Academically Gifted

GCS does not formally identify students for AG eligibility until 2nd grade. However, this does not negate the need for differentiated instruction in the primary grades. For students in grades K-2, the AG Department provides consultative or talent development services. 

K-2 Consultative Services

The AG department supports the K-2 classroom teacher in recognizing gifted characteristics and modifying instructional practices in order to personalize learning and cultivate academic and intellectual growth. This occurs through a collaborative process between the classroom teacher and the school-based AG team. 

• Upon availability of new data, the classroom teacher and the AG teacher consult to establish appropriate modifications to meet the academic and intellectual needs of students who are performing well above their grade level peers.

• The AG teacher may identify resources, structures, strategies, and environmental adjustments to aid in appropriate differentiation.

• The AG teacher monitors the implemented measures and provides continuous support which may include additional modifications.

• Consultation may lead to more structured adjustments to the learning environment:
  • Clustering: Assignment to a classroom with other students that demonstrate the need for differentiated instruction
  • Curriculum Compacting: Curriculum will be adapted to meet student’s needs
  • Subject Acceleration: Pending Principal’s approval
  • Grade Acceleration: Pending Principal’s approval

Talent Development

The AG department acknowledges the need to deliberately cultivate the ability of students to promote their academic success.  To that end, elementary AG teachers provide Talent Development services that aim to increase AG identification of students from underrepresented populations.  These services are provided to students in grades K – 5. 

Participation in our Talent Development services is determined on an annual basis and is dependent upon student performance and scheduling capacity. Since talent development services is based on the student’s performance in their local environment (school), these services are not guaranteed should a child transfer to another school/school district during the school year. The programs for students in grades K-2 are:

K – 1 Nurture Program:

Using the Primary Education Thinking Skills (PETS) Curriculum students at select schools receive weekly whole group enrichment opportunities that help them develop critical thinking strategies.  Upon observation from both the classroom teacher and AG teacher, select students are pulled for more individualized or small group enrichment. 

Grade 2 Nurture:

Using the Primary Education Thinking Skills (PETS) Curriculum elementary AG teachers visit second grade classrooms to conduct whole-group lessons focusing on creative and critical thinking skills.  The program aims to create scholarly classroom environments that fully engage students in the critical thinking process.  Upon completion of the whole-group lessons, the AG teacher provides small group enrichment to students identified using classroom observations and available data.  It is the expectation of the AG Department that the Grade 2 Nurture program is implemented at all schools.

AG Students in High School are served through the district's many options for advanced coursework and choice schools particularly appropriate for gifted learners. 

Click each link below to learn more:

• Advanced Placement 
• International Baccalaureate Diploma Program
• The Early College at Guilford
• STEM Early College at NC A&T

As students prepare to pursue post-secondary opportunities, they may wish to take one or more College Readiness Assessments, such as the SAT and the ACT. While many colleges remain "test optional", more and more universities, particularly the most competitive ones, are requesting test scores once again.

Every GCS 10th and 11th grader takes the PSAT/NMSQT free of charge during the school day during the month of October. This assessment provides useful information regarding potential AP courses the student may wish to consider, as well as offers excellent practice for the SAT admissions exam.

The SAT is offered on multiple weekend dates throughout the year at multiple GCS sites. These dates are determined and announced by the College Board. 

GCS 10th graders will also take the Pre-ACT during the school day, which helps to prepare them for the ACT test, also administered free of charge to every 11th grader in the state of North Carolina. Students may also opt to take the ACT independently on a national weekend test date. GCS high schools offer ACT Prep opportunities, which include an ACT Prep Canvas Course and may be accompanied by in-person tutorial sessions during or after school.