History

Thomas Starr King Middle School’s Gifted/High Ability Technology & Arts Magnet program is a small learning community with an enrollment of 500 students. The program, which began on September 1, 2000, was established to provide a high-quality educational experience for gifted/high-ability learners, which aims to produce classical scholars, those who embrace collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication and achieved by adopting a project-based, discovery approach to learning infused with art and technology. The program challenges students of ethnically diverse backgrounds with a rigorous academic program. The curriculum creatively integrates technology and art into the core subjects and elective classes. Students enthusiastically collaborate as they develop high-level thinking and in-depth research skills while they learn the joy of intellectual challenges. Successes include academic achievement, grade-level cross-curricular projects, integration of both art and technology into the classrooms, and a college-ready, growth mindset in our students. Our team motto of “Initiative and Imagination” captures the essence of our students–lifelong learners who are curious, dedicated, driven, and creative.