Gifted Services

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Cartwright Elementary School District

Parent Information

The Cartwright School District strives to keep parents informed and involved. Parents should know that:

Testing is available for students on a periodic basis, at three separate times per year.
Teachers are given Characteristics Checklist to use when nominating students for testing.
A parent may refer his or her child for testing for gifted eligibility.
At least one week prior to testing, a letter is sent to the student’s parent informing him or her of the upcoming test.
Permission is obtained for testing from the parent. A parent may withhold permission for the testing.
A letter is mailed within 30 school days, informing parents of test results.
Upon request, test results are explained to the parents.

FAQ:

How do I know if my child is eligible for gifted services?

Students who score at the 88th percentile or higher on a state-approved abilities assessment qualify for the Cartwright Gifted Education Program.

Who is eligible for entrance into the Site Based Gifted School Program?

Students who score at the 96th percentile or higher on a state-approved abilities assessment

Students who score in the 80th percentile or higher in the verbal and quantitative areas of the Cognitive Abilities Test and in the 90th percentile or higher in any area of the Cognitive Abilities Test qualify for entrance into the Cartwright Gifted Education Site Based Gifted Program.

My child was identified as gifted. Does he/she need to be re-tested each year?

No, once identified as gifted in the Cartwright School District, students do not need to be reassessed.
While students do not need to be reassessed, some students who qualified using the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test choose to be retested using the Cognitive Abilities Test to try to additionally qualify in the areas of verbal or quantitative.
Some families also choose to have their children re-tested in order to become eligible for acceptance into the Site-based Gifted Schools.

For questions, please contact:

Dr. Cecilia Sanchez, Director of Special Services: 623-691-4087

Meredith Seara, Assistant Director of Special Services: 623-691-5917

Kate Garis, Gifted Education Specialist: 623-691-3966

Additional Information:

Atkinson Middle School Gifted Program

4315 N Maryvale Pkwy, Phoenix

(623) 691-1700

Dr. Diana Romito, Principal

Michael Dostall, Assistant Principal

Joe Hessburg, Assistant Principal

Programming:

The Middle School Gifted Program is for gifted students who are assigned full time to classes that will contain a high percentage of gifted students. This gifted program has specific entrance criteria and program goals, which the child must meet prior to entrance. Our rigorous program is designed to meet the needs of academically gifted students who demonstrate exceptional creativity and possess a high aptitude in academic areas.

Eligibility:

Students who score at the 96th percentile or higher on a state-approved abilities assessment

students who score in the 80th percentile or higher in the verbal and quantitative areas of the Cognitive Abilities Test and in the 90th percentile or higher in any area of the Cognitive Abilities Test qualify for entrance into the Cartwright Gifted Education Middle School Program.

IB Candidacy:

Atkinson Middle School is beginning their International Baccalaureate (IB) candidacy journey beginning in the 2017-2018 school year.

“The aim of this program is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world. An IB education centers on learners, develops effective approaches to teaching and learning, works within global contexts, and explores significant content”

Students accepted into the Middle School Gifted Program will be placed into classes with IB trained teachers.

Transportation:

Students that are accepted into the Gifted Program can choose to be bussed to Atkinson Middle School from their neighborhood bus stop and/or home school and can be bussed back every day after school.

Glenn L. Downs Gifted Program

3600 N 47th Ave, Phoenix

(623) 691-4200

Vivian Nash, Principal

Leslie King, Assistant Principal

Programming:

The Cartwright Elementary School District Gifted Program is for gifted students who are assigned full time to classes that will contain a high percentage of gifted students. This gifted program has specific entrance criteria and program goals, which the child must meet prior to entrance. Our rigorous program is designed to meet the needs of academically gifted students who demonstrate exceptional creativity and possess a high aptitude in academic areas.

Eligibility:

Students who score at the 96th percentile or higher on a state-approved abilities assessment

students who score in the 80th percentile or higher in the verbal and quantitative areas of the Cognitive Abilities Test and in the 90th percentile or higher in any area of the Cognitive Abilities Test qualify to apply for entrance into the Cartwright Gifted Education Elementary School Program.

Focus:

Our focus for the last few years has been to create a positive school culture; one that makes our school the hub of the neighborhood. A safe place where students feel secure...a place where they will want to show their respect toward the building and the grounds, as well as the people inside.

We want students to enjoy school and we want parents to know we have their child’s best interest at heart in every decision we make.

We strive to place that same emphasis and intentionality into student academic success. We are not doing this for a test score, but to give our kids every opportunity they deserve. The same heart we put into making Downs fun, we put into making sure that Downs is first and foremost a learning institution.

Our goal is to be one of the elite schools that is successful at combining both visions into one phenomenal reality. We want to be a safe, secure, and fun place to receive a world class education. We want our students to look back at us with fondness. We want them to look ahead knowing they are capable of obtaining whatever goal they set for themselves.

Transportation:

Students that are accepted into the Gifted Program at Downs can choose to be bussed to Glenn L. Downs from their neighborhood bus stop and/or home school and can be bussed back every day after school.

School Site Support Specialists

Along with having cluster classrooms at each campus, each school site has a district specialist assigned to support both the students and staff on that campus.

Kate Garis-623-691-3966

kate.garis@csd83.org

Tarver

Tomahawk

Starlight Park

Kayla Busse-623-691-3961

kayla.busse@csd83.org

Peralta

Spitalny

Peña

Davidson

Christa Schwaiger-623-691-3970