Gifted & Talented

Universal Screening: In Adams 12 Five Star Schools, 2nd and 6th graders who are not already identified GT participate in the Universal Screening process for potential gifted and talented identification. Find more detailed information regarding Universal Screening in the Five Star District.  

Important dates for the Universal Screening process at our school: 

9/23/24 Second Grade Naglieri Screener

2/11/25 Sixth Grade CoGAT Screener

3/11/25-3/14/25 All Grades Testing

 

Parent/Staff/Student GT Recommendation: All students can participate in the GT identification process by submitting a complete body of evidence. Find more detailed information regarding the GT recommendation process in the Five Star District. 

If you are interested in having your child be considered for the GT identification process, please complete the form below by 2/5/25: Parent Nomination Form.  You will receive an email confirmation the next day.  If you are having issues, please contact marisa.a.lucero@adams12.org.  

 

Important dates for the Universal Screening process at our school: 

9/23/24	Second Grade Screener
2/5/25	All Grades permission form due
2/11/25	Sixth Grade CogAT
3/11/25-3/14/25	All Grades Testing

 

Advanced Curriculum & Extended Learning:  “The Vehicle”

Provides the depth and complexity needed to ensure meaningful academic growth

Our school offerings include:

At Thunder Vista, this looks like teachers meeting weekly in data teams to review student data and create unit plans that offer access and extension for all students through learning opportunities embedded into grade level units of study.  Students have opportunities to show advanced understanding of the standards.  

Differentiated Learning Pathways:  “The Roadmap”

Provides an education at the appropriate level of readiness and challenge

Our school offerings include:

At Thunder Vista, this looks like teachers providing choice and challenge within their lessons through differentiation. Teachers engage in collaborative planning and professional learning to continuously grow themselves as educators and teach in a responsive way using current best practices.  Teachers provide learning opportunities in the classroom such as:

• Depth and Complexity

• Collaborative Learning Structures

• 3 Act Maths

• Questioning strategies to deepen student thinking and engagement in productive struggle

• Inquiry Structures

• SEL connected to academics

• Morning Meetings

• Culture of Mistakes and Growth Mindset

• Restorative Conversations

• Engaging lessons to teach the standards in a rigorous and relevant way

Individualized Opportunities & Enrichment:  “The Customized Options”

Actively engages and motivates through interests and meaningful learning opportunities

Our school offerings include:

At Thunder Vista, this looks like the extra curricular and elective class offerings as well as using student interview information to integrate their interests into regular instruction.

Please visit the Clubs and Activities tab for details on each club and activity.

Our school offerings include: 

• Battle of the Books

• Community Service Club

• Coding Club

• Gay-Straight Alliance Club

• Kindness Club

• Science Matters

• Math Counts

• Middle School Athletics

• Mile High Chess Club

• Noetic Math Club

• Thunderstruck grades 4 and 5 percussion ensemble

• Stretch and Grow Yoga Stars

• Student Leadership

• Yearbook Club

• Kids Create Studio Glitter and Glow

• Spanish Language Learning

Offered only for middle school selected students:

• Honor Choir

• Honor Band

• Honor Orchestra

• Student Leadership

Social-Emotional Learning:  “The Destination” 

Focuses on developing the whole child by balancing empowerment and accountability

Our school offerings include:

At Thunder Vista, this looks like:

• Advisory classes in middle school to support social and emotional growth

• Second Step Social and Emotional Curriculum for K-5

• Restorative, instructional, proactive, and regulatory approach to discipline (i.e. Conscious Discipline)

• Cultures of Dignity Social and Emotional Curriculum

• Access to student family outreach programs

• Positive Behavior Intervention Systems including the common language of Buffalo Beliefs

• House systems with assemblies

• A robust mental wellness team with 2 counselors, a psychologist, and a Social Emotional Learning Specialist (SEL)

Link to Website: https://www.a12gifted.org/