Application Forms
The application process and criteria for the 2024-2025 school year forward has been updated.
Gifted Application Forms
- 2024-2025 School Year: Gifted Program Applications
- 2025-2026 School Year: Gifted Program Applications
2024-2025 School Year: Gifted Program Applications
Gifted Preschool
Application criteria for Gifted Preschool:
- Gifted qualification at 90 percentile or higher in one of these areas: verbal, non-verbal, and quantitative.
2024-25 Gifted Preschool Application Timeline | ||
---|---|---|
February 14, 2024 | OPENS |
Returning students. |
February 21, 2024 | OPENS |
Open to all qualified applicants. |
October 11, 2024 | CLOSES | Applications, waitlist placement, transfers. |
2024-25 Gifted Preschool Application
Please note: the Gifted Preschool at North Ranch Elementary
will not be running this school year.
Other application information:
- The Gifted Preschool is a tuition-based program.
- Students must be 4 years old by August 31st of the relevant school year. Students whose 4th birthday falls after school starts in August, but before September 1st, will be eligible to begin on the Monday following their birthday.
- Gifted Preschool applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Applications will not be reviewed until all required documentation has been submitted.
- When a Gifted Preschool program reaches enrollment capacity, approved applications will be placed on a waitlist.
- Additional enrollment steps with Community Education are required after acceptance into the program.
- Transportation is not provided.
CGC - Kindergarten
Application criteria for a Kindergarten Comprehensive Gifted Classroom:
Applicants must meet one of the two following criteria.
- Gifted qualification at 97 percentile or higher in one of these areas: verbal, non-verbal, and quantitative.
- IQ of 128 or higher.
2024-25: CGC Kindergarten Application Timeline |
||
---|---|---|
January 1, 2024 | OPENS | Applicants who meet priority criteria.** |
February 1, 2024 | OPENS | All qualified applicants. |
December 11, 2024 | CLOSES | A pplications, waitlist placements, transfers. |
2024-25 CGC Kindergarten Application
2024-25 CGC Kindergarten Teacher Recommendation
- Students must be 5 years old before August 31st of the relevant school year.
- Applications will not be reviewed until all required documentation is submitted.
- Priority applicants must meet all qualifications in a priority rank.
- Applications will be reviewed in monthly cycles.
- Timestamps will only be used to sort applications into review cycles.
- Waitlists will be used for Comprehensive Gifted Classrooms that reach enrollment capacity.
- Waitlisted students must reapply for the next school year if not placed by December.
- Transportation is not provided for students attending schools other than their home school.
- Placement of special education students is contingent upon availability of special education services.
Priority Criteria Ranking for Applications | |
---|---|
Priority Rank #1 |
|
Priority Rank #2 |
|
Priority Rank #3 |
|
Review Date |
2024-25 Application Review Timeline: CGC Kindergarten |
---|---|
February 2, 2024 |
Priority applications submitted between January 1, 2024 and January 31, 2024 will be reviewed. |
March 4, 2024 | Any qualified applications submitted between February 1, 2024 and February 29, 2024 will be reviewed. |
April 1, 2024 | Any qualified applications submitted between March 1, 2024 and March 31, 2024 will be reviewed. |
May 2, 2024 | Any qualified applications submitted between April 1, 2024 and April 30, 2024 will be reviewed. |
June 5, 2024 | Any qualified applications submitted between May 1, 2024 and May 31, 2024 will be reviewed. |
July 2, 2024 | Any qualified applications submitted between June 1, 2024 and June 30, 2024 will be reviewed. |
August 5, 2024 | Any qualified application submitted between July 1, 2024 and July 31, 2024 will be reviewed. |
CGC - Grades 1-6
Application criteria for Comprehensive Gifted Classrooms grades 1-6:
Applicants must meet one of the three following criteria, PLUS AASA results that meet or exceed grade-level standards (grades 4-6 only).
- Gifted qualification at 97 percentile or higher in two areas, with a 90 percentile or higher in the third area; (verbal, non-verbal, and quantitative).
- Gifted qualification at 97 percentile in one area, and a composite score (combined scores of verbal, non-verbal, and quantitative) of 284*.
- IQ of 140 or higher.
*Please note: if your student is accepted using a composite score, they will be placed into the program on a provisional basis and progress will be reviewed near the end of the first semester.
Applicants that are current EL (English Learners):
EL applicants must meet one of the two following criteria, PLUS demonstrate accelerated learning needs that are two year beyond grade level, and have AASA results that meet or exceed grade-level standards (grades 4-6 only).
- A score of 97 percentile or above on a Arizona State Board approved nonverbal ability test (preferably NNAT2), PLUS a score of 97 percentile or above in reading and mathematics on the Woodcock-Johnson Achievement Test administered one grade level ahead of the student's current grade level.
- IQ of 140 or higher.
Special consideration will be made for students with IEPs or 504s.
2024-25: CGC Grades 1-6 Application Timeline |
||
---|---|---|
October 2, 2023 | OPEN | Open for applicants who meet priority criteria. |
November 1, 2023 | OPEN | Open for all qualified applicants. |
December 11, 2024 | CLOSES | Applications, waitlist placements, transfers. |
2024-25: CGC Grades 1-6 Application
2024-25: CGC Grades 1-6
Teacher Recommendation
- Students enrolled in the 1st-5th grade Comprehensive Gifted Classroom who successfully complete the school year are automatically enrolled for the next year and do not need to reapply.
- Applications will not be reviewed until all required documentation is submitted.
- Priority applicants must meet all qualifications in a priority rank.
- Applications will be reviewed in monthly cycles.
- Timestamps will only be used to sort applications into review cycles.
- Waitlists will be used for Comprehensive Gifted Classrooms that reach enrollment capacity.
- Waitlisted students must reapply for the next school year if not placed by December.
- Transportation is not provided for students attending schools other than their home school.
- Placement of special education students is contingent upon availability of special education services.
Priority Criteria Ranking for Applications | |
---|---|
Priority Rank #1 |
|
Priority Rank #2 |
|
Priority Rank #3 |
|
Review Date |
2024-25 Application Review Timeline: CGC Gr. 1-6 |
---|---|
November 7, 2023 | Priority applications submitted between October 2, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. and October 31, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. will be reviewed. |
December 4, 2023 | Any qualified applications submitted between November 1, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. and November 30, 2023 will be reviewed. |
January 8, 2024 | Any qualified applications submitted between December 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023 will be reviewed. |
February 2, 2024 |
Any qualified applications submitted between January 1, 2024 and January 31, 2024 will be reviewed. |
March 4, 2024 | Any qualified applications submitted between February 1, 2024 and February 29, 2024 will be reviewed. |
April 1, 2024 | Any qualified applications submitted between March 1, 2024 and March 31, 2024 will be reviewed. |
May 2, 2024 | Any qualified applications submitted between April 1, 2024 and April 30, 2024 will be reviewed. |
June 5, 2024 | Any qualified applications submitted between May 1, 2024 and May 31, 2024 will be reviewed. |
July 2, 2024 | Any qualified applications submitted between June 1, 2024 and June 30, 2024 will be reviewed. |
August 5, 2024 | Any qualified application submitted between July 1, 2024 and July 31, 2024 will be reviewed. |
Journey and Quest - Grades 7-8
New! Starting the 2024-2025 school year: the DLC will be rebranding to Quest.
Application criteria for Journey and Quest:
Applicants must meet one of the following four criteria, PLUS performing or highly performing in AASA reading and math in the previous school year.
- Gifted qualification at 97 percentile or higher in two areas: verbal, quantitative or non-verbal.
- Gifted qualification at 97 percentile or higher in one area, AND 90 percentile or higher in the other two areas.
- Gifted qualification at 97 percentile or higher in one area, AND 90 percentile or higher in one other area PLUS a principal recommendation**.
- IQ of 135 or higher.
**If a principal recommendation is needed, please contact the Gifted Education Department's Administrative Assistant to initiate the digital recommendation.
2024-25: Journey and Quest Application Timeline |
||
---|---|---|
October 2, 2023 | OPENS | Applicants who meet priority criteria. |
November 1, 2023 | OPENS | All qualified applicants. |
December 15, 2023 | EARLY DEADLINE |
If you applied between October 2, 2023 and November 30, 2023, you must confirm your enrollment by December 15, 2023 or your program space will be released to those who have confirmed enrollment and your student may be bumped. |
December 11, 2024 | CLOSES |
Applications, waitlist placements, transfers. |
As of December 15, 2023: The Journey application has re-opened. Please be aware that space is limited and approved applications may be placed on a waitlist.
2024-25: Journey and QUEST Application
2024-25: Journey and QUEST
Teacher Recommendation
- Applications will not be reviewed until all required documentation is submitted.
- Priority applicants must meet all qualifications in a priority rank.
- Applications will be reviewed in monthly cycles. Timestamps will only be used to sort applications into those cycles.
- Waitlists will be used for programs that reach enrollment capacity.
- Waitlisted students must reapply for the next school year if not placed by December.
- Transportation is not provided for students attending schools other than their home school.
- Placement of special education students is contingent upon availability of special education services.
Priority Criteria Ranking for Applications | |
---|---|
Priority Rank #1 |
|
Priority Rank #2 |
|
Priority Rank #3 |
|
Review Date | 2024-25 Application Review Timeline: Journey and Quest |
---|---|
November 7, 2023 | Priority applications submitted between October 2, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. and October 31, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. will be reviewed. |
December 4, 2023 | Any qualified applications submitted between November 1, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. and November 30, 2023 will be reviewed. |
January 8, 2024 | Any qualified applications submitted between December 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023 will be reviewed. |
February 2, 2024 |
Any qualified applications submitted between January 1, 2024 and January 31, 2024 will be reviewed. |
March 4, 2024 | Any qualified applications submitted between February 1, 2024 and February 29, 2024 will be reviewed. |
April 1, 2024 | Any qualified applications submitted between March 1, 2024 and March 31, 2024 will be reviewed. |
May 2, 2024 | Any qualified applications submitted between April 1, 2024 and April 30, 2024 will be reviewed. |
June 5, 2024 | Any qualified applications submitted between May 1, 2024 and May 31, 2024 will be reviewed. |
July 2, 2024 | Any qualified applications submitted between June 1, 2024 and June 30, 2024 will be reviewed. |
August 5, 2024 | Any qualified application submitted between July 1, 2024 and July 31, 2024 will be reviewed. |
2025-2026 School Year: Gifted Program Applications
Gifted Preschool
Application criteria for Gifted Preschool:
- Gifted qualification at 90 percentile or higher in one of these areas: verbal, non-verbal, and quantitative.
2025-26 Gifted Preschool Application Timeline | ||
---|---|---|
TBD Mid-February, 2025 | OPENS |
Returning students. |
TBD Late-February, 2025 | OPENS |
Open to all qualified applicants. |
TBD October, 2025 | CLOSES | Applications, waitlist placement, transfers. |
2025-26 Gifted Preschool Application
Other application information:
- The Gifted Preschool is a tuition-based program.
- Students must be 4 years old by August 31st of the relevant school year. Students whose 4th birthday falls after school starts in August, but before September 1st, will be eligible to begin on the Monday following their birthday.
- Gifted Preschool applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Applications will not be reviewed until all required documentation has been submitted.
- When a Gifted Preschool program reaches enrollment capacity, approved applications will be placed on a waitlist.
- Additional enrollment steps with Community Education are required after acceptance into the program.
- Transportation is not provided.
CGC - Kindergarten
Application criteria for CGC Kindergarten:
Applicants must meet one of the two following criteria.
- Gifted qualification at 97 percentile or higher in one of these areas: verbal, non-verbal, and quantitative.
- IQ of 128 or higher.
2025-26: CGC Kindergarten Application Timeline |
||
---|---|---|
January 1, 2025 | OPENS | Applicants who meet priority criteria.** |
February 1, 2025 | OPENS | All qualified applicants. |
December 10, 2025 | CLOSES | A pplications, waitlist placements, transfers. |
2025-26 Comprehensive Kindergarten Application
2025-26 Comprehensive Kindergarten
Teacher Recommendation
- Students must be 5 years old before August 31st of the relevant school year.
- Applications will not be reviewed until all required documentation is submitted.
- Priority applicants must meet all qualifications in a priority rank.
- Applications will be reviewed in monthly cycles. Timestamps will only be used to sort applications into review cycles.
- Waitlists will be used for Comprehensive Gifted Classrooms that reach enrollment capacity.
- Waitlisted students must reapply for the next school year if not placed by December.
- Transportation is not provided for students attending schools other than their home school.
- Placement of special education students is contingent upon availability of special education services.
Priority Criteria Ranking for Applications | |
---|---|
Priority Rank #1 |
|
Priority Rank #2 |
|
Priority Rank #3 |
|
Review Date |
2025-26 Application Review Timeline: CGC Kindergarten |
---|---|
February 3, 2025 |
Priority applications submitted between January 1, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. and January 31, 2025 will be reviewed. |
March 3, 2025 | Any qualified applications submitted between February 1, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. and February 29, 2025 will be reviewed. |
April 1, 2025 | Any qualified applications submitted between March 1, 2025 and March 31, 2025 will be reviewed. |
May 1, 2025 | Any qualified applications submitted between April 1, 2025 and April 30, 2025 will be reviewed. |
June 2, 2025 | Any qualified applications submitted between May 1, 2025 and May 31, 2025 will be reviewed. |
July 1, 2025 | Any qualified applications submitted between June 1, 2025 and June 30, 2025 will be reviewed. |
August 1, 2025 | Any qualified application submitted between July 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025 will be reviewed. |
CGC - Grades 1-6
Application criteria for Comprehensive Gifted Classrooms grades 1-6:
Applicants must meet one of the three following criteria, PLUS AASA results that meet or exceed grade-level standards (grades 4-6 only).
- Gifted qualification at 97 percentile or higher in two areas, with a 90 percentile or higher in the third area; (verbal, non-verbal, and quantitative).
- Gifted qualification at 97 percentile in one area, and a composite score (combined scores of verbal, non-verbal, and quantitative) of 284*.
- IQ of 140 or higher.
*Please note: if your student is accepted using a composite score, they will be placed into the program on a provisional basis and progress will be reviewed near the end of the first semester.
Applicants that are current EL (English Learners):
EL applicants must meet one of the two following criteria, PLUS demonstrate accelerated learning needs that are two year beyond grade level, and have AASA results that meet or exceed grade-level standards (grades 4-6 only).
- A score of 97 percentile or above on a Arizona State Board approved nonverbal ability test (preferably NNAT2), PLUS a score of 97 percentile or above in reading and mathematics on the Woodcock-Johnson Achievement Test administered one grade level ahead of the student's current grade level.
- IQ of 140 or higher.
Special consideration will be made for students with IEPs or 504s.
2025-26: CGC Grades 1-6 Application Timeline |
||
---|---|---|
October 1, 2024 | OPEN | Open for applicants who meet priority criteria. |
November 1, 2024 | OPEN | Open for all qualified applicants. |
December 10, 2025 | CLOSES | Applications, waitlist placements, transfers. |
2025-26 CGC Grades 1-6 Application
2025-26 CGC Grades 1-6
Teacher Recommendation
- Students enrolled in the 1st-5th grade Comprehensive Gifted Classroom who successfully complete the school year are automatically enrolled for the next year and do not need to reapply.
- Applications will not be reviewed until all required documentation is submitted.
- Priority applicants must meet all qualifications in a priority rank.
- Applications will be reviewed in monthly cycles. Timestamps will only be used to sort applications into review cycles.
- Waitlists will be used for Comprehensive Gifted Classrooms that reach enrollment capacity.
- Waitlisted students must reapply for the next school year if not placed by December.
- Transportation is not provided for students attending schools other than their home school.
- Placement of special education students is contingent upon availability of special education services.
Priority Criteria Ranking for Applications | |
---|---|
Priority Rank #1 |
|
Priority Rank #2 |
|
Priority Rank #3 |
|
Review Date |
2025-26 Application Review Timeline: CGC Gr. 1-6 |
---|---|
November 4, 2024 | Priority applications submitted between October 1, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. and October 31, 2024 will be reviewed. |
December 2, 2024 | Any qualified applications submitted between November 1, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. and November 30, 2024 will be reviewed. |
January 6, 2025 | Any qualified applications submitted between December 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024 will be reviewed. |
February 3, 2025 |
Priority applications submitted between January 1, 2025 and January 31, 2025 will be reviewed. |
March 3, 2025 | Any qualified applications submitted between February 1, 2025 and February 29, 2025 will be reviewed. |
April 1, 2025 | Any qualified applications submitted between March 1, 2025 and March 31, 2025 will be reviewed. |
May 1, 2025 | Any qualified applications submitted between April 1, 2025 and April 30, 2025 will be reviewed. |
June 2, 2025 | Any qualified applications submitted between May 1, 2025 and May 31, 2025 will be reviewed. |
July 1, 2025 | Any qualified applications submitted between June 1, 2025 and June 30, 2025 will be reviewed. |
August 1, 2025 | Any qualified application submitted between July 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025 will be reviewed. |
Journey and Quest - Grades 7-8
Application criteria for Journey and Quest:
Applicants must meet one of the following four criteria, PLUS performing or highly performing in AASA reading and math in the previous school year.
- Gifted qualification at 97 percentile or higher in two areas: verbal, quantitative or non-verbal.
- Gifted qualification at 97 percentile or higher in one area, AND 90 percentile or higher in the other two areas.
- Gifted qualification at 97 percentile or higher in one area, AND 90 percentile or higher in one other area PLUS a principal recommendation**.
- IQ of 135 or higher.
**If a principal recommendation is needed, please contact the Gifted Education Department's Administrative Assistant to initiate the digital recommendation.
2025-26: Journey and Quest Application Timeline |
||
---|---|---|
October 1, 2024 | OPENS | Applicants who meet priority criteria. |
November 1, 2024 | OPENS | All qualified applicants. |
December 13, 2024 | EARLY DEADLINE |
If you applied between October 1, 2024 and November 30, 2024, you must confirm your enrollment by December 13, 2024 or your program space will be released to those who have confirmed enrollment and your student may be bumped. |
December 10, 2025 | CLOSES |
Applications, waitlist placements, transfers. |
2025-26 Journey and QUEST Application
2025-26 Journey and QUEST
Teacher Recommendation
- Applications will not be reviewed until all required documentation is submitted.
- Priority applicants must meet all qualifications in a priority rank.
- Applications will be reviewed in monthly cycles. Timestamps will only be used to sort applications into those cycles.
- Waitlists will be used for programs that reach enrollment capacity.
- Waitlisted students must reapply for the next school year if not placed by December.
- Transportation is not provided for students attending schools other than their home school.
- Placement of special education students is contingent upon availability of special education services.
Priority Criteria Ranking for Applications | |
---|---|
Priority Rank #1 |
|
Priority Rank #2 |
|
Priority Rank #3 |
|
Review Date |
2025-26 Application Review Timeline: Journey and Quest |
---|---|
November 4, 2024 | Priority applications submitted between October 1, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. and October 31, 2024 will be reviewed. |
December 2, 2024 | Any qualified applications submitted between November 1, 2024 and November 30, 2024 will be reviewed. |
January 6, 2025 | Any qualified applications submitted between December 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024 will be reviewed. |
February 3, 2025 |
Priority applications submitted between January 1, 2025 and January 31, 2025 will be reviewed. |
March 3, 2025 | Any qualified applications submitted between February 1, 2025 and February 29, 2025 will be reviewed. |
April 1, 2025 | Any qualified applications submitted between March 1, 2025 and March 31, 2025 will be reviewed. |
May 1, 2025 | Any qualified applications submitted between April 1, 2025 and April 30, 2025 will be reviewed. |
June 2, 2025 | Any qualified applications submitted between May 1, 2025 and May 31, 2025 will be reviewed. |
July 1, 2025 | Any qualified applications submitted between June 1, 2025 and June 30, 2025 will be reviewed. |
August 1, 2025 | Any qualified application submitted between July 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025 will be reviewed. |
Gifted Application Notes
Application Review Rubric
The following rubric is for: Comprehensive Gifted Kindergarten, Comprehensive Gifted Classroom Grades 1-6, Journey, and Quest gifted applications.
A rubric is a scoring tool that identifies different criteria in a specific, clear, and objective way. Using a rubric allows us to assess applications fairly and efficiently. The application rubric consists of 4 areas for review:
- Achievement scores
- Student self reflection
- Teacher input
- Additional extraneous information (if appropriate)
Please note that gifted test scores are not part of the review process as they are a requirement to initiate the application. The areas are evaluated on a scale of 1-4:
- Does not meet
- Partially meets
- Meets
- Exceeds
Each application is reviewed independently by two reviewers. If scores differ significantly a second review is performed by the team.
Transfer Requests
Requests for transfers between schools that have the Comprehensive Gifted Classrooms, or gifted middle school programs Journey or Quest, can be initiated by emailing the Gifted Education Department's Administrative Assistant. Contact information can be found under Contact Us on the right-hand side of this web page.
- Students must be currently enrolled in a Comprehensive Gifted Classroom, the Journey or Quest middle school programs, or on a waitlist.
- Transfer approval will depend on the enrollment space available at the requested school site.
- Placement of special education students into a Comprehensive Gifted Classroom or the Journey or Quest gifted middle school programs is contingent upon availability of special education services at the selected program site.
- Before or after school childcare enrollment through Community Education's Mascot Club does not transfer between schools. Parents/Guardians will need to verify with the Community Education Department that there is space available.
- Transfer requests will not be approved after the December cut-off date of the current school year. If requested after the December cut-off date, the transfer will not take effect until the following school year as long as there is space available. The current December cut-off date can be found on the corresponding program's application tab above.
More information regarding gifted testing required for program applications can be found here on our Gifted Testing webpage.