Gifted and Talented

About Gifted & Talented Services

Allen ISD Gifted & Talented Services offers exceptional educational opportunities for K-12 students. Allen ISD Gifted and Talented Services provide academic enrichment to meet the unique social, emotional, and intellectual needs of gifted and talented students. Through the collaboration of students, educators, parents, and community members, we strive to ensure opportunities for students to maximize their potential and develop skills for life-long success. 

Gifted & Talented Services Information Webinars

This fall, AISD offered an informational webinar outlining K-12 GT services for the 2024-2025 school year. A recording of the webinar and copies of the slides are available through the links below.

24-25 Webinar Slides
Frequently Asked Questions
24-25 Webinar Recording

District Gifted/Talented Testing Statement

Allen ISD will provide students an opportunity to participate in assessment for GT services once per academic year. Per the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students, Allen ISD's gifted/talented identification and assessment procedures and qualification criteria consist of a minimum of three quantitative and qualitative measures. These include ability and achievement assessments, creative and critical thinking tasks, and parent and teacher input.

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Contact Gifted & Talented Services

612 E. Bethany Drive • Allen, TX 75002
972-727-0511 phone

Kari Lockhart
Coordinator of Advanced Academics & Gifted and Talented Services

Amy James
Instructional Specialist, Gifted & Talented

Vanessa Norman
Gifted & Talented Services

Email: gifted@allenisd.org

Elementary School Gifted and Talented (AIM)

AIM Services (Campus-based)

AIM services provide a homogeneous grouping of elementary (K-6) students identified for gifted/talented services. AIM curriculum is designed to maximize students’ academic potential through in-depth and complex explorations of interdisciplinary studies not included in the general education classroom. Learning extends and enriches learning across all content areas. In AIM, students are challenged to develop and grow their skills through a variety of integrated, multidisciplinary learning activities and projects.

AIM services take place in a pull-out setting (i.e., the student leaves his/her general education classroom to go to the AIM classroom) where students are grouped with a gifted and talented specialist teacher. Kindergarten AIM services begin in March.

Secondary Gifted and Talented (GEMS and Phoenix)

GEMS (Gifted Education Middle School) is Allen ISD's middle school program designed to meet the unique social, emotional, and intellectual needs of gifted/talented learners.

Through the collaboration of students, educators, parents, and community members, GEMS ensures opportunities for maximum growth and development for life-long success. GEMS provides courses in leadership, reading/language arts, social studies, and science.

Phoenix services G/T students in 9-12th grade at the Lowery Freshman Center and Allen High School. The Phoenix program is based on Advanced Placement (AP) English standards. Phoenix courses are as follows: 

  • 9th and 10th graders take advanced Phoenix English 

  • 11th and 12th graders take Phoenix Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) English.

The Phoenix program is a four-year course of study designed to challenge gifted/talented students as they engage in an integrated study of literature, history, and fine arts.

GEMS Programs, Grades 7 & 8

Phoenix Gifted And Talented Services, Grades 9-12

Resources for Families

Baylor TIP: Baylor University features a Talent Identification Program for advanced learners that offers above grade-level testing opportunities, Super Saturday activities at the university, summer programs, and more. Access the information webinar recording from October 1, 2024 here, and see presentation slides here.

National Association for Gifted Children Resources for Parents

Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented

Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted: Parenting