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Gifted Program
Nurturing Gifted Learners: Identification and Services
Apache Junction Unified School District’s Gifted Program is designed to identify and support students with advanced academic and creative abilities, while nurturing curiosity, critical thinking, and a love of learning. Services vary by grade level and are designed to provide appropriate challenge, enrichment, and growth.
Below is an overview of the program, along with resources and documents to support families as they learn more about gifted identification and services in AJUSD.
Program Overview
AJUSD is committed to recognizing, nurturing, and challenging the unique talents and potential of gifted and advanced learners and meeting the unique needs of gifted learners cognitively, academically, and socially. We promote the development and growth of giftedness, critical thinking, and lifelong learning through differentiated instruction, enrichment, acceleration, and high-level courses.
Effective January 1, 2007, Gifted Education for Gifted Children has mandated public school districts to create a Gifted Scope & Sequence outlining the identification process and provision of gifted services. ARS 15-779. Click here for AJUSD’s Gifted Scope & Sequence.
The Arizona Department of Education requires districts to screen and identify gifted students through specific assessments and opportunities. To better understand Gifted Identification, please review our Gifted Testing and Identification information.
Gifted services encompass a wide range of opportunities and enrichments available to gifted students, which can be provided by a general education teacher. Specific details regarding AJUSD’s gifted services can be found in our Overview of Gifted Services.
We value the input from and collaboration with our local community and encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns regarding gifted education.
Gifted Coordinator: Dr. Angie Thompson
Email: angela.thompson@goaj.org
Phone: (480) 982-1110 ext. 2054
Helpful Resources & Documents
The documents below contain official information related to gifted identification and services in AJUSD. These resources support transparency and consistency in how gifted services are provided across the district.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Early Entrance to Kindergarten – placing a child in Kindergarten who does not meet the district criteria for entering kindergarten (turning 5 years old on or before Aug. 31).
Whole Grade Acceleration - moves a child to a higher grade level for all classes.
Single Subject Acceleration - moves a child to a higher grade level in one subject area
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For grade-acceleration and, in some cases, subject acceleration, AJUSD uses the Iowa Acceleration Scale (IAS) to determine whether a student is a good candidate for acceleration. The IAS is not a test, but a research-based decision-making framework used by educators and school psychologists to ensure that the decision is made carefully, taking into account a wide range of factors beyond just academic achievement. It emphasizes that social/emotional readiness is just as important as academics. The Iowa Acceleration Scale help bring structure and balance to the decision-making process.
💡 Purpose of the Iowa Acceleration Scale
The IAS provides a structured way to:
- Evaluate whether whole-grade acceleration is appropriate.
- Consider both academic and non-academic factors.
- Reduce bias and subjectivity in decision-making.
- Facilitate discussion among parents, educators, and school teams.
Using the IAS score, professional judgment, and family input, the team makes a collaborative decision about whether to accelerate the student. If approved, they plan for the transition.
If Acceleration Is Approved - A transition plan is created (e.g., mid-year move or next school year), Students are given support (monitoring, check-ins) and progress is reviewed after the move.