Gifted & Talented

Westgate Elementary provides programming for exceptional learners who require special provisions to meet their educational needs.

The Jeffco Public Schools Gifted and Talented (GT) Department’s vision is to Actualize Learners’ Potential for gifted and high-ability learners through a focus on access, equity, inclusion and diversity. All students deserve an education that provides meaningful growth academically, socially and emotionally.

Each year, every second grader in Jeffco takes The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) which measures reasoning skills with different types of verbal, quantitative and nonverbal questions. The results of this test inform teachers which students may be identified as gifted and talented. 

What Is A Gifted Student?

GT students are learners between the ages of four and 21 whose abilities, talents or potential for accomplishment are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special educational programming. Children under five who are gifted may also receive early childhood special educational services. 

Gifted students include students from all backgrounds who have exceptional abilities or potential. Gifted students are capable of exceptional performance,  production or learning behavior and have one or more of these areas of giftedness:

Areas of giftedness

• Intellectual abilities
• Specific academic skills
• Creative or productive thinking
• Leadership abilities
• Visual arts, performing arts or musical abilities
• Physical skills

The 2024 Fall GT Center application is now open. 

The Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) is a legal document outlining programming for identified gifted students and guides educational planning and decision-making. An ALP is developed for every gifted student according to the student’s determined areas of giftedness, interests, and instructional and affective needs. The ALP is created after a student is formally identified as gifted. Learn about GT identification in Jeffco to begin this referral process for a student.

The student's ALP should map out what students hope to learn and accomplish in their area of strength. When students become independent learners and self-advocates they will:

• Take control of their learning and improve their education.
• Deepen understanding of their learning style and become strength-based learners.
• Acquire learning skills that apply to learning situations in life.
• Will develop a greater sense of their abilities.

Families and students in grades 6-12 may view ALPs in Student Insights.