Parent Info & Resources
This page connects families with resources, learning opportunities, and ongoing updates about gifted learning in SUSD.
Explore guides, attend events, and stay connected throughout the year.
Featured Information Nights
Expanded Program Information
PreK Cluster Information
Our Gifted Cluster PreK program is a tuition-based program for 4-year-old children who will be school eligible in the fall and identified at the 90th percentile or higher on an ability (IQ) assessment.
The program offers the best of both worlds, a developmental learning environment with typical peers and small group interactions with like-minded peers.
- Emphasis on critical and creative thinking
- Accelerated and enriched curriculum
- Integrated technology
- Flexible Grouping
- Teachers are Early Childhood Certified and hold or are working toward a Gifted Endorsement.
- The Gifted Cluster PreK follows the SUSD district calendar.
- Transportation is not provided for preschool students.
A child must be 4 years old on or before August 31, to be eligible to attend the Gifted Cluster PreK program.
Must be identified at the 90th percentile on an ability (IQ) test for program application. Parents may seek private testing or may schedule testing through our district by contacting Community Education at 480-484-7900.
- Application submitted to the SUSD Gifted Office. An acceptance letter will be emailed after the application is reviewed.
- Registration and fee payment to SUSD Community Education. A letter of acceptance is required for registration.
Children entering after September 1st must successfully complete a gifted preschool screening for eligibility for the program.
Tuition is $800 per month.
- Meetings & Information
- Contacts for the Gifted Cluster Pre-K
- How can my child be identified for the Gifted Cluster Pre-K?
- What is the selection process to be eligible for the Gifted Cluster Pre-K?
- 2026-2027 Gifted PreK Cluster Application
- If I sign up preschool, will the fees transfer to Gifted Cluster Pre-K?
Meetings & Information
Kiva 2026-2027 Tours
The Kiva Cougars offer tours by appointment. Please call 480-484-2200. For more information visit Kiva’s website.
Redfield 2026-2027 Tours
The Redfield Cardinals offer tours by appointment. Please use the link on their page Redfield website, or call 480-484-4000 to schedule a tour.
Tavan 2026-2027 Tours
The Tavan Wildcats offer tours by appointment. Please use the link on their page Tavan website
Contacts for the Gifted Cluster Pre-K
| Community Education 7501 E Oak St. Scottsdale, AZ 85250 (480) 484-7932 |
Kiva Elementary School 6911 E. McDonald Drive Paradise Valley, AZ 85253 Matt Gromek Principal (480) 484-2200 |
| Tavan Elementary School 4610 E Osborn Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85018 Julie Ballard Principal (480) 484-3500 |
Redfield Elementary School 9181 E Redfield Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Dr. Amanda Rand Principal (480) 484-4000 |
| Gifted Learning and Acceleration Department 8500 E. Jackrabbit Road Scottsdale, AZ 85250 Sabrina Heavlin Administrative Assistant (480) 484-5014 |
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How can my child be identified for the Gifted Cluster Pre-K?
There are multiple ways to determine if your child is eligible to join the Gifted Pre-K.
- Testing to determine eligibility is available for a non-refundable fee of $120 at the Community Education Office at 7500 E Oak St., Scottsdale, AZ 85250. Once you pay your testing fee, contact the Community Education office to schedule your child’s one-to-one test session at (480) 484-7932. All students must be 4 years old on or before August 31st. (SUSD reserves the right to determine what assessments will be used.)
- Licensed Psychologist reports using any age appropriate instrument identified on the ADE “State Approved Test List for the Identification of Gifted Students in Arizona” can be submitted for review to giftedlearning@susd.org. Generally, results such as the WPPSI, DAS, Stanford Binet or Woodcock-Johnson Test of Cognitive Abilities are accepted in SUSD. Original psychologist reports must be submitted for review. For more information on how to submit reports, contact us at giftedlearning@susd.org.
What is the selection process to be eligible for the Gifted Cluster Pre-K?
- Provide application and test results indicating your child’s possible eligibility to the SUSD Gifted Office.
- If your child meets the entry requirements for acceptance into the Gifted Cluster Pre-K, a letter will be sent by email. To accept your position you will then register for the class at the Community Ed office. It is a first come, first served process. Call (480) 484-7900 for more information.
- Print your invitation letter and go to the Community Education Office to pay a non-refundable $75 registration fee and the first month’s tuition of $800 to accept your membership in the Gifted Cluster Pre-K. The parent has two business days from the time the email is sent to pay. This completes the selection process. If after two days and the registration is not complete, then the membership may be offered to the next in line.
- Selection is based on multiple factors:
- Gifted and High Potential Indicators
- First Come First Serve
- Residence in-district SUSD boundaries and the SUSD Open Enrollment priorities
- Parents will be notified by mail if their child is 1) fully accepted and invited, 2) probationary acceptance with a later possible follow-up invitation, or 3) does not qualify for Gifted Cluster Pre-K and is eligible for the standard Community Education Pre-Kindergarten programs at your local schools.
- Wait Lists are determined by number of students placed in the program.
2026-2027 Gifted PreK Cluster Application
2026-2027 School Year Application Timeline |
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January 6, 2026 |
OPENS |
**Applicants who meet priority criteria** |
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February 9, 2026 |
OPENS |
All Applicants |
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December 9, 2026 |
CLOSES |
Applications, waitlist placement, transfers |
Students must be 4 years old before August 31st of the relevant school year.
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Applications will not be reviewed until all required documentation has been submitted.
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When a Gifted PreK Cluster program reaches enrollment capacity, approved applications will be placed on a waitlist.
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Placement of special education students into the Gifted PreK Cluster Program is contingent upon availability of special education services at the selected site.
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Applicants must meet one of the two following criteria.
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Gifted qualification at 90 percentile or higher in one of these areas: verbal, non-verbal, and quantitative.
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IQ of 128 or higher
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2026-2027 Gifted PreK Cluster Application
If I sign up preschool, will the fees transfer to Gifted Cluster Pre-K?
Elementary Program
Elementary school gifted programs provide advanced and enriched learning opportunities tailored to the needs of high-achieving students. These programs often include accelerated coursework, critical thinking exercises, and creative projects to foster intellectual growth and development.
Cluster Grouping
Cluster Grouping
In The Cluster Grouping Model, gifted students are clustered into a mixed-ability classrooms at each grade level. The teacher is trained in understanding, planning for, and instructing gifted students. Gifted Specialists assist cluster teachers with scheduling, provide professional development in gifted education, and facilitate with the planning and implementation of differentiated curriculum. In this model, gifted students receive differentiated curriculum and instruction in all content areas on a daily basis.
Classroom compositions are carefully structured with two main goals: to ensure that there is a balance throughout the grade level, and to reduce the learning range found in any given classroom. This system provides opportunities for teachers to more readily respond to the needs of all their students.
Gifted cluster teachers plan appropriately challenging instruction for their gifted students. This may involve acceleration, enrichment, and various extended learning opportunities targeted to develop the following skills through learning in the content areas:
- Logical thinking
- Reasoning skills
- Critical and creative thinking
- Problem-solving
Gifted students receive instruction that is differentiated in content, process, product, learning environment and assessment:
- Content — Complex, abstract ideas presented in a variety of disciplines, including interdisciplinary curriculum
- Process — Higher-level thinking through Bloom’s Taxonomy and the Multiple Intelligences
- Products — Alternative methods of demonstrating mastery with a range of complexity
- Learning environment — Student-centered, flexible grouping based on readiness, interests, and abilities
- Assessment — Pre-assessment and testing out-of-grade level curriculum
Students qualify for gifted services at SUSD by obtaining a score at or above the 97th percentile in verbal, quantitative, and/or nonverbal areas and/or a Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) of 128 or above.
Integrated ELA/Accelerated Math
Content Replacement
Gifted Elementary Specialists provide content replacement to gifted students for grades 3-5. Students may receive Accelerated Math and/or Integrated ELA, depending on their area(s) of need. Students receive content replacement in lieu of the grade level curriculum provided in their homeroom classes. Curriculum in these content areas is accelerated and enriched to an appropriately challenging level.
In Accelerated Math, students accelerate through grade level content, participate in projects with application of the concepts learned, and engage with above level content. In ELA, students move beyond the regular classroom ELA curriculum using advanced levels of analysis and critical thinking with research based curricula designed specifically for the gifted learner.
SUSD gifted specialists are state certified and have specific certification and training to work with gifted students. District Gifted Coaches provide support to cluster teachers and gifted specialists. Additional enrichments and integrated learning opportunities are provided across the grade levels by the cluster teachers.
Curricula in Accelerated Math and Integrated ELA include:
- Shared Inquiry/Socratic Questioning
- Project-Based/Problem-Based Learning
- Study of Greek and Latin Roots
- Elements of Reasoning
- College of William & Mary Curriculum
- Junior Great Books
- Technology-Based Integration
- Acceleration across Content Areas
- Academic Competitions
Middle School Program
At each middle school, gifted students have academic and elective classes, as well as extra-curricular options from which to choose.
Classrooms incorporate a variety of best practice teaching strategies to meet the academic and affective needs of gifted learners. These strategies may include differentiated instruction, independent projects, extension opportunities, and curriculum compacting. Honors and Advanced teachers are trained in the characteristics and learning needs of gifted students and receive support from the school's Gifted Specialist.
Course Offerings
Gifted students qualify for placement into Honors, Advanced classes, and Gifted Electives based on academic need.
Honors courses are offered at multiple middle school campuses. Gifted students may receive services through the cluster grouping model at schools without an honors section.
All Middle Schools offer electives designed specifically for gifted students. These electives are project-based and focus on Architecture, Visual Images, and Engineering. Additionally, an Independent Investigations course is offered that allows the gifted learner to select a topic for exploration.
High School Program
High school gifted programs provide rigorous academic pathways, including Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, to prepare students for college and beyond. These programs also offer specialized electives, research opportunities, and mentorship to cultivate students' talents and interests.
- Scottsdale Math and Science Academy at Saguaro High School
- International Baccalaureate at Desert Mountain High School
- Early College Campus at Coronado High School
Scottsdale Math and Science Academy at Saguaro High School
International Baccalaureate at Desert Mountain High School
Early College Campus at Coronado High School
Registration Forms
- Registration for Comprehensive Gifted Program Tour
- Is My Child Gifted? Understanding the Gifted Testing Process with SUSD's Gifted Department
Registration for Comprehensive Gifted Program Tour
Tour Dates
Arcadia
Learning Community
Ingleside Middle: 10:10–11:00 a.m.
- September 11, 2026
- December 11, 2026
- January 29, 2027
- April 9, 2027
Tavan Elementary: 9:00–10:00 a.m.
- September 10, 2026
- December 10, 2026
- January 28, 2027
- April 8, 2027
Saguaro
Learning Community
Kiva Elementary: 9:00–10:00 a.m.
- August 31, 2026
- November 30, 2026
- January 25, 2027
- April 5, 2027
Desert Mountain
Learning Community
Desert Canyon Middle: 8:00–9:00 a.m.
- September 2, 2026
- December 2, 2026
- January 27, 2027
- April 7, 2027
Redfield Elementary: 9:00–10:00 a.m.
- September 1, 2026
- December 1, 2026
- January 26, 2027
- April 6, 2027
Is My Child Gifted? Understanding the Gifted Testing Process with SUSD's Gifted Department
Parent Resources
Resource Links for Parents
Arizona Association for Gifted & Talented
Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented (AAGT) is a nonprofit organization of educators, parents and community members working together to better meet the unique needs of our gifted and talented students in Arizona.
Arizona Department of Education
The Gifted Education Unit provides leadership and assistance to Arizona public schools in providing appropriate gifted education services K-12 for their gifted and advanced learners (approximately 8% of Arizona’s public school population), so they may develop and achieve according to their abilities and potential.
National Association for Gifted Children
NAGC works to support those who enhance the growth and development of gifted and talented children through education, advocacy, community building, and research.
Gifted 101
In This Section
What Is Giftedness?
No two gifted individuals are exactly the same, each with his/her own unique patterns and traits.
There are many traits that gifted individuals have in common, but few gifted learners exhibit traits in every area. Review the "Characteristics of Gifted Children" and the "Gifted Characteristics Checklist" to help you better understand if gifted testing is appropriate for your child.
Contact Us
Gifted Learning
480-484-5014
Sarah Torrilhon M. Ed.
Director of Gifted Learning Services
Jessica Lindberg
Admin. Support Coordinator
480-484-5014
Colleen Felix
District Gifted Coach
Lynette Harper
District Gifted Coach