Gifted Programming

The mission of Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) in MCSD is twofold: first, to identify students who demonstrate superior aptitude in academics, art, music, the performing arts, leadership, creativity or psycho-motor ability; and second, to provide a rigorous educational environment in which students have the opportunity to optimize their academic and affective growth and development. All programming strategies address the educational needs of gifted students to the best of our resources and are aligned with each individual student’s strength area(s), interests, and ALP and goals.

Montrose County School District provides district-wide opportunities for all students in STEM and Problem-based Learning. These district-wide initiatives provide differentiated opportunities for gifted students to: have challenging and rigorous learning environments; engage with open-ended, authentic, and relevant tasks; have opportunities to express learning in unique and creative ways; wonder, question, think critically and creative solve problems; work with their academic peers collaboratively; learn and demonstrate 21st century skills, including communication, creativity, critical thinking and collaboration; and develop and demonstrate leadership qualities.

GATE Facilitators and regular classroom teachers collaborate to provide differentiated instruction strategies both in the GATE pull-out class and in the regular classroom, including gifted education strategies such as whole grade and subject acceleration, flexible grouping, higher order thinking skills, curriculum compacting, and depth and complexity/content imperatives framework.  

Once a student has been formally identified, the school's GATE Facilitator works with classroom teachers to match the student’s intellectual strengths with appropriate academic programming by using the assessment results and the “Body of Evidence” to create the student’s Advanced Learning Plan (ALP). The ALP outlines the student’s area of giftedness, establishes measurable academic and affective goals and objectives, and identifies specific programming needs. The student then receives GATE services through the GATE Program in their area of giftedness to meet the ALPs goals and objectives. 

Gifted programming and services vary from school to school based on available resources and scheduling. Gifted students may receive programming and services through a combination of several models, including: 1) differentiated instruction in the classroom by the regular classroom teacher; 2) pull-out instruction by the GATE Facilitator in small group classes; 3) co-teaching between the regular classroom teacher and the GATE Facilitator, which may include differentiated instruction based on flexible grouping. Instruction for gifted students in all three models can consist of extended and enriched regular classroom curriculum to challenge gifted students, and/or different, high-interest topics related to the curriculum to address the same academic standards, processes, concepts and higher-level thinking skills. Additionally, gifted students may engage in independent study to pursue a topic of interest with guided support from the gifted facilitator, encouraging students to take responsibility for their own learning. Elementary GATE Facilitators also work with students on affective needs to address social/emotional issues as well as building executive functioning skills.

Some students may not qualify for identification yet but may be close to the 95th percentile on their assessment results. On a school by school basis, there may be “Talent Pools” available to these students that offer additional enrichment opportunities with a GATE Facilitator. CDE defines a "Talent Pool" as "a group of students who demonstrate an advanced or even exceptional ability in a particular area, but at this time do not meet the criteria for gifted identification . . . as students are presented with additional levels of challenge and rigor, increased achievement may occur." If a student is not formally identified but is invited to be part of a “Talent Pool”, that student does not require an ALP. “Talent Pools” exist at the discretion of each school principal. 

GATE Facilitator for Cottonwood, Northside, Pomona: Tanya Fredrick

GATE Facilitators for Oak Grove: Amanda Jennings, Cheri Davidson and Nathan Kay 

GATE Facilitators for Johnson: Jennifer Pierce and Whitney Hoffman 

GATE Facilitator for Olathe Elementary: Doug Fewell 

Also see School Blogs for Elementary

Gifted programming and services vary from school to school based on available resources and scheduling. Gifted students may receive programming and services through a combination of several models, including: 1) differentiated instruction in the classroom by the regular classroom teacher; 2) pull-out instruction by the GATE Facilitator in small group classes; 3) co-teaching between the regular classroom teacher and the GATE Facilitator, which may include differentiated instruction based on flexible grouping. Instruction for gifted students in all three models can consist of extended and enriched regular classroom curriculum to challenge gifted students, and/or different, high-interest topics related to the curriculum to address the same academic standards, processes, concepts and higher-level thinking skills. Additionally, gifted students may engage in independent study to pursue a topic of interest with guided support from the gifted facilitator, encouraging students to take responsibility for their own learning.

GATE Facilitators also address affective needs of middle school gifted students, with an emphasis on preparing gifted middle school students to take on the responsibility of their own advanced learning at the high school level. GATE Facilitators work with gifted students on understanding their own learning styles, interests and strengths, and by fostering autonomous learning through independent research and strategies for being a self-directed learner.

Middle school gifted and talented teachers do this by helping their students understand their own learning styles, interests, and strengths, and by increasing their skills as independent researchers and self-directed learners. By the time they continue on to high school, gifted students will have had the opportunity to rewrite their own ALP goals 

When and where available, additional enrichment opportunities are offered. For additional information, please contact your school's GATE Facilitator to see what options are available.

Accelerated Math

For students who meet the eligibility criteria on fifth grade math assessments, Accelerated Math compacts the math curriculum for grades 6-8 into two years, allowing students to take Algebra 1 (normally not available until 9th grade) during the 8th grade year. Consequently, when entering high school, students are a full year ahead in math and may take Honors Geometry as a high school freshman. 

GATE Facilitator for Centennial Middle School: Beth Kruis

GATE Facilitator for Columbine Middle School: Doug Fewell

GATE Facilitator for Olathe Middle/High School: Danielle Kistler

Also see School Blogs

At the high school level, students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and to speak with their counselor about advanced course options that align with their college and career postsecondary goals through the development of their ICAP (Individual Career Academic Plan). Gifted students at the high school are largely responsible for their own ALPs and are asked to meet at least once per year with either their school's GATE Facilitator or GATE Consultant, who facilitates and guides the goal-setting process and helps the gifted student align their goals with the classes they are taking while also communicating the student's goals to the appropriate support staff. The GATE Facilitator or GATE Consultant is also available to advise the student about advanced course options and progress monitors the student's ALP goals.

Advanced course options vary from high school to high school, but you can find more information at the links below:

• Montrose High School (MHS) Course Catalog

  • MHS Counseling Center

  • Weighted Courses: Our most demanding courses are graded on a 5.0 “Weighted” scale.  Through the Class of 2020, Valedictorian candidates must take at least 13 semesters of weighted courses and earn only straight “A” grades in all 9th – 12th grade courses (more than 13 weighted courses offer no advantage). For information on Valedictorian/Graduates with Distinction for the Class of 2021 and beyond, refer to Academic and School Policies.

  • Advanced Placement (AP): MHS offers a variety of courses that fall under the AP Program. These courses follow a weighted grading scale and are subject to change yearly based on staff and schedule restrictions. Students enrolled in AP courses are responsible for AP test fees and purchasing texts/materials for AP courses. See more information under each AP course description. For more about AP and the College Board, visit this link: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/ 

  • Concurrent Enrollment: MHS offers a variety of courses for Concurrent Enrollment credit. These courses are subject to change yearly based on staff and schedule restrictions. Students interested in Concurrent Enrollment should visit with their School Counselor early in their high school career to determine an appropriate four-year plan. Students are responsible for purchasing texts/materials for Concurrent Enrollment courses as required by the college awarding credit. See more information under Postsecondary Enrollment Opportunities.

  • Career Opportunities Studies (COS): Montrose High School offers a wide range of career exploration opportunities through the COS program, including internships, apprenticeships, mentorships and on the job training. 

  • College and Career Planning: Students should see their high school counselors about information on College and Career Planning. See the MHS College Planning web page an the MHS Career Development web page for more details.

  • Courses Available at MHS

  • MHS Gifted Student ALPs are incorporated with the ICAP, and ALPs are managed by Gifted Consultants, stipended teachers in English and Math. For questions about MHS ALPs, please contact Gifted Ed Coordinator John Steele

• Olathe High School (OHS) Course Catalog

  • OHS offers a variety of Honors and Advanced courses

  • OHS offers a variety of Concurrent Enrollment courses

  • College Planning: Students should see their high school counselors about information on College and Career Planning. See the OHS College Preparation Timeline and College Resources pages for more info. 

  • OHS Gifted Student ALPs are managed by GATE Facilitator Danielle Kistler

• Peak Virtual Academy

  • Peak High School Course Catalog

  • Peak Gifted Student ALPs are managed by a Gifted Consultant. For questions about Peak ALPs, please contact Gifted Ed Coordinator Debra Biermann. 

All high school students have options for concurrent enrollment courses, in which students earn both high school credit and college credit. Concurrent Enrollment offerings vary from high school to high school, so please contact your school's counseling center for specific courses offered. MCSD pays the tuition for up to two courses per year for 11th and 12th grade students; tuition for additional courses beyond the two district-paid courses is the responsibility of the student/family. MCSD does not pay concurrent enrollment tuition for 9th and 10th grade students, however, 9th and 10th grade students may still choose to take concurrent enrollment courses if they pay the tuition. 

At-a-glance View of Concurrent Enrollment Offerings:

• Colorado Mesa University - CMU-Montrose Campus

  • Healthcare Professionals Program (1 year)

  • Early Childhood Education Program (1 year)

  • Computer Network Technology Program (2 year)

  • Welding Program (2 year)

  • Machining Program (2 year)

• Colorado Mesa University

  • English Composition

  • College Algebra

  • Web Design

• Western Colorado University

  • American Government

  • American History

  • College Algebra Prep

  • College Algebra/Math 140

  • Environmental Science

  • World Politics

• CU Succeeds (UC Denver)

  • AP Chemistry

  • AP US History

  • AP Calculus

  • AP Statistics

  • AP World History

  • Honors Chemistry

  • Trig/Pre-calculus

  • AP Environmental Science

  • AP Literature

  • AP Language and Composition 

• University of Colorado - Colorado Springs (UCCS)

  • Civil Engineering

  • Intro to Engineering and Design

  • Principles of Engineering

• Technical College of the Rockies

  • Cosmetology

  • Barbering

  • CAD