Students from Saint Mary’s Catholic School have been invited to participate in Duke University’s Talent Identification Program. The Duke TIP search identifies academically talented students based on standardized test scores.

Candidates who qualify for Duke TIP in 7th grade may take the SAT or ACT beginning in December, and may become eligible for further enrichment through online resources and Duke’s Summer Studies Program. The Duke TIP program will follow up with a results summary comprised of information and recommendations to guide each candidate towards new and exciting educational opportunities.

According to the Duke TIP website, “Eligibility for enrollment is an honor and indicates outstanding intellectual ability. Traditional testing often fails to measure the variation among many gifted students who reach the upper limits of scoring on grade-level exams. Above-level testing at least two years above a student’s current grade placement offers gifted students and their families a far better understanding of how the student compares to his or her gifted peers and what level of educational challenge is appropriate.”

Eight students were selected from the 7th grade class at Saint Mary’s School.

Principal John Tarpley said of the candidates, “I am very excited that Saint Mary’s School has eight 7th graders this year who are being recognized by the Duke program. These are young people who have a strong natural intelligence, but they are also a product of the Saint Mary’s academic “partnership” that exists between the students, the parents, and the teachers at our school. There is a great academic benefit to be found when we all act together in a united way to engage in the educational process. Congratulations to these exceptional students.”