We want to ensure that every student who needs advanced academic services receives them. To qualify for the Makalapa GT program, students undergo a comprehensive screening process at the beginning of the school year.

We look at the whole child by evaluating a variety of data points, including:

• Parent & Teacher Recommendation Surveys: Insights from the adults who know the student best.

• Renzulli Learning Survey: A widely used, research-based tool for identifying giftedness that focuses on observable behaviors and interests.

• Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT): A norm-referenced assessment measuring reasoning and problem-solving skills across verbal, quantitative, and non-verbal domains.

• Product Assessment: A specialized writing assessment administered by the school.

• Standardized Assessments: ELA and Math SBA scores from the prior school year.

As a school proudly serving the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam community, we adhere strictly to the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3). Any student receiving documented GT services in a school in any of the 50 states who transfers to Makalapa Elementary will receive equivalent services. If you are newly stationed here and your child was previously in a GT program, please contact us with their documentation!