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- About GTC
GTC Program Announcements
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Gifted Talented and Creative (GTC) 7th & 8th Grade Gifted Program
Applications for the 2024/25 school year for our Gifted, Talented and Creative program for 7th and 8th graders hosted at Highland Junior High are now open. Please complete the application below.
Application Form - Gifted, Talented & Creative Program
Junior High Gifted – GTC Program
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GTC (Gifted, Talented and Creative) at Highland Junior High School
Gilbert Public Schools expanded gifted services for 7th and 8th graders through the GTC (Gifted, Talented and Creative) Program at Highland Junior High School by providing a differentiated learning experience addressing the individual needs of gifted students. The classrooms will offer enrichment experiences and a more rapid learning pace in an environment where curricula matches the gifted child's unique learning style. Their curiosity, creativity, intensities, sensitivities, and advanced learning styles will be embraced and appreciated by their teachers. A classroom of like-minded peers with teachers who understand and enjoy the gifted learner will result in a healthy atmosphere where a child can flourish intellectually, socially, and emotionally. Students will be with other gifted peers for the core subjects of language arts, social studies, math, and science.
GTC Eligibility:
A qualifying score on a state-approved gifted test of 97 or higher in one of the areas: Verbal, Quantitative, and/or Nonverbal
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A qualifying score on a state-approved gifted test of 95 or higher in two of the three areas: Verbal, Quantitative, and/or Nonverbal
OR
An IQ score on the state-approved list for identification of gifted students of 128 or above
GTC Highlights:
- Academics
- Cross-curricular experiences
- Accommodating students learning styles
- Students choose their electives
- Depth and complexity
- Project-based culminating projects
- Teaching
- Qualified teachers who have a gifted endorsement or provisional
- Teachers will instruct the core content areas for 7th and 8th graders in the program
- Other Services/Opportunities at HJHS
- Counselor for social-emotional support
About Highland Junior High School
- A+ School
- Exemplary performing arts/music
- After school clubs include: Athletics Club, Best Buddies, Chess Club, Code Club, Drama Club, LEAGUE of Extraordinary Writers, National Junior Honor Society,] Student Council, Scrapbook Club, 3D Printing
- Athletics include: Flag Football, Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, Softball, Cross Country, Wrestling, Baseball, Track and Field, Cheer
Students who are currently in the gifted program at Highland Junior High School will transition to Highland High School. This decision was made due to the academic options and performing arts offerings
Transportation
Regional bus stops are available.
GTC Program Applications
Applications for the 2023/24 school year are now open.
Applications will be considered in the following order:
- Students who are siblings of students who are currently in the Self-contained Gifted Program or GTC Program.
- Students residing in the Gilbert Public Schools boundaries or who are currently attending a Gilbert Public School.
- Students who reside outside of the Gilbert Public Schools boundaries or who do not currently attend a Gilbert Public School.
- Out of District Students Only: Out of district students are welcome to apply if they meet District eligibility (as noted above).
Out of District Students Only – In addition to the application, please submit the following information to the Gifted Department:
- A copy of your child’s most recent intellectual assessment results: Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) or other state of Arizona approved assessment or IQ tests administered by a licensed Psychologist/Psychiatrist
- Twice-exceptional students receiving special education or 504 services must attach: Copy of current IEP and most current special education evaluation report or copy of 504 plan.
- Applications will be accepted upon completion and submission of all forms.
GPS Gifted FAQ
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How are students assessed for Gifted Identification?
Great effort is made to provide the most appropriate placement for every child attending Gilbert Public Schools. GPS currently utilizes the state approved CogAT Form 7 computer-based assessment to identify students for Gifted Services.
Students who score in the 97th percentile are eligible for Gifted Services and will receive information about the services available at their enrolled school site.
Gilbert Public Schools universally screens all enrolled 2nd graders in early spring. Screening is completed by your child’s classroom teacher during the regular school day. Students and their families who qualify for additional testing will be notified individually by the student’s enrolled campus.
Gifted Contact
Lisa Creaser, Gifted Coordinator 480-497-3420
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What is the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)?
The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is a group-administered assessment intended to estimate students' learned reasoning and problem-solving abilities. The test is divided into three independent batteries: Verbal, Quantitative and Non-Verbal. All three batteries appraise inductive and deductive reasoning.
Each battery also appraises additional cognitive abilities that specifically relate to that battery:- Verbal: Picture Analogies--Sentence Completion--Picture Classification
- Quantitative: Number Analogies--Number Puzzles--Number Series
- Non-Verbal: Figure matrices--Paper Folding--Figure Classification
Scores indicate the relative standing of a student in comparison to other students in a particular norm group. The percentile rank designates the percent of students in the norm group who earned scores that were the same as or lower than a particular score. For example, if a fourth-grade student receives a 92 percentile score on the Verbal Battery, it means that 92% of fourth-grade students in the standardization sample received scores lower than the score achieved by this particular student.
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How can my child be considered for Gifted Testing?
Students in grade 2 will be screened as part of their grade level program by their classroom teacher. Families who do not wish to have their child participate in the universal screening may opt out. For students not enrolled in Grade 2, there is an online form (found on the individual school's website under Classrooms, Gifted Education), that may be completed by the parent/guardian to request consideration for Gifted Testing. This request is routed to your student’s elementary school to process and consider. Each individual campus manages these requests and will notify parents and/or guardians.
Information regarding your school's process can be found by contacting your child's school.
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My child was tested in another school district. Do those scores count?
Scores from other districts will be evaluated by the Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment Department. Gifted scores must be a result from an ADE State Approved Test and align with Gilbert Public Schools Gifted Criteria.
To have your student's Out of District Gifted Testing Results evaluated, please send to:- Contact Lynn Emerson, District Test Manager, at 480-497-3392 for email instructions
- Mail to: Gilbert Public Schools, Lynn Emerson, District Test Manager Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment, 140 S Gilbert RD, Gilbert, AZ 85296
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Is summer Gifted Testing Available?
Gilbert Public Schools does not offer summer Gifted Testing.
