FAQs

What does CGaT mean?

CGaT is an acronym that we use to describe the Creighton Gifted and Talented program.

What is the goal of the Creighton School District Gifted and Talented Program?

The Creighton Gifted and Talented program empowers adventurous thinking, kind-hearted leadership and collaborative learning.  

Is there a cost to participate in the program?

No

What does an average day look like for a qualified students?

Creighton School District follows the Cluster Model, where students with like abilities are strategically grouped together so they may learn to the best of their abilities. In addition, identified students receive pull-out services from a Gifted Specialist a minimum of one day a week.  Pull-out topics include all the qualification areas: Verbal, Quantitative, and Non verbal ( Visual Spatial). 

Which Creighton Schools offer the program? 

All nine of the Creighton School District Schools offer the Gifted and Talented Program. Qualifying students will receive Gifted and Talented services at their home school.

What grades can qualify for gifted and talented?

Kindergarten – 8th grade .  Kindergarten us typically only tested in the Spring.

How do I get my child tested?

Nominations for testing can be done through teachers, administration, parent request, peer, and self nominations. Forms are available at the front offices of each school.  However we recommend using our digital nomination forms. Testing is done 3 times a year, in the Fall, Winter, and Spring at each site.

How is my child tested?

Students are tested using the COGAT Cognitive Abilities Test. It's an online test that has three sections: Verbal (Language Arts). Quantitative(Math) and Non-verbal (Visual Spatial).  On occasion, when students score 80-89,  we also use the Ravens Test of Standard Progressive Matrices to see if we can bump up students into qualfiying.  Teachers on assignment for gifted and talented administer the tests at the sites during the regular school day and we try to keep the group sizes small.

How does my child qualify for the CGaT program?

Every district has its own qualification standards. In Creighton School District, a core in the 97th percentile or higher in any area is considered gifted and a score of 90-96 percentile in any one area is considered talented.  Both qualify for services in the CGAT program.

What is the difference between percent and percenile scores?

Please remember that the scores are percentiles and not precent.    A percentile score of 80 does not mean 80 percent.  It means in a room fo 100 other bright students taking the test , teh student scored higher than 80 students.

Can my child be re-tested if they do not qualify?

Yes, but students can only be retested after one full calendar year.

Is there a cost for the Assessment?

No, testing is free for students currently enrolled in the Creighton School District.

How can I prep my student for the  COGAT test?

We do not suggest studying for the test.  It is not the type of test that one can study or do beforehand preparation.  Click here for  some information online from the publisher

What happens when CGaT students go to high school?

We will send test scores to other schools as requested.  Please remember that other districts including Phoenix Union may only service students who had test scores of "gifted".  Phoenix Union has also been known to retest students.