Edison Regional Gifted Center Admissions: How To Get In!
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many students compete for seats at the edison regional gifted center
Edison Regional Gifted Center, commonly referred to as Edison, is located in the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago and is part of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system. Edison was founded in 1975 and offers an accelerated and enriched academic program to students in kindergarten through eighth grades. Read on to find out if Edison is the right fit for your child.
Chicago’s Edison Regional Gifted Center | school Overview
Edison is a Regional Gifted Center, which is one of five different kinds of specialty schools that sit within the CPS system. Even though it has only been around for 40 years, it has already created a strong legacy that will last for years to come. Since its’ inception, Edison has welcomed thousands of gifted students and has helped them grow their abilities and thrive. It has graduated some of the most talented young individuals in the state of Illinois, preparing them to be disciplined and successful leaders in the community.
Edison is dedicated to its 275 gifted students and proves this commitment by its various programs and unique offerings. During the years at Edison, students will take courses such as literacy, math, social studies, science, physical education, and health, as well as a complete program of the French language. The Learning Resource Center supports all of students’ research needs along with their STEM classes. Students are encouraged to code and use technology, and the inquiry-based method is fully supported by all teachers.
Edison has a diverse community of learners and it promotes lessons to be experienced, not just taught. Students utilize the scientific method in their science classes and have the opportunities to use these skills across disciplines.
Visit the official Edison Regional Gifted Center website to learn more information about the school.
Regional Gifted Centers | Admissions Information
In order to be considered for admission to Edison, parents must fill out an application for their child as well as schedule them for the Regional Gifted Center exam. This exam is mandatory for all prospective students and is a crucial factor in being admitted into one of the selective enrollment schools in CPS.
An admissions test is also required when completing an application to Edison. In order to be eligible for this test, students in grades 5-8 must have a minimum of 60th percentile in their reading and math NWEA MAP tests. Students in grades K-4 have no requirements for this test. Students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) must score at least in the 50th percentile in ether reading or math on the NWEA MAP test and then a minimum of the 40th percentile in the other subject.
Applicants are chosen based on their admissions exam score, following all of the proper guidelines that are outlined in the admissions policy. Prospective students can apply online, at www.apply.cps.edu, or can fill out the Selective Enrollment Elementary Schools application on paper and mail it.
Edison Regional Gifted Center | Admissions Exam
Although the specific test that CPS utilizes for its selective enrollment schools is kept secret, it is often compared to a few other commonly used tests for gifted programs across the country. Three of these tests are the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT), the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT), and the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT).
The OLSAT focuses strictly on a child’s academic achievement by assessing their verbal and nonverbal abilities related to school. The test has 21 different question types which include skills such as following directions, setting up math problems, and making inferences when given certain information.
The NNAT is the other test that is commonly used when considering children for Gifted and Talented programs. The NNAT is unique in the fact that it is a completely nonverbal assessment, meaning that it assesses students’ raw intelligence without them needing to read, write, or speak. This test creates a level playing field for all children regardless of their first language or reading skills. The test is made up of critical reasoning and problem solving skills.
Similar to the OLSAT, the CogAT has varying levels for different students, depending on their grade, and these levels increase in difficulty in content. The test contains three sections that test a student’s verbal, nonverbal, and quantitative knowledge and abilities.
Edison Regional Gifted Center | How To Prepare For The Admissions Test
Due to the fact that the exact test is not revealed, it is best to practice a variety of problem types with your child beforehand in order to best prepare him or her for the Regional Gifted Centers exam. There are many resources available that will provide you with sample questions from the OLSAT, the NNAT, and the CogAT.
If you would like your child to become familiarized with the kinds of questions that will be on the test, click the button below.
A great way to practice these sample problems together is to read through them aloud and talk about the process of how to solve them. Encourage your child to tell you his thinking as he goes through a problem and share how he solved it.
If he gets stuck, talk about how you might think about it and encourage him to try various methods of solving.
By exposing your child to sample tests, you are helping her gain confidence in her test-taking abilities which is so vital for a child to be able to successfully complete the admissions exam independently.
How Can We Help?
At Origins Tutoring, we believe that preparation for the Edison Regional Gifted Center’s admsisions test does not have to be daunting and exasperating; instead, it can represent an important opportunity along a student’s path to learning mastery. Indeed, the perspectives and abilities acquired during preparation provide a foundation that can last throughout a student’s school career and beyond.
Our two-track approach to mastering content and improving test-taking skills means that students will not only thoroughly understand the fundamental concepts and skills tested by the test for the Regional Gifted Centers, but they will also excel in using essential techniques to improve attitude, endurance and focus.
Our students hone their independent thinking skills while developing a resilient mindset so they can perform on test day in a powerful, resourceful, creative and calm manner. Each student in our program receives the undivided attention and expertise of a dynamic and experienced coach who provides the framework to support each student on his unique path to becoming a master learner.
Please call 917.287.7927 now for a complimentary consultation to discuss how we can help your child achieve his or her personal best on the test.
What’s Next?
Learn everything you need to know about the NNAT2 and OLSAT, and look at sample questions from these tests directed at the pre-school set.
We have a few suggestions to help your child’s preparation for the Edison Regional Gifted Center admissions test that you may not know about. Read about our top test prep tips for the test here!
In addition, check out our in-depth article on the CPS gifted schools and discover everything you need to know about Chicago’s classical schools.
