Gifted And Talented Program Coming To Queens Middle School

JAMAICA, QUEENS -- Come next fall, a handful of incoming middle school students will start Gifted and Talented classes in a Southeast Queens school.

The NYC Department of Education's Gifted and Talented program will be coming to a middle school within District 29 next year, State Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman announced on Wednesday at Community Board 12's monthly meeting in Jamaica.

Hyndman confirmed the program, designed to meet the needs of "exceptional" learners, would serve students grades 6-8 in a District 29 community school. She declined to name the mystery middle school, but hinted it would be announced "very soon."

"I can’t say where yet, but I've gotten the paperwork and it's definitely online to be starting by Fall of 2018," Hyndman said.

Hyndman, who represent's the state assembly's 29th district - including Jamaica, Laurelton, Rosedale, St. Albans, Addisleigh Park, Hollis and Springfield Gardens - said she hopes offering a G&T program within District 29 will entice parents to bring their children to the district.

The NYC Department of Education offers two types of Gifted and Talented education programs, which students begin testing into as early as Kindergarden. District G&T programs are typically located within district elementary schools and give priority to students who live in the district. Citywide G&T programs, on the other hand, don't give district residents priority and all students in those schools attend the G&T program.

"A lot of parents leave the school district when fifth grade comes to an end, so I'm pleased to say it's coming," she said of the new G&T program.

School District 29 - which encompasses Southeast Jamaica - has middle schools in Jamaica, Springfield Gardens, St. Albans, Hollis, Queens Village, Rosedale and Cambria Heights, according to the NYC Department of Education.

Click here for more information on The NYC Department of Education's Gifted & Talented programs.

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