Identification of gifted and talented students occurs year round. Denver Public Schools’ universal testing happens every fall in First and Fifth grades. Students in kinder, second, third, and fourth grades need to be nominated for testing by parents / guardians. The GT teachers at Isabella Bird will administer all of the testing. If a student qualifies from these cognitive tests, more data will be collected that includes academic performance and an observation scale rating.
Gifted (GT): This formal identification occurs when a student has a qualifying body of evidence, but the body of evidence does not include a qualifying cognitive score. Observation scales and/or academic scores fall within the 95-99th percentile. Students can receive a GT designation based upon a body of evidence that includes achievement scores, observation scales, portfolio displays of work, or other qualifying data. Students with this designation will receive an Advanced Learning Plan (ALP), but are not eligible to attend an HGT magnet site.
Highly Gifted (HGT): This formal identification occurs when the student's body of evidence includes a cognitive score in the 95th percentile or above in the presence of other qualifying data points. Students with HGT designation are eligible to “choice-in” to any HGT magnet school and will receive an Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) in the designated area(s) of giftedness.
Magnet Eligible (ME): If your child has been designated magnet eligible (ME), they have scored in the 95th percentile or above of their age group, but they do not yet have all of the other required pieces in the body of evidence to receive a formal identification. Since collection of the body of evidence toward formal HGT identification may take time, the ME designation is a placeholder that allows for families to have the opportunity to go through the School Choice process to attend an HGT Magnet site if interested. Your school's GT teacher will be actively working toward formal HGT identification once a student has the ME designation. The Magnet Eligible (ME) designation does not automatically mean that a student has been determined HGT. This means they are in process of identification and have more school options instead of having to wait for formal identification to have the choice to move to an HGT Magnet School. No Advanced Learning Plan is written until the student is formally identified.
Talent Pool (TP): If your child has a Talent Pool designation, it means that a teacher has discovered evidence that shows potential in a specific academic area, but there is not yet enough evidence for formal GT or HGT identification. This designation allows a student to receive gifted and talented programming while the GT teacher continues to pursue the necessary data points for a formal identification.
Nominate your child for magnet testing (Applicable for students ECE-12)
Note: In-district students in 1st and 5th grade will be assessed as part of our Universal Screening and a nomination form is not necessary.
Downloadable application- English
Nomination forms (available in Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, French, Nepali, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese). Make sure to download the file or make a copy to complete in Google Docs.
Please submit paper nomination forms to your GT Teacher and they will submit them to our office. Alternatively, you may scan and send them to giftedandtalented@dpsk12.org.
In recent years, Denver Public Schools (DPS) has noticed more students taking yearly tests to qualify for gifted programs. However, many—about 70%—do not qualify each time they re-test. This frequent testing can be tough on students and families because cognitive tests often show similar results each year.
Why Less Testing is Recommended
Mental Wellbeing: Testing every year can be stressful. Imagine being told each year that you don’t qualify for gifted programs.
Cognitive Scores: Unlike tests for school subjects, which can improve with practice, cognitive tests often show similar scores over time.
What Parents Should Know
Testing Guidelines: DPS Gifted and Talented recommends cognitive testing a student for gifted programs every three years, not yearly.
Other Ways to Qualify: There are many ways for students to qualify for gifted programs besides cognitive tests. In fact, there are 35 different ways to qualify, with 24 not needing a cognitive test.
Options for Families
Talk to Your Child's GT Teacher: Discuss your child’s strengths and areas of interest with their teacher. They can provide insights and support in finding the best educational opportunities for your child.
Outside Testing: If your child cannot take a cognitive assessment this year due to previous testing, you may consider private cognitive testing (at your own expense) for special programs like magnet schools. All scores must be reviewed by the DPS Central Office before they can be used for magnet placement. This testing is an option for your unique circumstance, but is not required by DPS Gifted and Talented.
The application window for Early Access to Kindergarten and 1st Grade is open from September 1 – October 15. Families interested in having their child evaluated for possible entry into Kindergarten or 1st Grade a year earlier than typical age eligibility (for enrollment beginning in Fall 2026) are encouraged to visit our Family Site for more information to go this website: https://gt.dpsk12.org/o/gifted/page/early-access-to-k-or-1st-grade).