Press Release

Morey Middle School Will Host Highly Gifted Program

Morey Middle School will serve as home for a newly consolidated highly gifted program beginning with the 2001-2002 school year.

After a lengthy discussion, the Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday for the Morey option. A proposal to locate the program at Grant Middle School didn't muster enough votes.

The motion approved by the Board means transportation will be provided to Morey (840 E. 14th Ave.) for those students accepted into the program. Enrollment will be open to students identified as highly gifted or students achieving at or above the 90th percentile (or the equivalent) on qualified tests.

The program will serve up to 250 students. A program manager will be selected and a start-up budget of $30,000 for books and materials will be provided. The current status for the highly gifted magnet programs at Baker, Place and Smiley - which includes transportation - will end.

"This is one of those wonderful cases where you have a number of positive opportunities," said Board member Les Woodward, who opted for Morey because of its location near downtown cultural and governmental amenities. It was a "very, very close call," he said, between the two choices.