Ralston presents HAL program expansion, project-based learning and acceleration options for gifted students

RALSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD — Sept. 22, 2025 — Teachers and HAL (high-ability learning) staff described how Ralston Public Schools identifies and serves gifted and high-ability students from elementary through middle school, emphasizing a three-path identification system, tiered services and project-based learning.

The presenters — including Britney Abler (Bloomfield), Karen Western (Meadows), Kaylee Allen (Mockingbird and Seymour) and Chris Rudemski (Wildwood Elementary and Wilson Middle School) — told the board the district uses three main avenues for identifying students: a third-grade CogAT cognitive-ability test, achievement/benchmark scores (FastBridge, MAP) and a teacher/parent-initiated portfolio review for students who show potential but do not meet standardized cutoffs.

Nut graf: The HAL team said the program blends in-class differentiation (tier 1), targeted pull-out enrichment (tier 2) and individualized acceleration (tier 3). The group also described project-based learning units, extracurricular opportunities, a revived summer HAL camp supported by a Ralston Schools Foundation grant, and middle-school accelerated math (prealgebra for qualifying sixth graders).

Program structure and services - Identification: CogAT (verbal, quantitative, nonverbal) at third grade; achievement scores with national-percentile thresholds (two scores in the 90th percentile within 12 months); and a portfolio-review pathway that accepts teacher or parent recommendations and uses a review committee. - Tiers: Tier 1 — classroom differentiation and teacher support; Tier 2 — pull-out classes in math, language arts and visual-spatial for grades 4–6 (and project-based learning); Tier 3 — individualized acceleration or personalized plans for highly advanced students. - Middle school: Qualifying fifth graders take an algebra aptitude test; selected sixth graders are placed in prealgebra/accelerated grade-7 math and may advance to seventh-/eighth-grade material. Presenters said the new accelerated curriculum is in its first quarter and performing well.

Project-based learning and enrichment - Themes: The HAL team said project-based learning (PBL) started three years ago; recent themes included "magic of learning," "everyday superheroes" (students raised over $3,000 for Nebraska wildlife and humane organizations) and this year's theme, "mystery of learning," which will include Finch robots (basic coding), forensic-science miniunits and cipher/breakout activities. - Summer camp: The district restarted a HAL summer camp for incoming sixth- and seventh-graders at Wildwood Elementary. Presenters said a Ralston Schools Foundation grant funded Finch robots used in the camp; students also worked with Spike Prime robots at the middle school. - Extracurriculars: Presenters listed robotics, National History Day, math club, quiz bowl, yearbook and other seminars and workshops; many offerings are open to non-HAL students by teacher recommendation.

Participation and scale Presenters estimated roughly 50–60 HAL students per grade level in middle grades and said combined rosters across buildings can vary; one presenter said the district's HAL-identified population was around 12% of the district when last calculated. In Q&A board members asked about tracking HAL students through high school; presenters said the district has begun tracking cohorts and achievement data to follow course-taking into high school.

Community partnerships and supports - Partnership example: Jim (district staff) described Glow Church's annual shoe distribution; he said this year's event distributed about 250 pairs of shoes with roughly 150 volunteers and that the district helps communicate the program to families and counselors.

Ending Board members praised the HAL team's programming and communications; presenters said they will continue to refine scheduling, share monthly newsletters with parents and monitor student progress as cohorts move into high school.