Introduction
Students who qualify for elementary Extended Learning Program (ELP) attend an ELP resource room one day per week. The resource room may be located on site at the student's school, or at a nearby school. For those attending off-site, the district provides transportation. Classes are taught by teachers specially trained to work with gifted children.
Elementary school ELP lessons focus on such topics as oceanography, futurism, inventions, space, robotics, critical reading, writing, computer science, and technology. All of these topics are used to teach the primary objectives of critical and creative thinking skills, research skills, problem solving, literary awareness, communication skills, teamwork, and self-sufficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions about elementary ELP classes
- How will ELP classes help my child?
- Are there any extra costs for being in the program?
- Is there a support group?
- Are there any resources to help me understand and support my gifted child?
- How do students transition from elementary ELP to junior high? What programs are available?
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How will ELP classes help my
child?
These classes allow students who are academically and intellectually gifted to improve their higher-level thinking skills. In these classes, emphasis is placed on critical and creative problem-solving, independent research, and self-development. Students learn to apply these higher-level thinking skills across disciplines and integrate ideas across different subject areas.
Are there any extra costs for being in the program?
In ELP, there are usually field trips at least once per year that have a cost associated. Families are usually asked to pay the cost and may recover the expense using the Arizona Extra-Curricular Activity tax credit on their Arizona tax return. Families needing assistance in paying for these field trips can contact the ELP teacher to see if funds are available.
- Is there a support group?
Yes. The Mesa Supporters for Gifted and Talented (MSGT) is a local parent support group. This group schedules speakers and coordinates events that help parents understand the needs of their gifted child. Click on the "Resources" tab above for more information.
- Are there any resources to help
me understand and support my gifted child?
The ELP teacher for your school has resources to share about gifted children. Also, there are books and links on this website and many others that provide helpful information. Click on the "Resources" tab above.
- How do students transition from
elementary ELP to junior high? What programs are available?
Students wishing to take ELP classes in junior high must turn in an application. Students already in elementary ELP do not have to qualify for junior high ELP. Students will be placed in ELP English and Social Studies classes, which meet daily.
Students in elementary ELP may wish to take accelerated math classes when they attend junior high. A district test will be used to determine math course placement (Accelerated Math, Algebra I or Algebra II). Contact the junior high counselor for more information.
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Qualification Process
Referral: Students may be referred for ELP qualification by their parents, their teacher, or themselves. Parents interested in having their child take the qualifying test can talk to the child's teacher, or the school's ELP teacher representative to obtain a test permission form. Students may also request testing. Parents must provide permission prior to testing.
Students qualify for the Extended Learning Program (ELP) by testing into the top 3% of students nationwide in at least 2 of the 3 areas tested: Verbal, Quantitative, and Non-verbal. The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is the primary instrument used for testing. If for some reason the student does not meet the requirements and further testing is warranted, another state-approved test may be used.
Testing for Elementary ELP usually occurs in May for the following schoolyear. Students in grades 2-5 may be tested. If for some reason the student is absent during testing or is new to the school district in the fall, they can attend the make up test session given within the first few weeks of school. Parents will be notified of the outcome of the testing in a timely manner. If the student qualifies, information and forms for the program will be sent to the student's parents. Parental permission is required for the program.
Students transferring from another school district: if the student was tested with a state-approved nationally ranked test, they may use these test scores for qualification to the Extended Learning Program. Further testing may be required.
Once students qualify for the ELP program in Elementary school, they do not need to retake the qualifying test again. Students in ELP are required to maintain attendance to continue in the program.
For other exceptions or questions, contact the ELP Director.
ELP Locations & Contacts
The table below lists the ELP teacher contact for all the MPS Elementary schools. If the ELP location is different than the child's school, transportation will be provided from the home school to the ELP location on the school's ELP day. Parental permission is required for taking the bus to the ELP location if different from the student's school.
To quickly find your child's school in the table, click on the first letter of the name of your child's school:
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