Gifted & Talented Program
We help gifted students reach their full potential
At American Leadership Academy, we want to help each and every student reach her or his full potential. Our gifted program allows students with gifted or accelerated capacities to thrive in an environment that is both challenging and appropriate for their unique needs and learning styles. This furthers our mission to provide the best educational experience for as many students as possible in a moral and wholesome environment.
Schedule a tour today to learn more about your school's Gifted Education Program!
Gifted Program Overview
Gifted students in grades 2-6 participate in a pull-out program, in which they attend a separate class twice a week. This pull-out class is offered during designated “enrichment” blocks, and allows gifted students to participate in all general classroom activities
For a full detailed layout plan of our AZ Gifted Education Program see our Gifted Scope & Sequence.
Webb's Depth of Knowledge
In this program, gifted students are able to work among their peers on cross-curricular units that extend beyond the general lessons. Gifted teachers utilize Webb's "Depth of Knowledge" scale to encourage students to reach their full potential.
| DOK-1 | DOK-2 | DOK-3 | DOK-4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| RECALL & REPRODUCE | APPLY KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS/ BASIC REASONING | STRATEGIC THINKING | EXTENSIVE THINKING |
| Who? | How did it take place? | How can I make use of it to solve a problem? | What do you think, feel, or believe? |
| What? | Why did it take place? | Why does it solve the problem? | What will or could happen? |
| Where? | How does it operate? | What is the cause, effect, or reason? | What is the relationship? |
| When? | Why does it operate? | What are the intended and unexpected outcomes? | How did it influence? What if? |
Testing for Gifted Program at ALA
American Leadership Academy uses the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT), a widely-used, state-approved assessment to assess specific reasoning skills in areas that strongly correlate to academic success. The CogAT consists of three areas:
Verbal - used to assess a student's vocabulary, efficiency and verbal memory, ability to determine word relationships, and the ability to comprehend ideas.
Quantitative - used to assess a student's quantitative reasoning, problem solving abilities, and abstract reasoning.
Non-Verbal - used to assess a student's reasoning abilities through the use of spatial and figural content.
This test may be taken by any student who is referred by parents, teachers, or qualified ALA staff members. Qualification for gifted services is based on performance on this assessment. Students who score at or above the 97th percentile expectation for their grade will be considered eligible for the ALA gifted program. Placement testing for the gifted program occurs during the Fall and placement status is reviewed each spring.
Meet the ALA Gilbert Gifted Teacher
Ms. Shively
Vanessa Shively is the Gifted Teacher at the ALA Gilbert & Gilbert South Elementary Campuses. She brings in over two decades of experinece in education. Vanessa holds an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with a Gifted Endorsement. She has been dedicated to inspiring and educating students since 2002.
vanessa.shively@alaschools.org
Monthly Newsletters
Stay up to date with ALA Gilbert's Gifted Program! Our monthly newsletters highlight the exciting achievements, upcoming events, and inspiring projects our gifted students are working on.
Student Spotlight
2nd Grade - Insects
2nd graders became entomologists by researching characteristics and adaptations of various insects. Students then created a hybrid insect of their choice that would survive in a selected environment. Lastly, we practiced typing a paragraph to inform others about our unique insect.
4th Grade - Hydraulic Lifts
4th graders analyzed the moveable features of the Hess truck.
Using popsicle sticks, syringes and tubing, they built a hydraulic system to demonstrate how the piston in a hydraulic cylinder moves the ladder of the fire truck.
6th Grade - Garden
6th grade students have been working together to revive our school garden. They planted beans, carrots and sunflower seeds harvested from our plants last year. Students continue to improve the garden features by adding a shade tarp, netting to keep bunnies away and a watering schedule.
Learning Tools
FAQ - Questions About Gifted
Contact Us
Please contact your school's Gifted Teacher for any additional questions you have about gifted program testing, teachers, methods, or curriculums.
Schedule a campus tour and learn more about what makes American Leadership Academy the best choice for your gifted child.