Frequently Asked Questions
1) How does my child get into the gifted program?
In 2nd grade, there is a district-wide child find process which evaluates a variety of strengths and talents among students. If children do not place in the gifted program in 2nd grade, they may be re-evaluated in later years.
Parents can refer their children for gifted evaluation, but the child must be at least 6 years of age. Referrals should be made through the GATE Teacher, who will manage the referral process.
2) My child is bored in class. What do I do?
The first step in advocating for your child is to talk with the classroom teacher. If you would like the GATE teacher to attend the meeting please let the general education teacher. Help both the GATE teacher and the classroom teacher understand what interests and engages your child and assist them in problem-solving to challenge the student in class.
3) Does my gifted child automatically get into magnet school programs?
Gifted identification is only for gifted programs specifically. Other programs, such as Advanced Placement, summer programs, and the IB program at Phillips and Ramsay use their own criteria. Students who are not in the gifted program may get into those programs, while students who are in the gifted program may not be eligible.
4) What does the gifted program look like for an elementary student?
In elementary school, students are pulled out of class into a smaller GATE class one day a week, for 3 hours and 45 minutes.
5) What does the gifted program look like for a middle school student?
In middle school students receive 1.5 hours of pull-out service. In addition, gifted specialists are available to assist students with time management, organization, or other specific needs.
Middle school students at Phillips and W.J. Christian receive consultative services only, which means there is not a designated class for GATE students.
6) What does the gifted program look like in high school?
While students still retain the gifted designation in high school the programming is through the Advanced Placement program. Gifted students may choose to take advantage of the AP program and we strongly encourage that they do so. If there are specific concerns about individual gifted students in high school, please contact Dylan Ferniany ([email protected]). There are not gifted specialists for high schools.
7) I think my child is gifted before 2nd grade- what do I do?
If you believe your child is gifted, the first step is to contact the gifted specialist at the school. They can conduct observations of students and assist you in determining if a gifted referral is the right course of action.
8) Can my child skip a grade?
This is called acceleration, and is done in rare circumstances where there is evidence that students would benefit from the next level of coursework. Students must first have a gifted designation before they are accelerated. There is a process that must be managed by the Gifted Education Specialist where evaluation is conducted to determine student readiness for the next grade or subject material.
Do you have a question about the gifted program? Please submit your question here.
In 2nd grade, there is a district-wide child find process which evaluates a variety of strengths and talents among students. If children do not place in the gifted program in 2nd grade, they may be re-evaluated in later years.
Parents can refer their children for gifted evaluation, but the child must be at least 6 years of age. Referrals should be made through the GATE Teacher, who will manage the referral process.
2) My child is bored in class. What do I do?
The first step in advocating for your child is to talk with the classroom teacher. If you would like the GATE teacher to attend the meeting please let the general education teacher. Help both the GATE teacher and the classroom teacher understand what interests and engages your child and assist them in problem-solving to challenge the student in class.
3) Does my gifted child automatically get into magnet school programs?
Gifted identification is only for gifted programs specifically. Other programs, such as Advanced Placement, summer programs, and the IB program at Phillips and Ramsay use their own criteria. Students who are not in the gifted program may get into those programs, while students who are in the gifted program may not be eligible.
4) What does the gifted program look like for an elementary student?
In elementary school, students are pulled out of class into a smaller GATE class one day a week, for 3 hours and 45 minutes.
5) What does the gifted program look like for a middle school student?
In middle school students receive 1.5 hours of pull-out service. In addition, gifted specialists are available to assist students with time management, organization, or other specific needs.
Middle school students at Phillips and W.J. Christian receive consultative services only, which means there is not a designated class for GATE students.
6) What does the gifted program look like in high school?
While students still retain the gifted designation in high school the programming is through the Advanced Placement program. Gifted students may choose to take advantage of the AP program and we strongly encourage that they do so. If there are specific concerns about individual gifted students in high school, please contact Dylan Ferniany ([email protected]). There are not gifted specialists for high schools.
7) I think my child is gifted before 2nd grade- what do I do?
If you believe your child is gifted, the first step is to contact the gifted specialist at the school. They can conduct observations of students and assist you in determining if a gifted referral is the right course of action.
8) Can my child skip a grade?
This is called acceleration, and is done in rare circumstances where there is evidence that students would benefit from the next level of coursework. Students must first have a gifted designation before they are accelerated. There is a process that must be managed by the Gifted Education Specialist where evaluation is conducted to determine student readiness for the next grade or subject material.
Do you have a question about the gifted program? Please submit your question here.