THOMASVILLE — The Thomas County School System has introduced a new program for gifted and high achieving students in grades five through 12.

Dr. James Rehberg, Thomas County School System director of gifted and talented instruction, will direct the MERIT (Maximizing Education to Realize Intellectual Transformation) program in conjunction with middle school and high school building administrators.

The program will consist of an academic team of students at each grade level in grades five through eight and a series of advanced courses for students in grades nine through 12.

MERIT students will receive advanced content and accelerated instruction in academic subjects with “Honors” classes for students in their identified area(s) of strength. MERIT will offer the most comprehensive and flexible academic options for gifted and accelerated study in the area, said Superintendent Dr. Dusty Kornegay.

The program will allow MERIT students to enroll in accelerated classes and select up to four areas for advanced academic study while continuing to be part of the same exploratory or elective schedule as their peers who are not in the accelerated program.

“The purpose of the MERIT program is to challenge students to achieve their maximum academic potential while providing a supportive learning environment for advanced study and recognition for outstanding academic achievement,” Rehberg said.

MERIT teams will offer students in grades five through eight the option to take “Honors” level classes in their area(s) of identified strength.

For example, there will be an accelerated class offered in mathematics for students who score at or above the 90th percentile in their grade in mathematics. The class is intended for students with a very strong interest in math or science and who are interested in seeking admission to highly competitive science or engineering programs after high school.

Students who enter the course sequence in fifth or sixth grade will be able to take two courses of college calculus before high school graduation. While this might not be a goal for every student, the path will be available for those who have the ability and interest to work at that level, Kornegay explained.

Beginning in sixth grade, students will receive an academic course in Spanish each year, allowing students who begin the program in sixth grade to earn two full years of high school Spanish credit while still in middle school. Middle school MERIT students will have an opportunity to earn high school credits in English, math, foreign language and science.

At the high school level, the MERIT Program consists of a program of study that includes a series of honors, advanced placement, and college-level courses.

To be considered a high school MERIT student, a student must complete a prescribed number of designated honors or advanced placement courses. Students who qualify may enroll in a program to earn a full college associates degree by the time that they graduate from high school.

Said Rehberg, “The MERIT program of study will foster an increase in academic rigor and, in turn, an increase in student achievement. It will provide ambitious and motivated students with opportunities to accelerate and excel while recognizing and celebrating academic accomplishment, community service and extracurricular involvement.”



Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820.