Gifted Education

WELCOME TO THE ‘MAJOR WORK’ GIFTED EDUCATION PROGRAM

AT THE CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT

We are the longest running all inclusive gifted education program in the United States. Our services include full-time, self-contained classrooms where our identified students are taught together with teachers certified in gifted education. We also provide pull-out resource rooms in fifteen of our schools where the students are serviced a few days per week.

History of the Gifted and Talented (Major Work) Program

In October 1921, the Cleveland Public School System began its first program for gifted children at Denison Elementary School where gifted children in grades four, five, and six participated. This program was supported by the Women’s City Club of Cleveland.

From 1921 to 1927, fourteen elementary and two junior high schools were established as centers for gifted children. In the decades of the 1940’s and 1950’s, the Cleveland Public Schools developed and articulated a program for gifted pupils from the primary grades through high school.

Thus, from a modest beginning, the program, which at one time was called the “greatest experiment in education,” has grown and developed into a program that currently provides enriching educational experiences for over 2,500 children with high intellectual and/or academic ability.

Overview of the Gifted Education Program in CMSD

The Gifted Education Program in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District consists of the ‘Major Work’ Program, currently in grades 2-6, the Honors Program in grades 7 and 8, and the AP Program at the high school level. There are five schools that service gifted identified children in a self-contained, single-classroom setting. The Advanced Placement (AP) courses vary amongst high schools.

Gifted Pull-out Resource Rooms servicing gifted identified children are offered at fifteen of the District’s Schools in grades 2-5 (or 2-6 in select schools).

Contact Us:

Lucille Komichak, Gifted Coordinator K-8

Office of Gifted Education

1111 Superior E, #1752
Phone: 216.838.0131
Cell: 216.502.0957
Fax: 216.436.5058
Email

Mary Ellen Carras, MA, Curriculum & Instruction Manager
Secondary Gifted Education, AP and Career & College Readiness
East PD Center, 2nd Floor - Rm 210
1349 E. 79th St., Cleveland, OH 44103
Phone: 440-223-7152
Email