As defined by the Georgia Department of Education, "a gifted student is one who demonstrates a high degree of intellectual, and/or creative abilities, exhibits an exceptionally high degree of motivation, and/or excels in specific academic fields, and who needs special instruction and/or special ancillary services to achieve at levels commensurate with his or her abilities."

According to the rules of the Georgia Department of Education, a student is eligible for placement in the Gifted Education Program if he or she meets eligibility requirements in Category I or Category II below.

I. Mental Ability and Achievement

• Grades K-2: Total score of 99 percentile on a mental ability test and achievement test score of 90 percentile in total reading, total math, or composite.
• Grades 3-12: Total score of 96 percentile on a mental ability test and achievement test score of 90 percentile in total reading, total math, or composite.

II. Multiple Criteria (Grades K-12). Student must meet criteria in three out of four of the following categories:

1. Mental Ability - 96 percentile score on a mental ability test.
2. Achievement - 90 percentile score in total reading, total math, or composite.
3. Creativity - 90 percentile score on a creativity test.
4. Motivation

K-5, ≥ 90th percentile on a standardized motivational characteristics rating scale

6-12 > Overall 85 academic average during the last two years in regular core subjects of mathematics, English/language arts, social studies, science, and full year world languages

Denise Cooper is the Gifted Testing Coordinator.