JCPS Gifted & Talented and Primary Talent Pool Family Site

What Is Giftedness?

Federal Definition

Gifted students are those who demonstrate high achievement capability in areas such as:

• Intellectual ability

• Creativity

• Visual and Performing Arts

• Leadership

• Specific academic fields

These students require services and opportunities beyond the standard curriculum to fully develop their abilities.

Kentucky State Definition

In Kentucky, gifted students are considered a category of “exceptional students.” They may show demonstrated or potential ability in:

• General intellectual aptitude

• Specific academic aptitude

• Creative or divergent thinking

• Psychosocial or leadership skills

• Visual or performing arts

👉 Click here to learn more about giftedness

👉 Click here to learn more about identification from the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)

👉 Click here to learn about NAGC's Position Statement regaring identification culturally and linguistically diverse gifted students

 Primary Talent Pool (PTP)

• Designed for students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade

• Identifies and nurtures high-potential learners

• Available in all JCPS elementary schools

• Selection for PTP does not guarantee gifted formal identification in grades 4-12 

Gifted & Talented (GT) Services in JCPS

• Available in all JCPS schools, including Traditional Schools

• For formally identified students in grades 4–12

• Services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each gifted learner

If you have questions or would like to explore services for your child, please contact your school’s Gifted and Talented Lead.