The Baldwin County School District announced today that four students: Elaine Abella, Tucker Ivey, Riya Patel and William Turner, have qualified for the prestigious Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP.)

Elaine Abella, Tucker Ivey, and William Turner are all students of Oak Hill Middle School with Riya Patel a student of the Georgia College Early College, a special program of the Baldwin County School District.

“Our school district is filled with academic standouts at all levels,” said Superintendent Dr. Noris Price. “These young scholars demonstrate the effectiveness of our teachers to identify and reach students in ways that accelerate their ability to thrive academically with the support of their families. We are all incredibly proud of their achievement and all of their hard work.”

Each year, Duke TIP identifies a group of academically talented students in the United States based on their exceptional grade-level standardized test scores. Only those who score at or above the 95th percentile qualify. Those students are invited to participate in the 7th Grade Talent Search and to take the ACT or SAT, which are designed for college-bound eleventh and twelfth graders. Taking an above-grade-level test is an experience that allows these gifted seventh graders to more accurately gauge their academic abilities and potential, as they need more advanced examinations than they find in their grade level.

Participants in the 7th Grade Talent Search also receive a variety of support services and gain access to research and other information about using their academic abilities more effectively.

About TIP: The Duke University Talent Identification Program is a nonprofit educational organization that is recognized as a leader in identifying and serving the educational needs of academically gifted youth. Through identification, recognition, challenging educational programs, information, advocacy and research, Duke TIP provides resources to gifted students, their parents, educators, and schools to help gifted scholars reach their full academic potential.