IT ALL STARTS HERE...

Spartanburg Preparatory School 
Gifted and Talented Academic and Artistic Programs:
SCOUT, QUEST, and SOAR

Services by Program

SCOUT

SCOUT is our mini QUEST talent development program. 
The purpose of SCOUT is to recognize the potential of talent, both academically and behaviorally, focusing heavily on underrepresented groups of students. SCOUT is for students in grades K-2 who show above grade level academic potential, characteristics of being gifted, or a combination of both. 

SCOUT students spend anywhere from 1 hour - 5+ hours per week in the QUEST classroom with the QUEST teacher and older students who serve as mentors.

​SCOUT placement is determined by the Gifted Coordinator, along with the homeroom teacher using academic data and informal observations of behavior. This program is tailored to individual student needs.

QUEST

QUEST is the academic path of our overall Gifted and Talented program at SPS. QUEST serves students in grades 3-8 who are state identified using the identification requirements set forth*.  QUEST also consists of a Trial Placement option where the GT Coordinator, along with homeroom teacher input, serves a non-identified student who shows potential and characteristics of being gifted, academically and/or socially.  In the QUEST program, grades 3-5 students receive one whole day per week in the QUEST classroom in place of the regular education curriculum.  Additionally, QUEST state identified students spend their IAT (Individualized Advancement Team) block in the QUEST classroom daily.  QUEST students in grades 6-7 spend every day if IAT in the QUEST classroom in addition to their rigorous, Honors classes.  QUEST students in grade 8 spend their IAT block in the QUEST classroom two days per week. 

​SOAR

SOAR is the artistic path of our overall Gifted and Talented program at SPS.  SOAR is being implemented into our program over four years as follows:
2019-2020: Grades 6-8 Music and Art
2020-2021: Grades 3-8 Music and Art
2021-2022: Grades 6-8 Dance and Theatre
2022-2023: Grades 3-8 Dance and Theatre

In the SOAR program, students learn to expand on their artistic talents through multiple media of learning.  Eligible students will have SOAR class in the mornings before the regular school day starts.  Research shows that students who are invested in the arts perform better academically. Students who are eligible for SOAR will go through a referral, screening, and identification process just like QUEST students. The program will evolve to meet the needs of our students, school, and community over time. 
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Mrs. Kelly Waters
Gifted and Talented Coordinator and Teacher
"Expecting all students to learn from the same material is like expecting all students the same age to wear the same size clothing."
~Madeline Hunter

Welcome!  My name is Mrs. Kelly Waters, and  I am the Gifted and Talented Coordinator/Teacher at SPS. I am entering my 14th year of teaching, and I have been blessed with teaching across the world, literally. I have taught in Cherokee County, Germany, Montana, and now here!  My heart and passion is teaching and helping students reach their dreams one step at a time (or one big jump works, too).  I believe every child should be valued and treated with respect, and I believe every child should be challenged and stretched.  A strong education empowers a child and helps him or her make a positive contribution to our world.  I am dedicated to growing the SPS GT program through innovative teaching and creative scouting techniques.  Our program is competitive and committed to growing our students to full potential.  Come join our family!