ALL schools in the district are responsible for meeting the needs of identified gifted and talented students. K-8 schools are supported through a GT teacher, charter schools are supported through a designated point of contact, and high school is supported through a site-based team and the Central Office.

GT services in DPS schools range from:

• co-teaching by the gifted education teacher in the regular classroom.

• pull-out programs: The student meets with the GT teacher in a specific subject for a short period of time, but spends most of the time in the regular classroom.

• cluster grouping: school-based model where gifted students are placed together in a regular classroom or content class.

• ability grouping: content-based groups of students working at the same level in the regular classroom.

• curriculum compacting: using the same materials but moving through the content at a faster pace and/or in greater depth for students who excel

• acceleration of content

• enrichment opportunities

• magnet services (for students designated HGT or Magnet Eligible)

The gifted education teacher collaborates with classroom teachers in differentiating instruction and providing best practices for gifted and talented learners.

For formally identified gifted students (GT/HGT), the gifted education teacher, in collaboration with the classroom teacher, family, and student, develop and support the implementation of Advanced Learning Plans (ALP). The ALP will document programming for each child identified as gifted and talented and is updated each fall.

Additional services and opportunities may focus on talent development for those students who are not formally identified but are demonstrating a need in certain academic areas.

For more information about HGT Magnet Schools, please click here.

Gifted Program at Your School

Who is the GT Contact at my child's school?

ALL schools in the district are responsible for meeting the needs of identified gifted and talented students. K-8 schools are supported through a GT teacher, charter schools are supported through a designated point of contact, and high school is supported through a site-based team and the Central Office. Please refer to the Gifted and Talented Teacher/Point of Contact to find your school’s GT teacher and coordinator. 

What does Gifted Programming look like at my child's school?

Click here for the currently available programming plan document for the 2024-25 school year. 

Every school in the district (including charter schools) is responsible for meeting the needs of gifted and talented students. High schools are supported through a GT point of contact or a site-based team. All High School students identified as GT/HGT must have an Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) written on a yearly basis to support their unique academic and social-emotional needs. Since DPS is a site-based district, services vary from school to school and may include:

Academic

• Advanced Placement (AP), honors, or International Baccalaureate (IB)

• cluster grouping of students for instruction

• acceleration of content

• curriculum compacting

• independent projects

• interest-based instruction

• original work opportunities with authentic audience

• real world applications

Affective

• leadership development

• social action/service learning

• building resilience

• stress management

• career and college exploration

• interpersonal competence and character development

For more specific information about site-based programming, please reach out to the appropriate Gifted and Talented Teacher/Point of Contact.