What is the application process?
The Five Step application process is detailed here and includes:  application, assessment, interview, school day simulation, and decision. The District will not accept any outside assessment as part of the application process. 

Where is the program be located?
The Navigator Program is located at two elementary schools, Excelsior and Scenic Heights Elementary. It occupies one classroom at each school.

Who are the students eligible for the Navigator Program?
The Navigator Program is open to exceptionally gifted students ages 8-11 (grades 3-5) with an IQ of 145 and above. For entrance into Minnetonka’s Navigator Program, a student must meet several requirements. Each student will be considered based on his/her unique characteristics, learning style, needs, etc. In general, the exceptionally gifted student demonstrates very high levels of:

• Processing speed (four times that of the average student)
• Focus in interest areas (long attention span for age)
• Intensity
• Ability to delve deeply into curricular topics
• Intellectual curiosity
• Capacity for memorization

Minnetonka staff will work to make sure each student admitted to the program will achieve their highest level of success in this environment.

What grade levels does the program accommodate?
In its inaugural year, the Navigator Program will serve students ages 7-11 (grades 2-5).

How many students will be accepted to the program?
All Minnetonka students who qualify and for whom the program is a good academic fit will be accepted. These students will come from all six of the District elementary schools. They will make up four sections (two at Excelsior and two at Scenic Heights) with 18-23 students in each.

Can open enrollment students apply for the program?
Only students presently enrolled in Minnetonka Schools may apply. Open enrollment students must apply for open enrollment status for the 2011-12 school year before their application will be considered. 

Who staffs the Navigator program?
The program is staffed by three full time teachers, Janetta Gong, Ali Alowonle and Sandy Katkov. All teachers have experience and training in the field of teaching exceptionally gifted students. In addition, a part-time paraprofessional supports students at each site. Existing District Language Immersion teachers support world language education in the program.

How will the program be funded?
This program will be funded through the District’s regular operating budget. Start-up costs are minimal and are equivalent to opening an additional classroom within a school, with the exception of testing and identification costs, which are budgeted at approximately $300 per student.

How does the Navigator Program impact the existing High Potential program?
In 2007, the District enhanced the High Potential program and increased High Potential staffing at each elementary school. The District commitment to that program continues. The Navigator Program will likely provide additional learning materials, knowledge, lessons and expertise to further strengthen the existing High Potential program. In addition, moving exceptionally gifted students to the new program will free up High Potential staff time for other High Potential students.

What is the curriculum?
The existing Minnetonka curriculum will be utilized. However, the students will progress through it at a much quicker pace creating the need for additional materials. Supplemental curricular resources will be derived from various resources including Mentoring Minds and ALEKS for math, the FOSS System for science, Jr. Great Books for language arts, Paideia Seminars for humanities and many other sources. Project-based learning, self-directed study, technology resources and service learning projects will be key components of instruction in the program.

Is there a difference in the teaching method for exceptionally gifted students?
Each student in the Navigator Program will have an individual learning plan (ILP). The program will provide individualized learning appropriate for these highly focused, self-directed learners. In addition, the teaching methodology will incorporate:

• Thematic, interdisciplinary instruction
• Inquiry based, real-world problem-solving
• Experiential learning
• Emphasis on social/emotional development
• Depth and breadth of subjects

Is transportation provided?
Families who live within the boundaries of Excelsior or Scenic Heights Elementary Schools will have normal bus transportation. Families living outside of these boundaries will need to either provide their own transportation to and from school or opt to transport their children to existing bus routes designated for either school.

Why do we need this program when we already have high potential services?
The Navigator Program accommodates a small, very unique group of learners. The needs of these students, including academic, social and emotional needs, cannot be met in the regular classroom setting or even in the high potential programs. Based on extensive research, creating an environment suitable to educate these exceptionally gifted students will lead to:

• Significant achievement gains
• Improved social growth when grouped with intellectual peers
• Elimination of student isolation

The Navigator Program is an important piece of achieving the District’s mission to ensure all students envision and pursue their highest aspirations and achieve their highest potential.

Will exceptionally gifted students interact with peers?
The District recognizes the need for students of the Navigator Program to maintain a level of peer interaction on a regular basis. Students will integrate with their peers during specials, such as Art, Music and Physical Education and at lunch and recess.

What if my student is in Language Immersion?
Chinese and Spanish language instruction will be provided to support second language acquisition for students entering from a Language Immersion program. The instruction will not be full immersion, but will continue the goal of language fluency at the accelerated processing rate at which these students are capable of learning. World language instruction will be provided by teachers already employed by the District.