Our Mission

We affirm that gifted learners have unique cognitive, emotional, and social needs and deserve targeted and individualized services. We amplify the voice of gifted learners by advocating for their needs, educating educators, and involving families and the community to inspire all students to challenge the edge of their potential and embrace excellence.

Definition of Gifted and Talented

Gifted children means those persons between the ages of four and twenty-one whose aptitude or competence in abilities, talents, and potential for accomplishment in one or more domains are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational programming needs. Gifted and talented children are hereafter referred to as gifted students.

Children under five who are gifted may also be provided with early childhood special educational services. Gifted students include gifted students with disabilities (i.e. twice exceptional) and students with exceptional abilities or potential from all socio-economic and ethnic, cultural populations. Gifted students are capable of high performance, exceptional production, or exceptional learning behavior by virtue of any or a combination of these areas of giftedness:

    • General or specific intellectual ability

    • Specific academic aptitude

    • Creative or productive thinking

    • Leadership abilities

    • Visual arts, performing arts, musical or psychomotor abilities

Aurora Public Schools serves gifted and high potential students through the support of a district Director of Advanced Academics and Gifted Services, five district Teachers on Special Assignment, and one or more Gifted and Talented Leaders in each school building. Aurora recognizes gifted identifications of students from military families who have transferred to APS schools. For more information about what is happening with gifted education at your schools, please contact your GT leader.



District Support Staff

GT Leaders in Schools