Skinner Middle School staff and students are engaged in a single-minded pursuit of high academic achievement. Teachers provide instruction for all learners that is rigorous and engaging and extend the learning in their subject areas by encouraging students to dig deeper through assignment extensions. We also offer a robust enrichment program (see programming options below).
Each school day ends with a student’s designated Learning Family community where students receive additional academic support and practice exercising their social and emotional skills among choiced interests and needs. Skinner also conducts a survey with families and students to identify the affective needs of their gifted students to create targeted supports to aid in the growth and development of social emotional learning which aims to strengthen resilience, reduce anxiety, and enhance overall wellbeing. Every May, we host a “Skinner Cares Day” where we take a break from traditional learning and instead focus on our hearts and spirits. We believe that students at Skinner can make a difference inside and outside of our school community by learning a bit more about ourselves and each other.
At Skinner, the GT coordinator consults with all stakeholders to create meaningful and effective Advanced Learning Plan goals for gifted students centered around enrichment opportunities and project based learning. They support the facilitation of a variety of events/fairs which provide students opportunities to showcase their work on a school, regional, state, and/or national level. These events can often help meet the academic and affective needs of gifted learners.
Other services include identification and development of gifted and/or talent pool students, universal gifted screening of all 6th graders, individualized GT testing (nominations), and partnering with mental health providers and gifted department leadership to provide resources to the community.
For more information about gifted programming, please contact Skinner’s GT coordinator, Ms. Becca Glosser via email at rebecca_glosser1@dpsk12.net
Visit the DPS Gifted Education website
Gifted and Talented Programming at Skinner includes:
Skinner offers differentiation for gifted students through a compacted curriculum in this core subject area. Placement in these classes require teacher recommendations in addition to assessment scores. Curriculum includes grade level academic standards while working at a faster pace to include depth and complexity in the various topics covered. These classes are designed to meet the goals of the ALP (Advanced Learning Plan).
Grade level acceleration is available for students who pass an advanced math placement exam and require advanced instruction in math. This path places 8th grade students in 10th grade Integrated Math II, taught on campus by a Skinner teacher.
Skinner offers differentiation for gifted students through assignment extensions in this core subject area. Curriculum includes grade level academic standards which encourage gifted students to dig deeper into the various topics covered. These classes are designed to meet the goals of the ALP (Advanced Learning Plan).
Skinner scholars are able to choose elective classes based on interest. Classes include drama including participation in the DPS Shakespeare Festival, creative writing, YESS Mentoring, woodworking, family and consumer science, STEAM, Spanish, and audio production/choir. The jazz band performs in venues around Denver in addition to concerts at school.
All Skinner Scholars compete in the school science fair. Students receiving high scores for superior projects are encouraged to participate in the Denver Regional Science and Engineering Fair held at Auraria Campus each spring. Skinner has also had several students win distinguished project awards at this event, including scholarship money. Students have also advanced to the state level competition.
Skinner employs a full time STEAM teacher who works with all three grade levels. Students are able to advance through the curriculum at their own pace and increase base knowledge levels by choice and interest. The teacher collaborates with the science teachers to develop and implement STEAM lessons that use multidisciplinary techniques.
Girls Engineering STEM Convention. This convention is held every May for 7th/8th grade girls. The Society of Women Engineers sponsors this event. Students attend hands-on sessions in a variety of STEM activities to explore careers they may have not considered.
All Skinner Scholars compete in the school’s national history day competition. Students receiving high scores for superior projects are able to advance to the National History Day Colorado Regional competition held at East High School each spring. Skinner has had several students win distinguished project awards at this event. Students have also advanced to the state level competition.
This program is sponsored through the Community Resources program and is designed to pair students with a mentor in a career field the student is passionate about. Previous Skinner students have had mentorships with architects, web designers, songwriters, psychologists, and engineers.
Skinner Scholars in creative writing and/or drama courses have the opportunity to engage in a playwriting workshop facilitated by industry professionals from DCPA. The workshop is specifically designed for middle school students to activate their unique voices and introduce them to the fundamentals of writing a one-act play or exploring character through dialogue.
Gifted and Talented children are present in all student groups, regardless of gender, disability, English language proficiency, economic status, ethnic or cultural background.
Websites for GT Resources: