Hillsborough schools rank tops in Florida for participation in the Duke University Talent Identification Program, recognizing academically gifted students in their late elementary and early middle school years.

The program, which identifies students by their performance on college entrance exams, is one of Superintendent MaryEllen Elia's priorities. Since taking the helm, she has increased the number of seventh-graders identified as qualified to sit for the exams from 150 in 2005 to more than 4,800 this year. The parents of these students soon will receive a letter noting that their children are eligible for SAT and ACT tutoring.