Elgin High School Gifted and Talented Academy

From its foundation in 1997 as part of a district-wide initiative to meet the needs and interests of the students, the Gifted and Talented Academy is one of five academies offered at the high school level. The Gifted and Talented Academy is dedicated to providing a rigorous, innovative, meaningful academic environment to challenge the intellectual and creative abilities of gifted and talented students. Students will be provided with a broad spectrum of opportunities to extend and enrich the classroom curriculum through guest speakers, theater, summer programming, and fieldtrips during the school year to enliven the classroom experience. Students will be prepared to face challenges and make choices that will meet the complexities of today’s world, support a lifelong commitment to learning and encourage them to make use of their potential.

About the Program

Academy students tackle an intense curriculum with the latest learning materials with a unique focus to encourage the development of students' talents and interests. 

Students are admitted through an application and review process. Informational fairs are held at the high schools each fall and a call for applications is extended to eighth grade students. Selections are generally announced in mid-February. 

Any student in good standing who has the interest and ability to perform the academic and specialized work of the program is eligible to apply for admission.  Students must fill out an application form for the academy in which they are interested. Students are encouraged to talk to a counselor about enrollment in the academies.  

The Gifted and Talented Academy offers:

• Challenging and innovative classes
• Weighted grades in core subjects
• Advanced Placement classes
• Teachers with Gifted Verification and extensive classroom experience
• Community involvement
• Unique field trip opportunities, seminars, and speakers 

U-46 Magnet Academies Brochure

Parent Guidebook Gifted Education 

 Gifted & Talented Academy Shadow Day

May 6th & 7th

Preview Day 2021

Summer Reading

APHG Commercial

Loom Video

EHS Gifted & Talented Academy Faculty

Assistant Principal of Innovation & Gifted Talented Academy

Gamila Williams ext.8100 gamilawilliams@u-46.org

Administrative Assistant Maria Esposito ext.5101 mariaesposito@u-46.org

Mathematics

Kari Foerster x8131 karifoerster@u-46.org

Jaclynn Nail   x8129  jaclynnail@u-46.org

Richard Towry x8145 richardtowry@u-46.org  

English

Cristina Cabrera x5172 cristinacabrera@u-46.org

Lisa Smith x8195 lisasmith@u-46.org

Social Studies

John Devine x4853 johndevine@u-46.org

Felicia Randle x4825 feliciarandle@u-46.org

Adam Plach x4824 adamplach@u-46.org

Haley Gallagher haleygallagher@u-46.org 

Science

Mari Gathman x8157marigathman@u-46.org

Bridgid Trimble x8159 brigidtrimble@u-46.org 

Christine Osberg x8164 christineosberg@u-46.org