Finch Elementary School

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome to the Atlanta Public Schools Gifted and Talented Education Program! I am delighted to have the opportunity to provide Gifted and Talented Education instruction to your scholars at William Finch Elementary School during the 2025–2026 school year.

This year, students will participate in a wealth of engaging lessons and activities that integrate multiple disciplines and align with both the Georgia Standards of Excellence and the APS GATE Program Instructional Standards.

At Finch Elementary, students will be served through the Resource Gifted Delivery Model (Pull-Out). This model emphasizes personalized learning, ensuring that each student has opportunities to apply their knowledge to new, complex, and authentic experiences. Instruction and activities will be designed to help students grow not only academically, but also in essential skills such as critical thinking and global citizenship, along with communication, innovation, self-direction, collaboration, leadership, creative problem solving, and digital literacy.

To keep students engaged and to further increase their achievement, scholars will have opportunities to participate in enriching activities offered by the school, including the Science & Engineering Fair, Technology Fair, Debate, Reading Bowl, Picture Bowl, Spelling Bee, Art and Writing contests, and other special programs. These experiences will provide additional challenges and platforms for students to showcase their talents, deepen their learning, and develop new skills.

We will start the school year with a classroom theme titled Guardians of the Wild: Exploring and Protecting Earth’s Endangered Life. During this interdisciplinary unit, students will become passionate explorers and protectors of the natural world. They will engage in hands-on projects, research, and creative challenges that foster a deeper understanding of endangered species, ecosystems, and conservation efforts — all while developing essential skills and a sense of global citizenship.

I look forward to partnering with you this year to inspire curiosity, challenge thinking, and cultivate excellence in every student. Together, we will make this year filled with discovery, growth, and achievement. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Mrs. R. Bolden, your school-based GATE Lead Teacher at rbolden@atlanta.k12.ga.us or via phone at (404) 802-4000. Please leave a message and allow up to 24 hours for a response.

Warmest regards, Mrs. R. Bolden Gifted and Talented Education Teacher William Finch Elementary School

"Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel” Socrates

Please visit the Atlanta Public Schools Gifted and Talented website for more information. You will find answers to frequently asked questions about how we identify, serve, enrich, and support gifted students: https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/Page/21037.