The administration and staff in Danville Public Schools strive to ensure that every student learns to his/her fullest potential. We recognize that many students come to us with an ability to learn skills and concepts at a faster rate and in greater depth than the traditional student. Our goal for these students is to provide them the opportunity to learn to their fullest potential.

Although formal gifted identification and programming does not begin until the second grade, students in kindergarten and first grade are provided multiple opportunities to learn at their own pace. Flexible groupings in reading and math provide students with the opportunity to accelerate in skills and content as appropriate.

Criteria used for identification includes:

• Scoring at least 80% or higher in Reading on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills

• Scoring at least 80% or higher in Math on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills

• Scoring a 120 or higher in any subtest of the Cogat on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills

• Referred by classroom teacher and/or building administrator

• Referred by parent and/or self

• Scoring 120 or higher on the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test

Students are identified during Spring and Summer in preparation for the next school year.
An appeal process is provided that allows for extenuating circumstances or conditions that might have failed to reflect the true potential/ability of the student. This appeal is initiated by a letter to Curriculum Coordinator.

Elementary School:
Elementary students in grades three, four and five identified for gifted programming attend self-contained classes at East Park Elementary School at 930 Colfax Drive. Classroom instruction expands and accelerates the traditional curriculum to accommodate the unique needs and interests of the students.

Middle School:
Middle school students in grades six, seven and eight identified for gifted programming attend self-contained classes at North Ridge Middle School at 1619 North Jackson Street. While classroom instruction continues to expand and accelerate the traditional curriculum, students may opt out-of or into a class based on individual strengths and interests.

High School:
Students at Danville High School have opportunity to participate in advanced programming through three different formats of courses:

• Honors Classes: Sixteen (16) course offerings

• Advanced Placement Courses: Eight (8) course offerings

• Dual Enrollment: Twenty (20) course offerings

• Participating students have graduated from Danville High School and enrolled in the college or university of their choice with as much as a year of college credit already on their transcript as a result of their participation in the High School

• Gifted Programming.

• Transportation for gifted programming is provided at no cost to the family.

• Testing with the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test for final identification of students for gifted programming takes place in late spring and early summer

The Gifted Advisory Council meets four times each year. The Council is comprised of parents with students enrolled in the MATS program.