Gifted Education

Gifted students are those students who demonstrate high levels of academic accomplishment or show exceptional academic potential beyond their age peers of similar experience or environment. These students need advanced and complex content that is paced and sequenced to respond to their intellectual curiosity, exceptional problem-solving abilities, and rapid acquisition and understanding of information.

The PWCS Gifted Education and Talent Development Program offers resource services in kindergarten through 12th grade for students whose learning needs cannot be entirely met in the general education classroom setting. Service minutes and service models vary by grade level.

A student may be referred for an evaluation by a parent, educational professional, community member, universal screening results, or self-referral.

If you would like to refer a student for gifted evaluation or have questions about gifted services, please contact your school's Gifted Education Resource Teacher.

Additional information about the gifted identification process and gifted services is available on the PWCS Gifted Education and Talent Development website.

Elementary gifted services provide identified gifted learners with opportunities to develop advanced thinking skills through engaging learning experiences. Students participate in regularly scheduled resource lessons led by the Gifted Education Resource Teacher while continuing to receive instruction in the general education classroom.

Gifted Education Resource Teachers also collaborate with classroom teachers to provide learning experiences that meet the needs of identified gifted students.

Differentiated Service Plan

Every identified gifted student has a Differentiated Service Plan (DSP), a personalized plan that outlines how the school supports their gifted learning needs.

The DSP identifies the gifted services and instructional supports the student will receive throughout the school year. Families receive a copy of the plan during the first quarter of the school year.

Progress Reports

Families receive an evaluation of their child's gifted program progress at the end of each school year.

Middle school gifted services provide identified gifted learners with opportunities to strengthen advanced thinking skills through interdisciplinary learning experiences. Depending on the school's service model, students receive gifted services during an Encore rotation or another scheduled instructional period.

Gifted Education Resource Teachers also work with classroom teachers to support the academic needs of identified gifted students throughout the school year.

Differentiated Service Plan

Every identified gifted student has a Differentiated Service Plan (DSP), a personalized plan that outlines how the school supports their gifted learning needs.

The DSP identifies the gifted services and instructional supports the student will receive throughout the school year. Families receive a copy of the plan based on the school's gifted service model.

Advanced Learning Opportunities

Gifted students are encouraged to enroll in advanced coursework that provides additional academic challenge. The gifted program is designed to supplement a rigorous course schedule, not replace advanced classes.