Gifted and Talented

The Rochester Accelerated Math Program (RAMP) is a program to provide students with a more challenging math curriculum while in middle school. During November and December of Fifth Grade, students and parents choose whether to take Math 6 or Pre-Algebra. Most students will find Math 6 to be the most appropriate placement. However, if your child demonstrates high achievement (at least the 75th percentile on NWEA/FAST in math, high scores on classroom assignments and tests) and has the desire to work hard, you may wish to consider Pre-Algebra.

Double Acceleration

Students who meet the criteria for double acceleration may opt to take Linear Algebra (Eighth Grade math) in Sixth Grade. Middle school gifted specialists will contact parents of students who have met the criteria for double acceleration.

Criteria for double acceleration for sixth grade is below: 

Middle School English/Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies classes offer honors option. Honors option provides all students the opportunity to engage in higher levels of critical thinking, be exposed to righ content, and to communicate what they know using analysis, synthesis, and creativity. 

• Honors option classes will provide high-level instruction for all students and support for students as needed.
• Students will not need to sign up or register for honors option classes; any student who wants to do honors-level work will have the option throughout the year.
• Students can opt in or out of honors-level assignments, projects, etc. throughout the year based on readiness or interest.

• The middle school honors option classes ARE NOT high school classes taught at the middle school, therefore, students enrolled in these courses will not earn high school credit by taking these classes.

The District strives to provide rigorous and active coursework that also addresses all of the Minnesota state standards. The ultimate goal is to blend challenge and success for all students.

UMTYMP (pronounced "umm-tee-ump") is an accelerated mathematics option for students who are highly gifted in mathematics. The experience students will have in the program is unique: class sizes are small, the scope of the curriculum allows students to cultivate both a rich depth and breadth of mathematics, the length of the program is shorter than comparable programs, and successful students will be granted honors level college credit for the courses taken in UMTYMP in the last three years of the program. This program is a branch of the larger UMTYMP program conducted on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus by the Math Center for Educational Programs. For more detailed information on the program, visit the Math Center for Educational Program's website on UMTYMP.

The Highly Gifted Program is a school within a school located at Dakota, John Adams, and Kellogg Middle Schools. The program is designed to meet the unique educational, social, and emotional needs of highly gifted students in grades 6-8 while still allowing the students to participate in a regular middle school experience.

• The program provides rigorous content at an accelerated pace.
• An open enrollment option is available to students who do not live within the Rochester School District.
• Student selection is based on assessment measures determined by the Office of Student Advancement of Rochester Public Schools.
• Highly gifted students will take part in three advanced subject disciplines: science, social studies, and language arts. Math classes are determined by students' math levels (Math 6, Pre-Algebra, Linear, or beyond).
• Additionally, highly gifted students will participate in standard offerings such as music, physical education, and exploratory classes.

Non-Public School Students - Spring Opportunity for Non-Public School Students to Qualify for the Highly Gifted Program:

• Rochester Public Schools is providing an opportunity for current non-public 5th, 6th, or 7th graders to potentially qualify for the Middle School Highly Gifted Program at Dakota, John Adams, Kellogg, or Willow Creek for the 2023-2024 school year.
• Highly Gifted Program Information
• Click HERE to register for the Non-Public Highly Gifted Portfolio Assessment. Deadline to register is May 1, 2023.
• Testing date, time, and location: The Highly Gifted Portfolio will be administered to current non-public 5th, 6th, and 7th graders on May 12, 2023 from 8:20-12:20 pm at the Edison building (615 7th St. SW, Rochester, MN 55902).

RPS Students - 5th Grade Highly Gifted Portfolio Registration for the Fall of 2023 (due by September 29th, 2023)

• This opportunity is for any Rochester Public School student in grade 5 during the 2023-2024 school year who would like an opportunity to take the Highly Gifted Portfolio to potentially qualify for the Middle School Highly Gifted Program.
• Highly Gifted Program Information
• Click HERE to register for the 5th Grade Highly Gifted Portfolio Assessment in the Fall of 2023. Deadline to register is Sept. 29, 2023.

RPS Students:  6th-8th Grade Highly Gifted Testing Registration for the Fall of 2023 (due by Sept. 10, 2023)

• This opportunity is for any Rochester Public School student in grades 6-8 during the 2023-2024 school year who would like an opportunity to test to potentially qualify for the Middle School Highly Gifted Program.
• Highly Gifted Program Information
• Click HERE to register for 6th-8th grade Middle School Testing in the Fall of 2023. Deadline to register is Sept. 10, 2023.