Carol Swalley, Ed.D.
Administrator - Gifted and Talented

Personnel in Learning Services

Gifted Education is part of the Language, Culture, and Equity Department. Our mission is to provide all students with access to an equitable education.

The Gifted and Talented Program in Thompson School District is structured to meet the unique, high ability learning needs of students. The Gifted Education program is based on referral for consideration and subsequent assessment. A referral can come from many sources at any time during the school year.

Those persons between the ages of four and twenty-one whose aptitude or competence in abilities, talents, and potential for accomplishment in one or more domains are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational programming needs. Gifted children are hereafter referred to as gifted students. Children under five who are gifted may also be provided with early childhood special educational services. Gifted students include gifted students with disabilities (i.e. twice-exceptional) and students with exceptional abilities or potential from all socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural populations. Gifted students are capable of high performance, exceptional production, or exceptional learning behavior by virtue of any or a combination of these areas of giftedness:

• General or specific intellectual ability
• Specific academic aptitude
• Creative or productive thinking
• Leadership abilities
• Visual arts, performing arts, musical or psychomotor abilities 12.01(16)

 View the Gifted and Talented Parent Handbook.