• Intellectually gifted children and youth are those who perform or who have demonstrated the potential to perform at high levels in academic or creative fields when compared with others of their age, experience, or environment. These children and youth require services not ordinarily provided by the regular school program. Children and youth possessing these abilities can be found in all populations, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor. Gifted students may be found within any race, ethnicity, gender, economic class, or nationality. In addition, some students with disabilities may be gifted.

    Procedures have been developed and implemented to ensure that students who exhibit gifted characteristics are referred for gifted services. All second-grade students are observed as potential gifted referrals using a gifted behavior checklist provided by the State Department of Education. Students may also be referred by teachers, counselors, administrators, parents or guardians, peers, self, or any other individual with knowledge of the student’s abilities. For each student referred, information is gathered in the areas of aptitude, characteristics, and performance. The information is entered into a matrix where points are assigned according to established criteria. The total number of points earned determines eligibility for gifted services.

    Service delivery varies by grade level. For grades K-2, regular classroom accommodations are provided with consultation from a gifted specialist as needed. Grades 3-5 receive resource room pull-out services for 3 hours per week. The needs of gifted students in grades 6-12 are addressed through elective courses, advanced level courses, honors and AP courses, guidance, and counseling.