IDS-CC Students Selected for Duke University Program

Nineteen students from Independent Day School-Corbett Campus were selected this year to participate in the 2011-2012 Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP).

Duke TIP's 7th Grade Talent Search is the largest program of its kind in the nation. Duke TIP identifies academically talented seventh graders based on standardized test scores achieved while attending elementary or middle school. Candidates are then invited to take the ACT or the SAT as seventh graders, which allows them greater insight into their academic abilities. In addition, they gain valuable benefits and resources for gifted students.

The IDS-CC students qualified for the Duke Tip program by scoring at or above the 95th percentile on a standardized achievement test. Students at IDS take the Stanford Achievement Test annually beginning in second grade. The highest of either the fifth or sixth grade scores determined their eligibility.

Of the 19 students who participated, three students received state-level recognition from Duke TIP for their outstanding scores.

IDS students who received state recognition are: Camille Dodson, Shivani Saini, and Nikhil Saligame.

Other IDS students who participated in the Duke TIP: Marissa Bridges, Elisa Cimmino, Max Cordell, Russell Duncan, Morgan Graff, Alicia Grand, Ethan Heinberg, Tanner Heinberg, Maggie Kratzer, Lauren Leach, Ben Miller, Josh Nadler, Leonel Ochoa, Gabe Paggio, Jordan Payne, and Alex Wood.

“At IDS, we do focus on building critical test-taking skills – be it for annual standardized tests, high school entrance exams, or routine classroom tests,” said Betty George, middle school division leader.

In addition, George said, teachers use curriculum to meet the needs of students.

“We implement multiple brain-friendly learning strategies derived from the most cutting-edge research available," she said. "We call it the M.O.R.E. approach, which stands for Multiple Options for Results in Education. This approach provides us, as teachers, with a plethora of ways to meet the individual needs of every student enabling all students to develop their abilities to the highest levels.”