The document describes The B.E.S.T. Academy, a school for gifted students. The school's mission is to deliver the highest quality education through advanced rigor and engaging teaching to create global citizens. It believes gifted students are underserved and aims to empower them as lifelong learners through a challenging program. The school will have small class sizes, highly qualified teachers, and state-of-the-art facilities and technology to foster an enriching learning environment for gifted students. It will be funded through operating gifts, government grants, and various business and foundation partners.

1. THE B.E.S.T ACADEMY
Better Education For Students With Various Talents

2. What Does “Gifted” Mean?
NAGC definition: “Gifted
individuals are those who
demonstrate outstanding levels
of aptitude (defined as
exceptional ability to reason and
learn) or competence
(documented performance or
achievement in top 10% or
rarer) in one or more domains.
The term is specifically defined
in some state codes, but may be
called "high ability," "talented,"
or other designation The field of
study devoted to understanding
these children and how to
provide for their development is
called "gifted education.

3. Rationale
• We recognize the responsibility for the provision of appropriate
instructional adaptations and services for students with
exceptional abilities.
• We are always researching ways to make a positive impact on
students, we have discovered that our nation’s brightest students
are arguably the most underserved and neglected in America’s
educational system.

4. Mission/Vision of The B.E.S.T Academy?
• Our MISSION is to help young people become successful learners and productive adults
by To deliver the highest quality educational experience where global citizens are born
through advanced rigor, engaging teaching methods, and a passionate climate and
culture.
• Our VISION is to be a leader and pioneer in the educational system by demonstrating
transformative methods and techniques that are embraced and duplicated by other
learning institutions.

5. Overall School Philosophy
• The B.E.S.T Academy believes that all students are entitled to a productive and equitable
learning environment, where identified gifted and talented learners are challenged
beyond the foundations already created in classroom settings.
• Renzulli has stated, “gifted behaviors take place in certain people (not all people), at
certain times (not all the time), and under certain circumstances (not all circumstances)”
(Renzulli, Three-Ring Conception of Giftedness, 1998). We at THE B.E.S.T Academy
recognize that different people can be gifted in different areas, sometimes in more than
one area, and that this giftedness can be cultivated through a rigorous program.
Furthermore, we are aware that “in education a growing body of research indicates that
the belief systems of teachers heavily influences their students’ possibilities for success”
(Blankstein, Failure is Not an Option, 2004, pg 17). The Gifted and Talented program in
the MU School District will be an outward display of that inner belief system.
• We believe that 3rd through 6th grade students with giftedness in core content areas as
a whole will be empowered to become lifelong learners through this program.

6. Our School Beliefs
• We recognize the responsibility for the provision of appropriate instructional adaptations and
services for students with exceptional abilities.
• We are always researching ways to make a positive impact on students, we have discovered that
our nation’s brightest students are arguably the most underserved and neglected in America’s
educational system.
• We gear our teaching models AROUND our student’s individual needs for success.
• We will give students opportunities to expand upon the foundations provided within the classroom
and to grow into lifelong scholars by encouraging the development of their own intrinsic motivation
to become active model citizens of our society.
• Participation in this program is expected to empower students to strengthen their behavioral and
cognitive abilities and expound upon their interests within core content areas.

7. How We Serve?
• We serve the very high exceptional ability learner in various viable ways beyond the classroom,
while continuing to challenge them beyond their academic individual threshold.
• Students will have to effectively interview with a variety of panels for admission.
• Co-ed Grades 7-12
• Student Enrollment: 500 max
• 10:1 ratio (Core classes) 13:1 (Elective classes)
• Students must score a minimum on a battery of tests to be considered for admission.
• Foster an atmosphere where students, parents, staff, and community members work together to
create a family environment for our learners.
• Tuition 25,000

8. Our Teachers
• Teacher selection: strive to find the best, brightest, most passionate educators
from across the country to teach in our classrooms.
• All teachers will have a higher degree beyond a masters degree.
• All teachers will have an assistant assigned to them to assist with the
workload.
• Teachers will have continuous professional development.
• Teachers will be involved in community projects that will serve and benefit our
academy.

9. Criteria for selecting teachers of the Gifted
• Knowledge of the discipline(s) and the steps to achieving
excellence in the discipline
• Knowledge of gifted students‟ characteristics
• Knowledge of a variety of instructional strategies
• Knowledge of appropriate curricular modifications
• Willingness to grow and change
• Ability to translate knowledge into practice

10. State of art facility with the latest
technology to help our students
advance to the next level.
Every student will receive a laptop
device to utilize for all school work
and class materials.
Each class will also be equipped
with the latest educational
technology tools to for student
learning.

11. Classes will be on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays from 7-4
with a rotating A.B,C,D schedule.
Tuesdays and Thursdays will be
“work” days for students from 8-1.
Students will be required to
volunteer in the community.

12. Funding Plan/Sponsors
• Our donors support new ideas and practices to strengthen teaching and
learning. Our goal is to fund and share successful strategies to educate and
prepare students for bright and rewarding futures. We have learned that the
best teaching methods come from our greatest assets: educators. educators to
enhance teaching and learning.
• Our funding is comprised of operating gifts from companies, individual donors,
parents, alumni, faculty, and staff.
• We will receive government grants to aid our program.

13. Business Partners/Donors
• THE NEW Foundation
• Endowment Funding
• Go Get it Foundation
• Sprint
• Delta
• Coca-Cola
• Pepsi
• Epson
• Oprah Foundation
• President Obama Educational Fund