Gifted and Talented Program
Open the door to your future!!!

As the year begins, I'd like to encourage all of the seniors to begin planning now for scholarships  and letters of recommendation.  If you need assistance with your college plans, please see Ms. Gibbs as soon as possible.  My office is Room 105A.  Congratulations to all the Gifted/Talented students that joined National Honor Society.

Just a quick note to GT parents.  There is a Parent Study Group that follows the book, "Guiding the Gifted Child" by Dr. James Webb.  If interested please call the District 11 Gifted and Talented office at 520-2462, or Ms. Kris Gibbs at 382-6697, for more information.  Classes are on going till May 2004.  

The Gifted/Talented Program at Mitchell High School is dedicated to promoting high academic achievement for all students;  to providing meaningful and challenging learning experiences;  to facilitating talent development;  to encouraging social and emotional growth;  to supporting future planning;  and to developing habits of good citizenship.  The G/T Program is committed to developing life-long learners who value themselves, contribute to their community, and to succeed in a changing world.

Mitchell High School offers outstanding opportunities for all students and is directing its focus to students of exceptional ability.  Rather than students just "taking classes to fulfill graduation requirements," Mitchell will assist gifted students in developing a course plan that will build a foundation for the future.  The counselors, the Gifted/Talented Coordinator, the Honors Endorsement Coordinator, and the SAIL + (Plus) Coordinator are all available to guide students in the direction necessary to meet future goals and aspirations.  Mitchell's mission is to produce life-long learners who can access information, think critically, and communicate effectively.

SAIL+

Mitchell offers something for everyone.  As freshmen G/T students enter Mitchell, they are encouraged to apply to the SAIL+ Program.  SAIL+ is designed for academically talented and highly motivated ninth grade students.  Students are encouraged to maximize their potential in an educational environment tailored to meet their needs and abilities.  The SAIL+ Program is designed to challenge students while also providing individualized, academic guidance and goal setting.  The SAIL+ Program offers students an interdisciplinary learning approach, and the curriculum emphasizes an exploration of self, nature, and cultures.  SAIL+ is designed to appeal to students who are academically talented, highly motivated, and independent learners.  Risk takers, creative producers, and emotionally mature students should also find a place to shine in Mitchell's SAIL+ Program.

Honors Endorsement Program

As gifted students complete SAIL+, the natural progression for them is to enter the Honors Endorsement Program.  However, HEP (Honors Endorsement Program) is also open to students who do not participate in SAIL+;  these students need to complete the application process.  The Honors Endorsement Program is designed to provide a challenging education for students, commensurate with their needs, abilities, and goals.  HEP offers a wide range of options to students who would like to explore careers, participate in high level classes,  specialize in specifically designed class work, and create individual learning projects.  Students in HEP must maintain a 3.5 GPA.  Additionally, students must participate in a minimum of one school activity per semester, including athletics, school clubs, academic teams, forensics, or performing arts.  Students are required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of community service, with assistance from the HEP coordinator.  Students in HEP are counseled to complete core classes early in their high school careers in order to leave time in later years to specialize in any one endorsement area: academics; visual or performing arts; business/technology; leadership; or athletics.

In addition to SAIL+ and HEP, Mitchell offers a wide range of Honors and Advanced Placement classes.  Honors classes available include English, chemistry, world history, Latin, French, Spanish, German, biology, astronomy, physics, algebra, and accounting.  Advanced Placement classes include AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP English Language and Literature, AP French, AP Spanish, and AP United States History.  All students taking AP classes are eligible to take AP examinations in May, for which college credit may be granted.

Successful completion of a challenging academic program is the best preparation for college and work.  At Mitchell High School, students are encouraged to take the most challenging classes and to achieve their highest potential.  Mitchell can OPEN THE DOOR TO YOUR FUTURE AND GIVE YOU A PLACE TO SHINE.

Click Here for Mitchell's Course Catalog

For more information on any program or organization at Mitchell, please feel free to call Kris Gibbs, Gifted and Talented Coordinator, or Lynne Bartole, SAIL+/HEP Coordinator at (719) 328-6697

The parents, students and staff of Mitchell High School believe that all students will learn in our safe, academically rigorous environment, which is driven by high expectations and standards-based instruction. Our Staff will work with parents and community members in developing students who are responsible, literate and caring citizens. 

We value our diverse student body. We will collaborate in our learning community to address the various educational needs of our students. We accept no excuses for failure as we prepare students for post-secondary experiences.