Gifted & Talented

Universal Screening: In Adams 12 Five Star Schools, 2nd and 6th graders who are not already identified GT participate in the Universal Screening process for potential gifted and talented identification. Find more detailed information regarding Universal Screening in the Five Star District.

Important dates for the Universal Screening process at our school: Because identification at the high school level is so rare, we do not do universal screening here. Rather, identification of GT students is handled on a case-by-case basis. Please see the “recommendations” section of this document. 

Parent/Staff/Student GT Recommendation: All students can participate in the GT identification process by submitting a complete body of evidence. Find more detailed information regarding the GT recommendation process in the Five Star District.

If you are interested in having your child be considered for the GT identification process you need to contact your GT Coordinator for school-specific information.

Important dates for the GT Recommendation process at our school: None. We can do testing/identification at any time of the year. Testing done in the Spring may lead to identification being formalized the following school year. 

Advanced Curriculum & Extended Learning:  “The Vehicle”
Provides the depth and complexity needed to ensure meaningful academic growth
Our school offerings include:

• Advanced math courses are available to students/families who wanting that option. Math placements are made based upon individual student content background, scores and student/family preference. These include honors math, IB math and AP Calculus at THS and other math courses outside THS based upon student need. 
• 9th and 10th grade advanced courses 
  • College Prepatory English 9 annd English 10
  • College Prepatory Biology and Chemistry
  • College Prepatory Government and Economics
  • AP World History
  • Honors Math 
• 11th and 12th grade advanced options include
  • IB Full Diploma -  6 college level courses, Theory of Knowledge course, Extended Essay and Creativity Activity Service
  • IB Diploma individual courses - students can select to take IB Diploma courses individually and pair those with other options
  • Concurrent Enrollment courses
• FutureForward (Career and Technical Education courses) are available at THS and others are available at the Bollman or Washington Square campuses.

All IB Diploma or AP courses have end of sequence exams which, depending on the score, are honored at college/University for college credit. Scores needed and credit awarded are specific to individual institutions and can be found on the college/University websites. 

Differentiated Learning Pathways:  “The Roadmap”
Provides an education at the appropriate level of readiness and challenge
Our school offerings include:

Teachers provide opportunities for student choice within the classroom setting. Teachers work to provide depth and complexity of their content along with development of skills students need to be able to access that level of content. The depth and complexity broadens in the honors, IB and AP courses beyond what occurs in the grade level courses. 

Individualized Opportunities & Enrichment:  “The Customized Options”
Actively engages and motivates through interests and meaningful learning opportunities
Our school offerings include:

Thornton High School offers many clubs, activities and athletic opportunities for students to engage and challenge their individual passions and strengths. Even if a student has not tried an activity before, we encourage all students to get involved and try things! If there is not yet a club for a specific interest, students we welcome to ask an adult to be the advisor and start a new club!

Information about all activities/clubs and athletics can be found here.

Field trips, events and mini-grants are made available to students throughout the year. If a student has a specific idea or request they are encouraged to share that with the GT coordianator to develop new opportunities. 

Social-Emotional Learning:  “The Destination”
Focuses on developing the whole child by balancing empowerment and accountability
Our school offerings include:

• Relationships are a foundation at THS. Staff work to ensure each student has at least one trusted adult in the building.
• THS Counselors work with students throughout the year both in classroom settings and individually with students as needed. 
• Classroom teachers work to bring reflection and learning into classrooms to support students skills to tackle the struggles and to celebrate the successes of life. 
• GT Lunch Bunch meets on a regular basis to support GT students needs related to Social and Emotional Learning. Reflection with other GT students, sharing of strategies and discussion on specific topics occur with adult support. 
• Sources of Strength supports school wide events and activities throughout the year to bring attention to the positive things we have in our life, and how we need to remember those connections and rely on them when things get tough. Sources of Strength student leaders act as connectors, ensuring friends and classmates are connected with trusted adults when the need arises. 
• Through Community Reach we have 2 full time therapists on campus who serve the students of THS based on referrals. For more information contact your students THS counselor. 
• The Royal Health Clinic offers FREE services for THS students on campus also has a therapist. For more information contact your students THS counselor.