In accordance with California Ed Code, Los Angeles Unified School District defines a gifted and talented student as one who exhibits excellence or the capacity for excellence far beyond that of their chronological peers in one or more gifted/talented categories.

Los Angeles Unified School District identifies students in SEVEN categories:

• Intellectual Ability (2nd semester K-12; highly gifted possibility) - Referred by school, tested by District

• High Achievement (2nd grade OLSAT-8 & grades 5-12) - Automatic Identification

• Specific Academic Ability (ELA or Math) (Grades 5-12) - Automatic Identification

• Creative Ability (Grades 4-12) - Portfolio

• Leadership Ability (Grades 4-12) - Portfolio

• Visual Arts (Grades 2-12) - Demonstration (Fall & Spring)

• Performing Arts (Grades 2-12) - Audition (Fall & Spring)