The Program for Exceptionally Gifted Students (PEGS) program identifies and serves exceptionally gifted students who reside in the Center, Hickman Mills, and Grandview School Districts.  Elementary students attend a full-time academic program appropriate to meet their unique instructional and affective needs.  PEGS continues as a part-time program at Center Middle School.

Who May Apply?
Students who meet all three of the following criteria are eligible to apply:

1. Reside in the Grandview, Hickman Mills or Center School Districts in Jackson County, MO.  Students must meet eligibilityrequirements for the gifted program of their home school district.  Students may then be referred for testing to determine eligibility for PEGS.  Approximately 0.5% of the population would meet PEGS eligibility requirements.
2. Are entering second through fifth grades or chronoligical ages for those grades. 
3. Score at or above the 140 on the WISC III or IV or Standford-Binet V. Selection criteria includes an additional cognitive measure, currently the Stanford-Binet L-M which is administered by the designated program psychologist.

PEGS Curriculum
The PEGS curriculum assures mastery of the basic knowledge and skills contained in the regular curriculum. In addition, PEGS provides an enhanced curriculum appropriate for exceptionally gifted students based on the following principals:

• Acceleration through curriculum compacting in response to each student's instructional needs.
• Advanced skills training in critical and creative thinking, research and content related skills.
• A focus on creative production as an outgrowth of a student's intense interest in a topic or a passion to solve real-world problems.
• Attention to the special affective needs of the exceptionally gifted child.
• Special mentorship for students with business and professional experts.
• Integration of PEGS students with regular education students for fine arts and physical education activities, lunch and recess.

Student Selection 
Students must meet specific criteria set forth by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  A cognitive measure, classroom performance, and other indicators of exceptional giftedness are used to identify students eligible for PEGS. 

Transportation
Parents are responsible for their child's transportation to and from school.

What Happens after Elementary School?
When students finish the 5th grade in the self-contained PEGS classes at Red Bridge Elementary School, they have the option to move to PEGS at Center Middle School or return to their home districts.

If you are interested in finding out more about the PEGS Program, you may contact Connie Isbell at (816) 612-4224 / e-mail: cisbell AT center.k12.mo DOT us.