• Regular community schools include a cluster program for gifted students
  
• Schools for Advanced Studies
  
• Magnets for gifted and highly gifted students
  
• Conservatory of Fine Arts
  
• Honors and Advanced Placement classes
  (middle and senior high schools)
  

Program Designs
Most of the District's identified gifted students participate in programs at the neighborhood local school. There are several options available that are designed to provide a differentiated curriculum so that students attain optimal levels of learning. Curriculum experiences for gifted learners are planned, implemented, and evaluated in order to maximize student potential. Goals and objectives are determined at the local school by administrators, teachers, parents, and students by means of needs assessments. Teachers of gifted/talented students "differentiate" the core curriculum through various means, including flexible groupings, acceleration of content, independent study, tiered assignments, interest centers, learning centers, compacting in student's area of strength, mentorships, adjusting questions, honors, advanced placement courses, and use of above-grade-level resources. A local school program must comply with a more rigorous standard providing differentiation as an integral part of the regular school day.

Learning Enviroments
These program designs are based on the number of students, personnel involved, availability of local resources, and program funds.  The school programs may include one or a combination of the following:

Special Day: Homogeneous class(es) for a minimum school day.  Classes for students who have like abilities and interests.
Part-Time Grouping:   Classes conducted outside the regular classroom for a part of the school day or on Saturday.
Enrichment: Supplemental educational activities conducted within the regular classroom but provided by someone other than the regular classroom teacher.
Cluster: Grouping students within the regular classroom for instruction by the regular classroom teacher.
Independent Study: Special tutors or mentors or enrollment in correspondence course.
Acceleration: Placement in advanced grades or classes.
Postsecondary: Advanced Placement classes or part-time enrollment in university.

Cluster Models
The regular local school "clusters" students in one of the following models to ensure maximum opportunities for peer interaction in flexible learning groups:

Model 1 -- Team-Taught Cluster: Consists of two or more teachers working as a team with flexible grouping and regrouping strategies in core subjects: math, social studies, language arts, and science. Schools offering a program for students in visual and performing arts would offer advanced-level experiences.
Model 2 -- Full Day: Consists of clusters in elementary school (class period in middle or senior high school, usually designated as Honors or Advanced Placement) and are composed of (1) identified gifted students, (2) students who are being screened for recommendation, (3) students who are recommended for continued screening and advanced instruction.
Model 3 -- Self-Contained: Consists of all identified gifted students with an emphasis on acceleration and a continuous progress that is appropriate to individual needs, i.e., highly gifted or individualized honors programs.
Model 4 -- Alternative Program Model: Some schools have unique circumstances or requirements and cannot meet the clustering options that are defined above. These schools may describe an alternative clustering model that addressed their unique needs. (Model is subject to approval by Gifted/Talented Programs.)

Advanced Placement (AP)
Available at all high schools, the program is a cooperative endeavor of secondary schools, colleges, the College Board, and Gifted/Talented Programs. It offers 31 AP examinations in 34 college-level courses. Recent legislation provided for Advanced Placement (AP) Fee Reduction to benefit low-income students to take AP exams; the AP Challenge Program offered at 43 high schools to provide equitable access for students to become competitive for admission to any university.

Non-Magnet Centers 
(Offer self-contained classes to identified highly gifted students with a score of 99.9% on an intelligence test administered by an LAUSD psychologist.) No transportation is provided and application is made directly to the school:
Carpenter Elem., (818) 761-4363. Emphasizes individual academic abilities, needs, and interests; development of problem solving, research methods and critical-thinking skills, advanced mathematics, extended oral and written language, science, and creative arts.
Middle schools: Emerson, (310) 475-8417 and Reed, (818) 762-0691. Offer a three-year Individual Honors Program (IHP). A rigorous-accelerated academic course of study for eligible students to pace themselves and pursue own interests. Includes math, English, science and social studies, intensive writing and literature, foreign language, logic, creative analysis, art, and computer skills. Electives in music and technology.

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