Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Services

For questions regarding Mount Airy City Schools
Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) services, please contact:

**The district AIG team is currently revising the district-wide AIG plan, which is a three-year plan effective from 2025-2028.

Current District AIG Team Members:

Dr. Penny Ballin, Director of Federal Programs and Innovation, Mount Airy City Schools

Alicia Henson, School Counselor, Mount Airy High School

Kelly Anders, School Counselor, Mount Airy Middle School

Phillip Riekehof, Assistant Principal, Jones Intermediate School

Eve Trotter, Assistant Principal, BH Tharrington Primary School

Interventionist, Jones Intermediate School

Catherine Dollyhite, Interventionist, BH Tharrington Primary School

What does AIG look like in each of our schools?

BH Tharrington Primary:

Classroom teachers provide student enrichment to ensure that all learners' needs are met while also providing a comprehensive educational experience
Inquiry-based learning with problem/project-based case
Differentiated assignments within the regular education classroom are designed by the classroom teacher
Opportunities for differentiation may include guided reading groups and flex groups (all content areas)
Across grade levels, work with inquiry-based learning (problem/project-based learning cases) may be strengthened with STEAM teacher experiences

Jones Intermediate:

Classroom differentiation by core teachers and interventionists through our co-teaching model
Some pull-out services are provided by the school interventionist
School-level math teachers provide core math instruction. This ensures the district is meeting House Bill 986- *Enrollment in Advanced Math Courses
Science and Math Fair
Differentiated assignments within the regular education classroom are designed by the classroom teacher
Opportunities for differentiation may include the following: Guided reading groups and flex groups (all content areas)
Across grade levels, teachers will facilitate learning with inquiry-based approaches
Advanced-level novel studies
Enrichment through hands-on STEAM learning experiences
Engagement in a variety of clubs including academic-based club activities at the school that have some opportunities for academic competitions (i.e.,Bear Book Society)

Mount Airy Middle School

6th and 7th grade- Advanced Math
8th grade- Math I, English I, Earth and Environmental (Science), and American History, which is high school level coursework that allows students to earn credit towards their high school graduation requirements
This ensures the district is meeting House Bill 986- Enrollment in Advanced Math Courses
Differentiated assignments within the regular education classroom, designed by the classroom teacher
Opportunities for differentiation may include the following: Guided reading groups and flex groups (all content areas)
Across grade level work with inquiry-based learning
Engagement in academic-based club activities at the school, including academic competitions available through NC Association for Scholastic Activities (NCASA)
NC Virtual Public Schools (NCVPS) coursework is utilized for AIG students only on an individual basis and only when all in-person course options within the school have been fully explored and exhausted.

Mount Airy High School

Advanced math coursework (Honors, AP) is provided by Mount Airy High School's highly qualified teachers. This ensures the district is meeting House Bill 986- Enrollment in Advanced Math Courses
Advanced math coursework provided by external service providers: North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS), Surry Community College (SCC)
College-level coursework for credit will be made available through Career and College Promise programming
Differentiated assignments within the regular education classroom, designed by the classroom teacher
Engagement in academic-based club activities at the school, including academic competitions available through NC Association for Scholastic Activities (NCASA)
Entrepreneur Competition (locally based competition with external partners), also known as YES Surry
Work-based learning experiences (internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing)