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Gifted & Talented Program

Academic Program Options for Advanced High Ability Learners

At Okemos Public Schools, we recognize and honor the individual learning needs of each and every student. Our full-time Gifted & Talented Coordinator works with educators and families to identify students' needs, and our high-quality educators provide differentiation and acceleration to support the student’s learning. All of our program options are listed in the building course offerings. An overall summary is provided below:

Dual Enrollment

Dual Enrollment allows students to begin taking dual enrollment classes in the 9th grade and continue to take up to ten dual enrollment courses overall in grades 9-12. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) administers the Dual Enrollment Program. 

Testing Out Information

Okemos High School offers eligible students in grades 7-12 the opportunity to “test out” of any high school course by earning a qualifying score on district-selected assessments aligned with Michigan Merit Curriculum requirements, consistent with Michigan Merit Curriculum Law.

21f- Online Learning

The State of Michigan has taken action to expand digital learning options implementing Section 21f of the State School Aid Act. These options allow families  to request their child, in grades 6-12, to be enrolled in no more than two (2) online courses in place of a currently scheduled course.

MSU GATE Programming

Our close proximity to Michigan State University provides additional opportunities for student learning through the Office of Gifted and Talented Education (GATE). Students can enroll in year-long enrichment programs including Cooperative Highly Accelerated Math Program (CHAMP), Accelerated Study in Composition, English, and Narrative Discourse (ASCEND, previously ISHALL) , Amo Linguam Latinam (ALL), and Michigan’s Accelerated NihonGo for Americans (M.A.N.G.A). Some of these courses are offered on a rotating basis. MSU GATE establishes the academic criteria to determine student eligibility.

For more information on MSU GATE, please contact Jennifer Eddy at jennifer.eddy@okemosk12.net.

Wilson Talent Center

The Wilson Talent Center (WTC) currently offers 18 program options for high school juniors and seniors. Students attend WTC for half of a day and spend the other half at their local district. Students have the opportunity to earn high school credit (three credits per year), articulated and/or direct college credit as well as numerous state and national certifications. Programs are either one year or two. We also have many students who choose a one-year program their junior year and take another one-year program their senior year.

We offer programs in 12 different career clusters including:

  • Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources (BioScience Careers)
  • Architecture & Construction (Construction Technology)
  • Arts, A/V Technology & Communications (New Media)
  • Finance (Business & Risk Management)
  • Health Science (Health Foundations, Medical Assistant, CA-Patient Care Technician & Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation)
  • Hospitality & Tourism (Culinary Arts)
  • Human Services (Career Start & Cosmetology)
  • Information Technology (Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics and Programming & Mobile Applications
  • Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security  (Criminal Justice)
  • Manufacturing (Precision Machining and Welding Technology)
  • Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (Engineering Technologies)
  • Transportation, Distribution & Logistics (Automotive Technology)

OPS Advanced Math Offerings and Course Sequencing

Additional Programming Opportunities