Can Any Child Enroll in a Gifted School?

Children are all unique and carry with them distinct talents and abilities. Some are more gifted than others and may require a special educational plan to help them succeed. Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) is a program that caters to those special needs. Parents often wonder if all of their children can attend such a program, or if only their gifted children can. Beyond gifted programs, there are also gifted schools that focus specifically upon building to address the learning styles and diverse needs of gifted students. There are some things those parents may want to consider.

Speed of Learning

Gifted schools and GATE programs often move at a faster pace than regular schools do. This is because gifted students are sometimes many grade levels ahead of their peers and can think at a faster rate than other children their age. If a child does not fall into the gifted and talented category, they may not be able to keep up with the speed of learning as the other children. Of course, they may be gifted in other ways, which could be highlighted with a special education, so it is best to speak with a guidance counselor.

Qualifications

Most programs will have a list of qualifying factors that you can look at to see if your child meets the requirements. If you are unsure, an administrator at a gifted academy can help you to go over what is required to see if your child is a candidate. There are also tests that can be taken, and with a certain score, you will know whether or not a gifted and talented program is right for your child. An IQ test might be required, with a particular score that is the standard for the institution you are looking into.

As you can see, GATE programs and gifted schools are not for every child, but they might be for yours. If you are interested in learning more, it is a good idea to contact the administration of an academy near you.