CMS Advanced Studies

Gifted Education Gem #5: We don't just find talent; we grow it. Programs like YET University are designed to frontload and nurture potential in our youngest learners before they even reach formal identification. We universally screen; shouldn’t we universally nurture?

💎Gifted Education Gem #4: Talent is Everywhere. CMS is committed to equity by using universal screening for all 2nd graders and multiple pathways for identification, ensuring every student has a chance to shine regardless of their background.

Today, our IB Coordinators are front and center - leading, learning, collaborating and supporting! These rockstars have gathered for our March IB Coordinator Collaboration, and we love that they dive deeply into the work. Today’s session allowed them time to practice modeling for teachers and plan future school-based professional development. IB Coordinators are the ❤️s of our programs, and their commitment helps to strengthen IB implementation within .💪🏾

💎Gifted Education Gem #3: Article 9B (N.C.G.S. § 115C-150.5-.8) in North Carolina mandates that public school districts (LEAs) identify and serve Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) K-12 students. It requires local school boards to develop, implement, and update three-year AIG plans to provide differentiated education beyond the regular curriculum.

📘Have you read our CMS 2028 AIG Plan?

💎Gifted Education Gem #2: Gifted learners exist in every school. You do not have to be in a choice program or specialized program to be gifted. Gifted students are served in every CMS school.

💎Gifted Education Gem #1: Gifted is not about being “done early.” It’s about needing different instruction. AIG learners thrive with depth, complexity, and meaningful challenge. CMS provides K-12 students with a full continuum of services for gifted and advanced learners.

Governor Josh Stein has proclaimed that it's Gifted & Talented Education Awareness Week across North Carolina!

Our department will be posting "gifted education gems" all week to help spread awareness. Follow along!

💎It’s Gifted and Talented Education Awareness Week in North Carolina!

March 8–14, 2026

Gifted students are often described as “doing fine, ” but families and educators know the truth is more complex.

Many gifted and advanced learners need different pacing, deeper thinking, emotional support, and meaningful challenge—not more work, but different work. Gifted Awareness Week is an invitation to notice those needs, celebrate the educators who meet them, and take simple actions that help gifted learners thrive.

You don’t need a megaphone to advocate. You just need a moment a day.

Stay tuned for a 7-day call to action—one small step each day that helps build understanding, connection, and support for gifted education.

Why This Week Matters
Gifted Awareness Week isn’t about saying gifted students are more important. It’s about acknowledging they need different support to grow into healthy, capable adults. When we notice, thank, learn, share, connect, ask, and engage—we create a community where gifted learners are understood, challenged, and supported.

✨ Small actions. Big impact. All week long.

🚘International Baccalaureate (IB) school visits in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools are underway! IB Coordinators are leading visits as part of a review of their schools’ Program Development Plans. PLCs are being visited and IB Coordinators are providing updates about how their work, which is aligned to the 2025-2026 IB Plan of Action, has progressed this year. It's easy to see IB in our schools every day!

📝Students at explored the Dust Bowl through document analysis and the
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📚We enjoyed seeing Ms. Hyden, AIG Teacher, in action and challenging students!

Reminder for Families & Staff

Tuesday, March 3, is a Teacher Workday.
There will be no classes for students.

We’ll see everyone back on Wednesday, March 4!