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Gifted Education

Gifted students have unique academic and emotional needs that must be met in order for them to grow and develop. Our mission is to provide each gifted student with access to an educational system that meets those unique needs through a commitment to equitable identification, dedicated gifted professionals in each building, and a focus on quality instruction. Gifted Education is part of the Curriculum and Learning Design Department.

The Gifted Education program is based on referral for consideration and subsequent assessment. A referral can come from many sources at any time during the school year. 

The Exceptional Children's Educational Act (ECEA) defines "gifted" children as:

Those persons between the ages of four and twenty-one whose aptitude or competence in abilities, talents, and potential for accomplishment in one or more domains are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational programming needs. Gifted children are hereafter referred to as gifted students. Children under five who are gifted may also be provided with early childhood special educational services. Gifted students include gifted students with disabilities (i.e. twice-exceptional) and students with exceptional abilities or potential from all socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural populations. Gifted students are capable of high performance, exceptional production, or exceptional learning behavior by virtue of any or a combination of these areas of giftedness:

  • General or specific intellectual ability
  • Specific academic aptitude
  • Creative or productive thinking
  • Leadership abilities
  • Visual arts, performing arts, musical or psychomotor abilities 12.01(16)

New to GT? Start here

Questions? ask.gifted@tsd.org

 "Gifted education program at Thompson schools receives high marks from state"