The Enhanced Student Success Programme provides academic challenges and educational stimulation for those students who have superior academic abilities. In addition to providing enhanced programming in each of our classes, Sommerville offers a ‘gifted-style’ programme in both Math and English. The ESSP is an in-class programme for students in grades 1 to 8 which takes place throughout each subject in conjunction with teacher, programme director.

It is first necessary to identify those students for whom inclusion in the programme is a consideration. This process begins by teachers nominating students they feel possess the qualities required and for whom the programme would be beneficial.

A range of identification methods are applied in the selection process. Standardized test results, student work samples, ability tests and instruments that measure creativity and problem solving ability are all good indicators of a student’s suitability for the programme.

The goals of the ESSP programme are to foster:

Fluency - having a wealth of ideas and ways to express them

Flexibility - being able to see various or uncommon ways of approaching situations or solving problems

Originality - inventiveness

Elaboration - the process of expanding, and analyzing ideas

The overall aim of this programme is to provide the students with the opportunity to broaden and extend the learning process by participating in exciting and stimulating activities.