About Capitol Hill Gifted & Talented

At Capitol Hill we are passionate about educating gifted children. We realize the unique needs of gifted students and work to provide appropriate levels of instruction in order to maximize the potential of every child.

Our school is the district magnet for gifted and talented students. Learners here experience an academic program that challenges and builds on student strengths, passions and interests in core subjects as well as science and the arts.

Elementary students can participate in an array of music programs including band, orchestra, choir and Suzuki strings; other activities like Science Olympiad, science fair, geography and spelling bees, debate, History Day and Word Masters take place during the day or after school.

At the elementary level, Capitol Hill has specialists in science, visual arts, drama and physical education as well as music, and students participate in a variety of local, state and national competitions. Admission for grades 1-5 is based on identification of gifted/talented status through assessments given in kindergarten and second grade.

Grades 1-5: Advanced Learner/GT identification process to be eligible to apply to Capitol Hill:

Advanced Learner/GT identification info-SPPS

Additional Assessment information:

SPPS-TDAS Assessment information

Talent Development & Acceleration Services website: SPPS TDAS Website

Email: tdas@spps.org or call 651-325-2506 if you have more questions about the advanced learner/GT identification process.

Grades 6, 7 & 8:

There is no eligibility requirement needed. Enrollment is open to all to apply.

School History
Mission and Vision

School History

In 1978, the Saint Paul Public Schools Board of Education established "NOVA", a full-time program for academically gifted and talented students. Originally, this Gifted and Talented (GT) program was housed within Chelsea Heights Elementary School. NOVA was made possible with a grant provided by the Saint Paul Foundation and substantial support from educational specialists at the Minnesota Department of Education.

By 1985, the NOVA program had expanded and was relocated to be the sole occupant of J. J. Hill Elementary School. The name of the school then became J. J. Hill Gifted and Talented Magnet School.

The GT program remained at J. J. Hill until 1991, when it expanded to include a junior high and was moved to the newly renovated Rondo Education Complex. At that time, it was renamed Capitol Hill Magnet School. Today, the program continues to serve academically gifted and talented students in grades 1-8 and remains at the Rondo Education Complex.

Mission and Vision

The School Board of the Saint Paul Public Schools originally established what is now Capitol Hill as a full-time program for gifted students. The sole mission of Capitol Hill Magnet School is “challenging academically gifted and talented students in a diverse school community.”

There are three major components to successfully meeting the goals embedded within the school's mission:

Students who are academically gifted and talented (and who need a specialized setting in order to achieve their fullest potential) must be identified
A school community that recognizes, accepts, and embraces diversity must be maintained
The educational modifications that it takes to truly meet the needs of these exceptional learners must be provided.

Capitol Hill can operate optimally only with the full inclusion of all three of these key components.

560 Concordia Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55103

Phone: 651-325-2500

Grades: 1-8
Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Staff Directory

Marcus Freeman

Principal - Middle/Jr

School: 651/744-2751