What is Gifted?

Gifted is a label. There is no single definition. Broadly, it means that you are able to distinguish patterns more quickly than others. These patterns are often the basis for understanding how things work and why things are true. That means you can "figure stuff out."

National Association for Gifted Children:

“Gifted individuals are those who demonstrate outstanding levels of aptitude (defined as an exceptional ability to reason and learn) or competence (documented performance or achievement in top 10% or rarer) in one or more domains. Domains include any structured area of activity with its own symbol system (e.g., mathematics, music, language) and/or set of sensorimotor skills (e.g., painting, dance, sports).”

Giftedness is often measured using an Intelligence Quotient Test (IQ). IQ tests score your ability to process information and distinguish patterns in an effort to measure your ability to learn. There are many different tests, but all of them calculate a score that fits onto the same scale.

Click here to learn a little more about normal distributions.

IQ scores are scaled so they fit onto the normal distribution curve. Most definitions of gifted, including the one we use, defines gifted as IQs approximately two standard deviations or more above the mean. That means IQs close to 130 or higher. For students who are close other factors are examined, such as school performance and parent and teacher input.

So gifted means...

you have an advanced ability to learn
you will often connect ideas faster and/or differently than other people

And gifted does not mean...

that everything is supposed to be easy.
that you should know everything
that you won't make mistakes
that you are immune to peer pressure

These unique connections between ideas lead to similar personality traits in gifted students.

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