Middle grades are a critical time for mathematically promising students. National initiatives such as the Race to the Top grants and the Common Core State Standards have implications for all our students. Join us in the session for a focus on implications for our top students including a preview of the new NCTM/NAGC book, The Peak in the Middle, and explore activities from a full spectrum of challenging and articulated middle grades mathematics designed to help students become enthusiastic and engaged in mathematics, develop their mathematical talent, and enable them to make continuous progress throughout their academic careers.