Gifted students are defined in Section 162.675, RSMo as “students who exhibit precocious development of mental capacity and learning potential as determined by competent professional evaluation to the extent that continued educational growth and stimulation could best be served by an academic environment beyond that offered through a standard grade-level curriculum."

The Valley Park School District follows guidelines for gifted education identification as required by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Staff looks at multiple areas of criteria to determine if gifted education services are needed. The Valley Park Gifted Program is reviewed annually by DESE.