Press Release: Maryland Honors Six Schools For Gifted And Talented Programs

Schools Receive Awards At Reception During Gifted And Talented Education Month

For Immediate Release                                        Contact: Bill Reinhard, 410-767-0486

Baltimore, MD (February 3, 2016)

Maryland this month is honoring six schools with Excellence in Gifted and Talented Education (EGATE) School Awards, which recognize top elementary, middle, and high school programs.

Now in their sixth year, the EGATE awards spotlight gifted and talented programs aligned with Maryland Standards and regulations for Gifted and Talented Education.  Each EGATE nominee submits a comprehensive application, which provides documentation of 21criteria of excellence under four program objectives: student identification, curriculum and instruction, professional development, and program management and evaluation.

The 2015 EGATE schools are:

Calverton Elementary School, Prince George’s County Public Schools
Fountaindale Elementary School for the Arts and Academic Excellence,
      Washington County Public Schools (previously a 2010 awardee)
Hamilton Elementary/Middle School, Baltimore City Public Schools
Hampstead Hill Academy, Baltimore City Public Schools
Kenmoor Middle School, Prince George’s County Public Schools (previously a 2010 awardee)
University Park Elementary School, Prince George’s County Public Schools

In the six years of the award’s existence, 39 schools from 10 school systems have earned the EGATE status. Members from the Maryland Advisory Council for Gifted and Talented Education and local school system personnel review and score the EGATE applications, which document the school’s gifted and talented program activities over a 15 month period.

This year’s new EGATE schools will be recognized during Maryland’s Gifted and Talented Education month at a reception and awards ceremony on February 24 from 5– 8 p.m. at North County High School in Glen Burnie.

EGATE schools receive a citation from the Governor, and the EGATE banner to display on their school buildings and websites.  They host celebratory visits from Advisory Council members and MSDE staff and serve as models for other schools that want to achieve this status. 

More information on the EGATE School Awards Program is available at http://marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/programs/giftedtalented.  Schools interested in applying for the 2016 EGATE program will submit applications to MSDE for review by December 2, 2016. 

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