🦉 2026-2027 Academic Gifted Services🦉

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2026-2027 GIFTED SERVICES UPDATE:

📬 SAGES-3 Testing Results Update

Thank you to all the families whose children recently participated in SAGES-3 testing.

Please know that SAGES results are currently undergoing administrative review. Once this process is complete, individual student results will be mailed directly to families as soon as possible.

There is no need to contact the TAG office to request results at this time. Families will receive their child's individual notification by mail.

Thank you for your patience and understanding!

💡 What is Gifted Services Programming?

Students with gifts and talents have unique learning needs and characteristics, including their prior knowledge, readiness to learn, interests and motivation, learning preferences, and ways of expressing themselves ✨.

Because of these differences, learning opportunities for gifted students are designed to meet individual needs and include a range of differentiated curriculum, instructional approaches, and resources 📚.

While all students benefit from enriched learning, gifted learners receive additional support and challenge through a variety of programs from the primary grades through high school. These services are ongoing, coordinated, and designed to support gifted students academically and socially.

From curriculum differentiation in the early grades to elementary gifted pull-out programs and high school Advanced Placement classes, the district provides a wide range of opportunities to meet the needs of gifted learners.

The Continuum of Services includes, but is not limited to:

- Academic and Creative Competitions
- Enrichment Clusters
- Flexible Grouping
- Gifted and Talented Art Program
- Academic Gifted and Talented Pull-Out Program
- Differentiated Curriculum & Instruction in the General Education Classroom
- Acceleration by Grade
- Acceleration by Subject
- Integrated Academic Summer Enrichment Program
- Saturday Academy
- STEM Academy
- Career Academy
- Visual and Performing Arts Academy

Our programming is designed to maximize students’ exceptional abilities while supporting their personal and social growth 🌱. Flexible programming encourages students to ask questions, take intellectual risks, think critically, and reflect on their strengths 🧠. By promoting choice, active engagement, and reflection, these services help students develop their talents, reach their potential, and take ownership of their learning journey 🚀.

⏳Identification Over Time

⏳Gifted identification is not just a moment in time;

it is fluid and continuous throughout the school years.

Gifted services begin in grades K-2, where classroom teachers informally observe and support students through differentiated instruction designed to engage, challenge, and nurture their intellectual growth. Participation in these early programs is not required for—and does not guarantee—eligibility for gifted services in later grades.
At the end of 2nd grade, a formal universal screening identifies students for Academic Gifted Services in grades 3-5. Similarly, participation in grades 3-5 programs does not guarantee placement in gifted services in middle or high school.
At the end of 5th grade and again at the end of middle school, formal screenings help identify students for advanced learning opportunities in the upper grades, ensuring every student has the chance to be challenged at the right level.

Our Approach: Potential, Not Labels 🌱

At Clifton Public Schools, we are committed to fair and thorough procedures to identify and support all students who may benefit from gifted services. Giftedness and talent can be found across all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, nationalities, and genders, including among students with disabilities 🌍🤝.

A Thoughtful, Multi-Step Process 📝

Identifying students who may benefit from differentiated services is a careful, multi-step process. It begins with universal screening and includes multiple measures of aptitude and achievement 📊. A formal evaluation is then used to determine placement in gifted services, helping match each student’s needs, abilities, and strengths with programming that provides an appropriate level of challenge and support 🎯.

Focusing on Potential, Not Labels 🌱

We focus on nurturing students’ intellectual, emotional, and social growth rather than labeling children as “gifted.” Our goal is to provide opportunities that encourage gifted behaviors, potential, initiative, and independent thinking 🚀.

Through differentiated and challenging learning experiences, we strive to help all students reach their highest level of performance, develop their strengths, and make meaningful contributions to their communities and an ever-changing global society 🌏✨.

Grades K-2 Overview

Grades 3-5 Overview

The Identification Process: 3 Phases

Grades 3-5 Talent Development Model: Levels of Service Strands

Gifted Services Appeal/Transfer Information

Personal Enrichment Google Classroom

Grades 3-5 Strand C & Selected B Pull-Out TAG Class Information & Registration

Differentiated Instruction

Gifted Education Links for Parents/Guardians

Meet the Teacher

Contact Information

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