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Gifted Services

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Columbia Heights is a great place for bright children to learn! Our district is small, so we can accommodate individual students more flexibly than a large school system. Excel Services exist to provide appropriate academic challenge and support for high potential and gifted students.

We think of gifted services as a spectrum rather than something that a student is IN or OUT of. All students deserve to learn something new and be academically stimulated at school, regardless of how much they already know or how quickly they learn.

The teachers and administrators in Columbia Heights Public Schools have a list of beliefs about gifted learners and a list of specific goals related to their education. The processes of adjusting curriculum, instructional methods and identifying students with specific academic strengths is secondary to, and a result of our beliefs and goals. 

Available Programming

Grades K-5

For elementary students, CHPS offers flexible instruction and pacing through cluster classrooms in grades 2-5. Trained teachers have a group of identified students assigned to their classroom full time. 

Students not identified for gifted services are also challenged specific to their area of strength each day with appropriate levels of math and reading instruction.

After school, students can choose from free ENCORE enrichment courses.

Grades 6-8

Columbia Academy students are offered advanced core classes in  grades 6-8. Options include accelerated math, English, Social Studies, and Science.

Exploratory classes are available in the arts, theater, music, choir, band, visual arts, digital arts, physical education and engineering. 

After school, students can choose from free academic contests or free ENCORE enrichment courses.

Grades 9-12

We offer advanced core classes for grades 9-12.

  • Advanced Algebra
  • Pre-Calculus
  • AP Statistics
  • AP Calculus AB and BC
  • AP Biology
  • AP Physics
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP English Literature
  • AP Spanish Language
  • AP Studio Art
  • AP World History
  • AP US History
  • AP US Government
  • AP Comparative Government
  • ARCC math and science courses
  • AVID in grades 9-12
  • PSEO (Post-Secondary Enrollment Options)
  • Credit by Examination
  • An assortment of clubs, sports and activities.

Office of Teaching and Learning
763-528-4514
1440 49th Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421