AEAP Program Paused for the 2020-2021 School Year

June 9, 2020

To the Malden School Community,

At the May and June Malden School Committee meetings, the School Committee discussed programming for the 2020-2021 school year and voted to pause on applications for the Academically Enriched and Advanced Program (AEAP program, also known as the “gifted program”) for the 2020-2021 school year.

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the Committee did not want to place students in the AEAP program without giving them a full opportunity to demonstrate their readiness in light of the school closure during the pandemic. This will mean that there will be no new classroom for the incoming grade 1 program, as well as a pause on all application slots for the upcoming school year in grades 2-8. This move affects all grades levels of the program, but particularly the first grade as this is the largest entry point for the program. Upper grades generally see a few openings due to natural attrition. Should some of these classes need to be balanced out to ensure equitable numbers across a grade level, the school will redistribute Linden students to balance those affected classes for the 2020-2021 school year only.

During this upcoming school year, the Committee will evaluate the program through an equity lens and make a determination of the best way to move forward in subsequent years.

Sincerely,
John Oteri
Superintendent