• Overview

    At the Spencer Center, CPS’ most academically promising students blossom in a flexible, rigorous environment. 

    Gifted and exceptional students benefit from:

    • Latin classes to support students in understanding the linguistic roots of our modern culture
    • Project-based, hands-on learning incorporating problem-solving to bring academic concepts to life
    • Advanced Placement (AP) and College Credit Plus (CCP) offerings to prepare students for rigorous college courses

    At Spencer, a school community is built via

    • Project-based focus
    • Rotating electives
    • Student-led initiatives
    • Mindful attention to social-emotional development

    Who Can Attend the Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students?

    Students currently attending Cincinnati Public Schools, as well as in-district students in private, charter or home schools, are eligible to apply to Spencer Center if they meet these eligibility requirements:

    For Exceptional Students (grades 7-12)

    • Scores at or above the 85th percentile on the Iowa/TerraNova Reading test,
      OR
    • Scores at or above the 85th percentile on the Mathematics section of the Iowa/TerraNova test; in addition to scoring no lower than the 60th percentile on the Reading section of the Iowa/TerraNova test
      OR
    • Scores at 123 or above on the Inview Cognitive Skills Index,
      OR
    • Scores at 123 or above on the CogAT Student-Aged Score (SAS).

    For Gifted Students (grades 7-12)

    • Rank at the Superior Cognitive level on a cognitive abilities test
      OR
    • Score at the 95th percentile or higher in two of the following subjects on the Terra Nova or other standardized achievement test: Reading, Math, Social Studies or Science. One of the two subjects must be either Math or Reading.

    Advanced Placement Courses

    • U.S. History
    • American Government
    • Psychology
    • Biology
    • Calculus
    • Statistics
    • English
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Language

    Foreign Languages

    • Latin (Grades 5-6 and 7-12)
    • Spanish (Grades 3-4 and 7-12)