Mission Statement

The San Jose Highly Gifted Magnet Center gives children of extraordinary intelligence an opportunity to learn, grow and develop to their maximum potential in an age appropriate setting.  Children that are highly gifted are each unique individuals.  Often these children are so creative and innovative that not only do they think “outside the box,” they don’t even realize that there is a “box.”  We, at the San Jose Highly Gifted Magnet Center, seek to provide an environment where these children can develop their amazing intelligence and talents and acquire the necessary fundamentals for using them in today’s real world.

The San Jose Highly Gifted Magnet Center is only one of the two elementary school magnets (the other being Eagle Rock) within Los Angeles Unified School District which are dedicated to children who have been tested and have achieved a score in the 99.9%. Because so few children actually meet this criteria, beginning in 2008, LAUSD allows for children who have achieved a score of 99.5% or above to apply and to be admitted to the magnet after all applicants at the 99.9 percentile are accepted and if space is still available. To be qualified for other gifted magnets, a student is not necessarily required to undergo objective testing and can be considered on the subjective recommendation of LAUSD personnel. Thus, San Jose Highly Gifted Magnet requires that its students reach objectively high achievement levels. Thus, our school is able to better able to tailor its curriculm to meet, educate and challenge the unique intelligence, creativity and skills of these students.

Program Description

 

San Jose Highly Gifted Magnet provides these growth opportunities in a variety of ways.

Through highly specialized and trained teachers.  LAUSD has provided additional training for the teachers at our school.  While these children may preset an unusual challenge in the typical classroom, our teachers are prepared to meet these challenges directly and to convert these challenges into the opportunities for each child. Our teachers have also received training from Dr. Sandra Kaplan at the University of Southern California who teaches how to developed specialzed gifted curriculums.

Through an enriched curriculum.  Every school must educate its students to meet the California standards.  These children can readily achieve this mark.  Our school ensures that not only do these children achieve the standard but, can apply the knowledge gained to its maximum benefit.  In order to accomplish this task, the curriculum is designed so that the basic material is accelerated where appropriate, additional and more advanced material and instruction are presented, there is an additional opportunity for discussion, thought development and critical thinking, and each student applies the learned material in a creative way.

Though supplemental activities.  We, at San Jose Highly Gifted Magnet, emphasize the whole child.   In addition to the LAUSD physical education program, our magnet parent booster organization provides supplemental physical fitness lessons.   It also provides a supplemental science program, as well as a theatre program in which the children learn and perform Shakespearean plays. This school year, 2007-2008, the booster is also providing a yoga/dance program and various field trips.