Students must have a qualifying cognitive test score in the 95th percentile or above to become magnet eligible. 

The Gifted and Talented magnet program provides an educational option for students who have been designated as magnet eligible (ME) or identified as Highly Gifted (HGT). This educational option is provided to address the extreme needs of students with exceptional intellectual ability.  Magnet Eligible students benefit from a higher concentration of intellectual peers at a magnet site which supports their unique social needs and promotes friendship building.

This program is designed for the students whose cognitive ability is in the top 5th percentile or above, demonstrating the most extreme needs which cannot be met in a traditional classroom. This program is not specifically designed for students with abilities in the arts, leadership or creativity, although cognitively gifted students may also have these strengths.

In order to access this program, a family must go through the School Choice process when a student has been designated as magnet eligible (ME) or Highly Gifted (HGT) with a cognitive test scored in the 95th percentile or above.

Please contact the HGT magnet schools with questions regarding the school specific programming.

Morey Middle School (6th-8th) - Email Coza Perry

Archuleta Elementary (1st-5th) - Email Lisa Dye

Cory Elementary (1st-5th) - Email JJ Eagleston

Stephen Knight Center for Early Education (Cory's Kindergarten)- Email Chelsea Chappell-Cox

Edison Elementary (ECE-5th) - Email Rachel Chappell

Gust Elementary (ECE-5th) - Email Catherine Forington

Polaris Elementary (What makes Polaris shine?) (1st-5th)- Email Sarah Holdeman

Teller Elementary (ECE-5th) - Email Marian Dorsey

Currently there are no HGT Magnet High Schools

Reach out to the school's GT teacher for more information about programming at their school.

Magnet eligible students are able to apply to any of the magnet sites listed above for the following school year. 

Magnet eligibility does not guarantee placement at a magnet site. Families must apply with Choice and Enrollment Services to be considered for magnet placement. 

• First Round School Choice: The application typically opens in January and closes in mid-February. Following the nomination deadline, the DPS GT Department receives a list of applicants and applies the HGT priority for the lottery. School Choice will run the lottery and send out the results to families. 

• Second Round School Choice: The application typically reopens in March/April and closes in August. The second round does not function on a lottery, but rather on a first-come, first-served basis for the seats remaining at the school from the first round. Applicants will appear on a waitlist until the GT Department receives the applicant lists from Choice and applies the HGT priority.

The GT Department cannot place students directly and does not influence placement at any school.