Gifted Education & Academic Rigor Services / Young Scholars

Young Scholars

Young Scholars is Norfolk School’s middle years’ magnet program for highly motivated learners identified as gifted. This “school-within-a-school” is housed at Rosemont Middle School. A specially trained faculty will provide researched-based instruction that is challenging, differentiated, and supportive to the development of critical thinking skills and positive habits of mind.

               The program’s curricular design is built around seven instructional principles:

Learning through thoughtful processing of content information;

Differentiated instruction focusing on acceleration, depth, problem solving, and higher-order thinking;

Ongoing assessment using a wide range of evidence to inform instruction;

Enhanced and expanded content standards;

Development of academic skills and interests using the Autonomous Learner Model ( ALM), which fosters independence in meeting the unique needs of gifted learners;

Learning activities that students for the scholarly demands of high school and college and promote a lifetime love of learning;

Dedication to academic excellence.

Click to view/download the current Young Scholars brochure: Young Scholars Brochure

Click Young Scholars Showcase Presentation to view the presentation from lthe NPS Specialty Showcase on Dec. 1, 2022.

Application Process

Step One: Complete the Middle School Specialty Program Application packet.

Step Two: Select a product you created within the past year that demonstrates your creativity and/or research skills. You will be expected to present your product if selected to complete an interview as a candidate with high potential for success as a Young Scholar.

Step Three: Young Scholar candidates will be contacted to make an appointment to interview in March and present their product.

Step Four: Participate in the interview. Final acceptance letters are mailed in April.

Students must be identified gifted in general intellectual aptitude, or Math and/or Communication skills in order to apply. Final selections are chosen through a competitive application process.

Are You a Potential Young Scholar?

I am curious about many things and love to learn.

I prefer learning at my own pace, in my own way.

I willingly accept leadership roles and collaborate well with others.

I enjoy researching ideas using a variety of advanced resources.

I want to become and independent, self-directed learner.

I am extremely motivated to achieve in life.

I want to develop self-confidence and a positive self-concept.

I have many outside-of-school interests.

I want to learn how to express my own ideas more effectively.