There is a screening process at the beginning of the year for all students in second and third grades to find students who may qualify for AIG services. Another way to be considered for services is to be nominated by a parent or teacher using the packet available from the AIG Lead Teacher. To qualify for AIG services, a student must take an aptitude test, an achievement test, and an adult must complete a checklist of characteristics of giftedness. This data is compiled and a determination is made if a student qualifies for services. In primary grades students who qualify for services will be in cluster groups or enrichment classes.
All schools have school nurses, counselors, psychologists, and social workers to assist students.
Our classroom teachers use resources from the Museum of Life and Science and the Creative Arts in the Public Schools Program with the Durham Arts Council to enhance their instructional program. Students from Durham Academy come over to tutor our students. Hope Valley Elementary School sits on 15.9 acres of land off University Drive and was completed in July 1999. It's 79,630 square feet include three classroom wings and a central corridor housing the media center, art room, music room, gym, cafeteria, and administrative office complex. The PTA is working on a five-year landscaping plan so that the exterior beauty will match that of the interior.