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KLIF’s Morning News – Nonprofit weekly featuring Kristen Dauphinais, Co-Founder & President of the Board.

The Sage School of Dallas is proud to announce its new partnership with the Baylor Center for Talent Identification Programs (Baylor TIP) at Baylor University, expanding opportunities for Sage students to identify, develop, and pursue their individual academic talents.

Baylor TIP is dedicated to identifying exceptional talent in STEM and the humanities and providing advanced learning opportunities that match students’ abilities and potential. Through the partnership, Sage students and families gain greater access to Baylor TIP resources, including above-level testing, enrichment and accelerated learning programs, Super Saturday and summer programming, conferences and seminars, and personalized talent development advising.

Above-level testing can be particularly valuable for gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) students because it allows students to demonstrate what they know beyond the limits of traditional grade-level assessments. The results can provide families and educators with additional insight into a student’s strengths and help identify opportunities for appropriate challenge and continued growth.

The partnership also provides Sage educators with access to professional learning opportunities and resources focused on gifted education and talent development.

For Sage, the partnership with Baylor TIP reflects our continued commitment to recognizing each student’s unique strengths and providing meaningful opportunities for students to explore their interests, challenge themselves, and reach their full potential.

We are excited to bring these additional opportunities to our Sage students and families and to partner with Baylor TIP in supporting the development of exceptional learners.

Baylor TIP | Baylor Center for Talent Identification Programs | Baylor University

The Sage School of Dallas, the area’s first school dedicated exclusively to twice-exceptional (2e) learners, announced today that it has earned Cognia® Initial Accreditation, marking an important milestone in the school’s continued growth and commitment to providing an exceptional educational experience for gifted and neurodivergent students.

Cognia is a global nonprofit school improvement organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers. Cognia recognizes schools and systems around the world that meet rigorous standards focused on productive learning environments, equitable resource allocation, and effective leadership.

“Earning Cognia Initial Accreditation is an exciting milestone for The Sage School and an important validation of the work we are doing to create an educational environment specifically designed for twice-exceptional learners,” said Dr. Mandi Skerbetz, Head of School. “From the beginning, our goal has been to provide rigorous academics while recognizing that gifted, neurodivergent students often need a very different approach to learning and support. This accreditation reflects our commitment not only to what we have built, but to continually evaluating and improving how we serve our students.”

To achieve Initial Accreditation, institutions must demonstrate that they meet Cognia’s Essential Requirements, show a commitment to the accreditation process, and successfully complete an Initial Accreditation Review. Initial Accreditation is granted for a two-year period, during which schools have access to Cognia’s improvement resources as they prepare for an Accreditation Engagement Review.

Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia, said, “Cognia Initial Accreditation is a rigorous, but flexible process where we work with schools and systems at every stage—from pre-launch to fully operational—provided they meet our nine foundational Essential Requirements. These institutions undergo an initial review to ensure they are committed to improvement, and in their two-year initial accreditation period, they can leverage Cognia’s improvement resources to prepare for their Accreditation Engagement Review. We commend The Sage School of Dallas for beginning their improvement journey with initial accreditation and making progress on key indicators that impact student learning.”

The accreditation comes during a period of continued growth for The Sage School. Since opening in August 2025, Sage has established itself as a unique educational option for twice-exceptional learners in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The school serves students in grades 6–12 through a college-preparatory program that combines rigorous academics with individualized instruction and academic, social, and emotional support.

For the 2026–2027 school year, Sage has also moved into its new campus at 6411 LBJ Freeway in Dallas, providing expanded learning spaces designed to support both collaboration and individualized instruction. The campus includes six classrooms, a dedicated science lab, administrative offices, a newly remodeled full-size gymnasium, café, outdoor gathering space, and ample parking.

“Our growth is about much more than adding space or reaching milestones,” said Jessica Rall, Executive Director. “It is about building a school where twice-exceptional students are understood, challenged, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive. Cognia Initial Accreditation is another important step in that journey and reinforces the strong foundation we are building for Sage students and families.”

About The Sage School of Dallas

The Sage School of Dallas is a college-preparatory school serving the Dallas-Fort Worth community, uniquely designed for twice-exceptional (2e) learners in grades 6–12. Sage students demonstrate both intellectual giftedness and neurodivergence, which may include ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, General Anxiety Disorder, and Specific Learning Disabilities. The school provides an academically rigorous environment with a tailored curriculum and individualized instruction designed to support each student’s strengths and needs. Through a commitment to academic excellence, social development, innovative teaching, and personalized support, The Sage School helps twice-exceptional students thrive academically, socially, and personally.

About Cognia

Cognia is a global nonprofit improvement organization dedicated to helping institutions and other education providers grow learners, teachers, and leaders. Cognia offers accreditation and certification, assessment, and improvement services within a framework of continuous improvement. Serving 40,000 public and private institutions from early learning through high school in more than 100 countries, Cognia brings a global perspective to advancing teaching and learning. Learn more at cognia.org

The Sage School of Dallas Spreads Its Wings for Gifted Students. July 7, 2026, in People Newspapers.

https://www.peoplenewspapers.com/news/2026/07/the-sage-school-of-dallas-spreads-its-wings-for-gifted-students/

Teaching The Twice-Exceptional w/ Mandi Davis Skerbetz

Dr. Mandi Davis Skerbetz, co-founder of the Sage School of Dallas, has devoted her career to redefining education for neurodivergent and twice-exceptional students. She discusses the gaps she found across school systems, the challenges parents face choosing between academic and emotional support, and how Sage is proving what’s possible when a school is built for kids who don’t fit the mold.

https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/episodes/teaching-2e-students-sage-school

The Sage School of Dallas is excited to announce its relocation to a new campus at 6411 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75240, beginning in Fall 2026.

The move reflects the school’s continued growth and commitment to providing an exceptional educational experience for students who are both intellectually gifted and neurodivergent. The new facility will provide enhanced learning spaces and additional amenities designed to support the academic, social, and emotional development of Sage students.