In September 1998, Issaquah began a full day
gifted and
talented program at Apollo Elementary. The name MERLIN was selected by the
students and stands for Mind Education - Right and Left (brain) Integration.
The MERLIN program has expanded to two sites, Apollo and Endeavour Elementary Schools. The MERLIN program consists of three classes at each school: a third, fourth, and fifth grade. Once enrolled, students may continue from year to year, if they meet the MERLIN standards (expectations).
| Academic Goals |
 |
Social/Emotional Goals | ||
| Eligibility Requirements | Merlin Projects | |||
| MERLIN Expectations | Contacts | |||
•To extend the basic curriculum of the Issaquah School District to meet the needs of highly capable students
•To hold students to the high standards of academic excellence
•To develop creative and critical thinking and promote problem-solving through enrichment activities
•To develop the social skills that produce positive interaction with others
•To develop an environment that fosters respect for oneself and others
•To enhance the students' understanding of how they can contribute to the world
Enrollees must meet the following criteria: a score at or above the 97th percentile on an ability measure; scores above the 90th percentile on achievement tests in reading and math, with at least one of those scores being at or above the 97th percentile. A lottery process will be used for final selection, if necessary.
Once qualified, students and parents will be invited to meet the
teachers to talk about the program in June.
Vacancies in classes will be filled from the district's wait list.
All students who score at the 97th percentile on the ability measure are eligible for the elementary pull-out gifted program, SAGE, without the additional achievement testing.
Ron Thiele,
Executive Director of Elementary and Middle Schools
565 NW Holly
Issaquah, WA 98027
425-837-7026