MA GIFTED EDUCATION
State-Level Information
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Academically Advanced Education | Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education "Promoting High Achievement: Policies and Programs for Academically Advanced Students in Massachusetts in Massachusetts" 2002
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Academically Advanced Teacher License | Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, ended in 2017
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Profile of Massachusetts | Davidson Institute for Talent Development
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Profile of Massachusetts | National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)
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"The Wicked Smaht Kids: Seeking an Adequate Public Education for Gifted Elementary and Secondary Students" by Brenna Ferrick in Massachusetts UMass Law Review, Vol. 10, January 2015
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A Washington Post analysis in 2015 found MA is the smartest state in the union based on estimated IQ, SAT scores, ACT scores, and percent of the populace who are college graduates.
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The NCES, National Center for Educational Statistics gives percentages of students identified as gifted in 2004 & 2006. MA is at the bottom with less than 1% identified. At this time, Vermont was the same as MA. Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, South Carolina, & Virginia have the most students identified ranging from 12 to 14%.
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Is there a Gifted Gap? research from the Fordham Institute says in Massachusetts only 5.3% of schools have gifted programs. The national average is 68.3%
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Students Enrolled in Gifted Programs by State 2015-2016 Office of Civil Rights Data Collection CRDC
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Equal Talents, Unequal Opportunities by Jonathan Plucker et al, published by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Private Schools Emphasizing Education for Gifted Students
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Acera School (Winchester, MA)
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Barrington Christian Academy (Barrington, RI)
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Birches School (Lincoln, MA)
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Boston University Academy (Boston, MA)
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Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science (Worcester, MA)
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The Brighton School (Framingham, MA)
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The Phoenix School (Salem, MA)
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The Sage School (Foxboro, MA)
Homeschool and Enrichment Resources
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GiftedAndTalented.com
(online education, formerly Stanford EPGY)

Massachusetts Districts Reporting
Gifted Programs
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Arlington Public Schools | Academic Challenge and Enrichment at Ottoson Middle School
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Bedford Public Schools | Gifted and Talented/Schoolwide Enrichment Program
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Brookline Public Schools | Enrichment and Challenge Support (ECS) Program
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Fitchburg Public Schools | Advanced Academic Learning Initiative
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Hatfield Elementary School/ "Falcon's Nest" Enrichment and Gifted & Talented Program (They also have school choice)
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Quincy Public Schools | Advanced Placement Center for Middle School Students
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Tri-Town School Union | Topsfield Advanced Academics Program and Extended Studies Program (Middlefield, MA)
If you know of a school or program for gifted students not featured on our list, please email admin@massgifted.org.
Updated 11-19-2020
Districts with Earlier Kindergarten Entrance Age Requirements
According to http://www.doe.mass.edu/kindergarten/entry.aspx on Aug 6, 2019
BE SURE TO CHECK with each district to be certain this is up to date!
Listing of age requirements of all MA districts:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/kindergarten/entry.aspx
Age 5 by:
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Brockton - Age 5 by December 31st
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Chicopee - Age 5 by October 1st
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Lee - Age 5 by October 1st
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Lincoln - Age 5 by October 1st
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Martha's Vineyard - Age 5 by October 1st
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Old Rochester - Age 5 by December 31st
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Pittsfield - Age 5 by December 1st
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Southern Berkshire - Age 5 by December 31st
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Sudbury - Age 5 by October 1st
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Wareham - Age 5 by October 1st
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Worcester - Age 5 by December 31st
Several charter schools allow entrance to Kindergarten by Age 4 dates
Age 4 by:
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Benjamin Banneker Charter Public - Age 4 as of August 29
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Boston Renaissance Charter Public - Age 4 as of September 1
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Bridge Boston Charter School - Age 4 as of September 6
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Codman Academy Charter Public - Age 4 as of September 1
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Community Day Charter Public School - Gateway (District) - Age 4 as of August 26
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Community Day Charter Public School - Prospect (District) Age 4 as of August 27
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Community Day Charter Public School - Webster (District) Age 4 as of August 26
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Dudley Street Neighborhood Charter School - Age 4 as of September 1
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Lawrence Family Development Charter - Age 4 as of August 27
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Lowell Community Charter Public - Age 4 as of August 26
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MATCH Charter Public School - Age 4 as of September 1
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Neighborhood House Charter - Age 4 as of September 1
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UP Academy Charter School of Dorchester - Age 4 as of August 27