Idea Program (Gifted)

Greetings,

Welcome to Idea, Darien's Gifted Program.  The name, Idea, was created when the program was founded decades ago by a group of students. It is an acronym for Interesting Dimensions that Extend Abilities.

The Darien Public Schools recognizes the diverse needs of all students through the differentiation of a robust and rigorous curriculum that is engaging, meaningful, creative and cognitively complex. Differentiation and choice exist within the general education program to serve all students. The Darien Public Schools also recognizes that gifted students require specialized instruction due to their high intellectual ability and exceptional demonstration of the following traits: original or divergent thinking, curiosity, abstract reasoning ability, passion for learning and creativity. Idea provides rigorous, enriching, interdisciplinary programming to students in grades two through eight.

Thank you for your interest in the Idea Program. 
 

Sincerely,

Jennifer Falcone, Program Director for Gifted Education

Cara Martin, Hindley, Holmes and Tokeneke Elementary Schools

Andrea Aaron, Middlesex Middle School and Ox Ridge Elementary Schools 

Michele Mattera, Middlesex Middle School and Hindley Elementary School

Lindsay Goltzman, Royle Elementary School