WCSD delivers a continuum of services aligned to a rigorous and differentiated curriculum in which students are challenged to take supported risks, to pursue their maximum intellectual potential, develop talent, and increase depth of understanding.
Is my student a high ability learner?
Traits of Giftedness
No gifted individual is exactly the same, each with his own unique patterns and traits. There are many traits that gifted individuals have in common, but no gifted learner exhibits traits in every area. This list of traits may help you better understand whether or not your child is gifted.
Cognitive |
Creative |
Affective |
Behavioral |
|
Keen power of abstraction Interest in problem-solving and applying concepts Voracious and early reader Large vocabulary Intellectual curiosity Power of critical thinking, skepticism, self-criticism Persistent, goal-directed behavior Independence in work and study Diversity of interests and abilities |
Creativeness and inventiveness Keen sense of humor Ability for fantasy Openness to stimuli, wide interests Intuitiveness Flexibility Independence in attitude and social behavior Self-acceptance and unconcern for social norms Radicalism Aesthetic and moral commitment to self-selected work |
Unusual emotional depth and intensity Sensitivity or empathy to the feelings of others High expectations of self and others, often leading to feelings of frustration Heightened self-awareness, accompanied by feelings of being different Easily wounded, need for emotional support Need for consistency between abstract values and personal actions Advanced levels of moral judgment Idealism and sense of justice |
Spontaneity Boundless enthusiasm Intensely focused on passions—resists changing activities when engrossed in own interests Highly energetic—needs little sleep or down time Constantly questions Insatiable curiosity Impulsive, eager and spirited Perseverance—strong determination in areas of importance High levels of frustration—particularly when having difficulty meeting standards of performance (either imposed by self or others) Volatile temper, especially related to perceptions of failure Non-stop talking/chattering |
Source: Clark, B. (2008). Growing up gifted (7th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
How do I refer my student?
The process for referring a student for testing, identifying that students' needs, and developing services based on those needs involves:
- a parent survey
- this survey gives valuable information about the student; not just academic, but social, emotional, and developmental aspects as well.
- a teacher survey
- this survey looks at attendance, academic, participation, emotional, developmental and other factors.
- testing
- testing begins with a screener
- students who score well on the screener continue on with the rest of the assessments
- these assessments are the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) and the Iowa
- if you would like further information about these assessments, please reach out to {This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.}
- teacher and parent collaboration
- after data is gathered, teachers and parents can work together to develop a plan for the student
- first grade students are universally screened in the fall--you do not need to refer your first grade student for high ability testing
When is testing?
Testing is done two times each year at the elementary schools: October/November and January/February. Please contact your school for specific information.
If you have moved into the District after testing has been completed for the year, please fill out this survey. Testing is done during the summer.
Who do I contact at my school for info?
| School Name | Facilitator Name | Facilitator Email |
| Arrowhead | Alisha Miller | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Bloomington | Jennilyn Stuart | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Bloomington Hills | Chelsie Merrill | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Coral Canyon | Kristin Humphries | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Coral Cliffs | Tammy Peterson | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Crimson View | Melody Thieme | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Desert Canyons | Richa Biasi | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Diamond Valley | Darlene Tanner | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Paradise Canyon | Kristin Holyoak | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Enterprise | Tara Messersmith | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Heritage | Brooklyn McLaws | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Horizon | Alena Ogden | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Hurricane | Tasha Winegar | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| LaVerkin | Brittany Faiga | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Legacy | Nichol Lyman | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Little Valley | Heather Day | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Little Valley | MaCail Wright | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Majestic | Yvonne Fordham | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Panorama | Chris Barrett | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Red Mountain | Emma Leavitt | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Riverside | Michelle Green | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Sandstone | Diane Harrison | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Santa Clara | Daven Trammell | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| South Mesa | Nikayla Ruiz | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Springdale | Chris Snodgress | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Sunset | Brylee Nixon | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Three Falls | Lana Eldredge | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Washington | Erin Fisher | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
| Water Canyon | Nicole Sjo | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., |
What events are offered for enrichment?
To enter the Washington County Youth Creative Writing Contest, use this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXaUP-cgx9aLKnfUXbsH6q1eUDPRh6lm3KrLFGBz6-BOEa8g/viewform
For information, see the flyer below.
What services are offered in WCSD?
Washington County School District offers an array of services for our advanced students; in the classroom, grade-level, school-wide, and District based.
This continuum of services can include pull-out, enrichment, acceleration, grouping, mentoring, service opportunities and academic competitions. These options begin the elementary schools. Also available in the elementary schools is the Advanced Learning Program, offered at two schools. These schools offer high ability classes in grades 1-5. Students must score well on the advanced assessments and be invited to attend these magnet schools.
The Advanced Learning Program offers a unique environment for the high ability learner; the pace is quick and the learning is deep and complex. Curriculum and strategies are geared specifically to this type of learner. Social and emotional aspects of the high ability learner are also addressed.
The need for gifted education does not end at the end of the elementary years. Secondary gifted education should build upon a challenging curriculum introduced in the elementary years. Gifted education should include strong mentoring; sustained enrichment; and opportunities to work with peer networks.
What about whole grade acceleration or grade-skipping?
**Maureen Marron spends a lot of time thinking about how schools can meet the needs of high-ability students. An associate research scientist at the Connie Belin and Jacqueline N. Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development at the University of Iowa, Marron sees grade skipping as just one option in an academic tool kit known as “acceleration.”
“Skipping a grade isn’t the answer for every gifted student,” Marron says. “Acceleration means matching the curriculum to a student’s abilities. For one student, that may mean grade skipping; for another, it may mean acceleration in a single subject, like math; for other students, enrichment-based activities in the classroom are all they need.” Other acceleration options for high-performing children can include starting kindergarten early, taking AP courses in high school, or fast-tracking to college.**
Washington County School District has a dedicated process for acceleration consideration that takes into account academic achievement, ability, social and emotional readiness, and other factors. If you are interested in having your child considered for whole grade acceleration, please contact your school's principal to begin the process.