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Gifted Math Program

Intermediate District 287 Gifted Education Services through Northern Star Online is offering an advanced math program as an option for elementary and middle school talented math students during the school year. The Gifted Math Program is a combination of online learning with occasional online meetings. Qualifying assessment for students in grades 4 – 7 typically takes place during July and August.

Northern Star Online acknowledges the unique needs for support with students that are either gifted or advanced in their learning beyond their typical peers regardless of whether or not a student ‘qualifies’ as gifted. According to the Minnesota Department of Education:

“Gifted and talented children and youth are those students with outstanding abilities, identified at preschool, elementary, and secondary levels. The potential of gifted students requires differentiated and challenging educational programs or services beyond those provided in the general school program.”

Northern Star Online is committed to assuring that academically advanced students receive not only the academic support needed but the social-emotional and culturally relevant support needed as well.  Teachers receive professional development and ongoing coaching in the following areas:

  • gifted education
  • social-emotional strategies
  • culturally responsive teaching 
  • evidence-based instructional practices

Testing required to qualify for program participation:

A student must take a qualifying assessment or have taken a prerequisite course in order to be considered for the NSO gifted math program. These assessments and prerequisite courses are typically taken during 4th or 5th grade and are considered predictors of success in our program. We ask that guardians and school gifted coordinators provide documentation of a prerequisite course and/or recommendation from their home district.

NSO Gifted Math Assessment dates:

We are waiting for guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) regarding COVID-19 protocols for schools to determine specific assessment dates.

August 2020 (pending)
District 287 Service Center
1820 N. Xenium Lane, Plymouth 55441

Please note that students typically take 2-3 hours to complete the assessment.

Please contact Carlos Connell-Torres by Carlos Connell-Torres by email or call 763.550.7223 regarding interest.

How the Gifted Math Program Works

Northern Star Online provides both a Gifted math program and a regular secondary math track for students. Please review NSO Math options.

Using a combination of online course work, web conferencing, and classroom seminars, the courses involve a time commitment of 5 – 6 hours per week, replacing a student’s regular classroom math work.

Gifted Math 7 and Gifted Algebra 1: Students log in to the course system every day to complete assignments. Once-twice a week the students and teachers engage in a web conference.

Gifted Geometry: Students log in to the course system every day to complete assignments. Once a week the students and teacher meet face-to-face at a location determined by the teacher.

Algebra 2: Combined with the regular NSO Algebra 2 class, students work primarily online at their own pace, and can schedule online meetings with their teacher as needed.

The Gifted Math course can substitute for the regular math class the student would take at school, so there is no charge for the course. Northern Star Online is a state-approved online learning provider. Under the Online Learning Options statute, a student may enroll in an online course to substitute for a course during their regular school day. For more information on enrollment options, please visit www.northernstaronline.org.

Registration Process

More details coming soon.

If you receive a qualifying score on the exam, you will then need to complete the registration process to register for the appropriate class. This will also need to be reviewed and approved by a school representative to confirm your participation as an online student. Please review the preparation information on the NSO website as well to be sure you understand the parameters for working in an online course.

When the enrollment process is completed, you will be sent login information to the online course and more information on the first on-site meeting with the teacher.

Gifted Math Curriculum – Each course aligns with the Minnesota Graduation Standards

First year: curriculum covers the seventh grade Math Standards.

Second year: our Gifted Algebra 1 course covers the Algebra 1 (8th grade) standards.

Third year: Gifted Geometry is taught using the APEX learning system.

Fourth year: Algebra 2 is offered in the regular NSO Math sequence, using curriculum from the Apex Learning system.

Upon completion of the four-year program students will be prepared to take Pre-Calculus.

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Intermediate District 287

Intermediate District 287 is proud to provide Northern Star Online to Minnesota students on behalf of our consortium members:


Eden Prairie Public Schools | Edina Public Schools | Hopkins Online Academy
Minnetonka Public Schools | ISD 361 International Falls Public Schools | Northeast Metro 916
Richfield Public Schools | Saint Paul Public School | School District 112
SOCRATES (South Central Regional Area Telecommunications System) | TIES | Wayzata Public Schools


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