High School - Gifted Program

Personalized STEAM Program for Gifted Students

IS MY CHILD GIFTED?
TESTING OPTIONS
ACHIEVERS PROGRAM

IS MY CHILD GIFTED?

Determining if your child is gifted can sometimes be stressful. First off, depending on who you ask, the term ‘gifted’ has many meanings and definitions. There are however some basic indicators that may help you determine if your child is gifted. Signs of advanced abilities, curiosity, and problem-solving skills beyond their age group are usually considered reliably good indicators. Here is a quick checklist:

Cognitive and Learning Abilities:

Extreme Need for Constant Mental Stimulation

  • Advanced Vocabulary & Early Reading – Uses complex sentences to read early.
  • Exceptional Memory – Remembers details, facts, and concepts easily.
  • Rapid Learning – Grasps new concepts quickly and asks deep, insightful questions.
  • Need to depth – a need to explore subjects in surprising depth.
  • Insatiable Curiosity – Constantly asks “why” and wants to explore topics in depth.
  • Logical Thinking – Solves problems in unique or advanced ways.

Creativity & Imagination:

Uniquely Creative, Ahead of Peers

  • Inventive & Original Thinking – Comes up with creative solutions
    or ideas.
  • Strong Imaginative Play – Engages in elaborate storytelling
    or make-believe.

Emotional & Social Traits:

Extremely Sensitive

  • Highly Sensitive or Intense Emotions – Deep empathy and strong
    reactions to situations.
  • Prefers Older Peers or Adults – Finds it easier to communicate with those more mature.
  • Perfectionism– Holds high standards for themselves and
    may struggle with mistakes.
  • Humour-quirky or mature sense of humour.

Academic & Motor Skills

Extremely Specialized Skills

  • Excels in a Specific Area– Shows advanced ability in math,
    music, art, or science.
  • Early Motor Development – May walk, talk, or nerform fine motor skills ahead of pee
Keeping Students Engaged

TESTING OPTIONS

If your child shows some of the characteristics listed above, the next step is to explore further-keeping in mind that
every child is different, and gifted children may not exhibit all traits. To better understand your child’s needs, you may
consider formal testing or a comprehensive assessment. Since there are no provincial or federal mandates requiring
gifted education, it’s essential to first review the identification policies and procedures specific to your local school
district before pursuing any evaluation

  • Observe Patterns – Take note of consistent behaviours.
  • Talk to Teachers – Get feedback on their learning style and interactions.
  • Consider Testing – A professional IQ test or gifted assessment can provide insight.
  • Challenge & Support Them – Provide opportunities for deeper learning and creativity.

Psychologists can administer tests like:

WISC-V
(Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children)
– Ages 6-16
Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales –
Ages 2+
WPPSI-IV
(Wechsler Preschool & Primary Scale of
Intelligence) – Ages 2.5-7
Canadian Psychological Association also
provides information about assessments
and treatment for giftedness

ACHIEVERS PROGRAM

The highly adaptive & personalized ACHIEVERS program at THINNOX can help gifted students thrive by addressing their unique learning
needs, intellectual curiosity, and emotional development

Here’s how:

1. Acceleration & Advanced Learning Opportunities
  • Self-Paced Learning – Allows gifted students to move at their own speed, preventing boredom.
  • Early College & Dual Enrollment – Enables students to take college courses while in high school.
  • Advanced Placement (AP)– Provides challenging coursework.
  • Subject Acceleration – Allows students to take higher-level courses in subjects where they excel.
2. Deep, Personalized Exploration
  • Interest-Based Learning – Students dive deep into topics they love.
  • Mentorship & Internships – Provides access to experts and real-world applications.
  • Project-Based & Inquiry Learning – Encourages creativity, problem-solving, & critical thinking.
3. Flexibility & Emotional Support
  • Customized Schedules – Flexible pacing helps prevent stress or burnout.
  • Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) – Helps with perfectionism and social struggles.
  • Like-Minded Peer Groups – Ensures students have intellectual and emotional peerS.
4. Access to Enrichment & Extracurriculars
  • STEM, Arts, & Humanities Programs – Expands beyond traditional subjects.
  • Competitions & Clubs – Math Olympiads, Science Fairs, Debate, Robotics, and more.
  • Global Learning opportunities – Online courses, study abroad, or international programs.
5. College & Career Readiness
  • Personalized College Counselling – Helps gifted students find the right fit for their ambitions.
  • Portfolio Development – Prepares students for selective college admissions and scholarships.
  • Entrepreneurship & Leadership Programs – Encourages real-world impact.
REQUEST INFO