orlando gifted academy€¦ · mary ann dunn andrea hale tiffany mcrae ericka scheid-atkins jodi...
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1121 N. Fern Creek Ave., Orlando, FL 32803
Phone: 407-897-6410
https://orlandogiftedacademy.ocps.net
ORLANDO GIFTED ACADEMY
OGA PHILOSOPHY
The philosophy of Orlando Gifted
Academy is to provide
opportunities for gifted learners to
reach their full potential while
pursuing personal interests and
tapping into their strengths with
the support and guidance of a
caring and nurturing teacher/
facilitator.
PRINCIPAL Britt Despenza
LEADERSHIP TEAM Dawn Cannon
Mary Ann Dunn Andrea Hale
Tiffany McRae Ericka Scheid-Atkins
Jodi Wuthrich
GUIDANCE COUNSELOR Niccara Brown
Orlando Gifted Academy (OGA) was established by Orange County Public
Schools in 2018 to meet the needs of intellectually gifted students throughout
the district. It is the only public stand-alone magnet school for students
identified as gifted in the central Florida area. Orlando Gifted Academy
provides students with a rigorous and challenging academic curriculum using
standards-based instruction with differentiation. Teachers use the Florida
Frameworks for K-12 Gifted Learners to meet each students’ needs.
Students work individually and collaboratively with peers and are challenged
to think creatively and use problem-solving strategies to develop real-world
and applicable projects. Students learn to develop skills to defend their
thoughts and ideas, while communicating in a positive and respectful
manner. OGA allows students to learn and flourish in a classroom
environment where they are permitted to engage in independent learning
activities based on their interests. Students have the opportunity to deepen
their understanding of content through research and investigating open-
ended tasks.
Students are eligible to attend on the basis of full scale intellectual
assessments. Orlando Gifted Academy serves students in grades 2-6
(7th grade in 2020) with a current enrollment of 282.
Further advancement of the curriculum is completed through SEM-R,
M2M3, IIM Research, Junior Great Books, Orange County Virtual
School, field trips, and enrichment clusters.
OGA will be a LaunchED 1:1 Digital Learning School in the 2020-2021
school year, providing students access to world-class, digital tools and
resources that allow them to be collaborative, connected, critical
thinkers and problem solvers, and creative and innovative.
45% of Orlando Gifted Academy staff possess one or more advanced
degrees in their teaching areas.
POINTS OF PRIDE
Before/After School Clubs
Battle of the Books, Chess Club, Dungeons and Dragons, Girl
Scouts, Girls Running the OGA Way, Girls who Code, Lego
Club, Math Olympiads, Middle School Intramurals, Morning
Mile, Music Ensemble, National Elementary Honor Society,
National Junior Honor Society, News Crew, SECME,
Yearbook Club
Collab Lab
Located in the Media Center, the collab lab provides students
with opportunities to work together on innovative and engaging
activities. Students use out-of-the-box, self-reflective thinking.
The collab lab features collaborative work stations and
modular seating.
Enrichment Clusters
Students participate in enrichment clusters three days per
week, 45 minutes each day. Clusters focus student attention
on authentic learning applied to real-life problems. Cluster
activities are directed toward the production of a product or
service. Past clusters have included environmental studies,
newsletter production, animal kindness, space exploration,
mixed media, world drumming, and jewelry making.
Grants
$25,000 iRock Grant—STEM program for OGA and select
Title I schools that taps into their creative minds and makes
connections to possible career paths
$20,000 Lockheed Martin Grant for Project Lead The Way
$2,480 Duke Energy MSE Impact Grant for 3-D Printers
Makerspace
Students have the opportunity to work in the Makerspace,
located in the Media Center. It includes a Lego Wall, 3D
printers, Cricut, laser cutter, Sphero BOLTs, and littlebits Pro
Library
OWL Express
The Owl Express is a weekly print and digital newsletter that is
designed and directed by OGA students. Students provide
readers with upcoming events and a recap of past events.
OWL Pride
OGA encourages students to show OWLS pride each day.
Students are recognized weekly for being a Character Star.
Social Emotional Learning
Sanford Harmony is available to all teachers and supplements
the Health Florida State Standards.