Welcome to GT at Freedom

Offering a full day, self-contained Gifted Magnet Program for grades 3 through 5. Core academic subjects are taught by an experienced gifted educator all day, every day. We are a school of choice for students who are academically capable and demonstrate a love of learning. Teachers, with training in gifted education, intentionally vary the curriculum by differentiating instruction in terms of materials cover, pacing, complexity of thought, multiple perspectives, ethical issues, moral dilemmas, critical thinking, and leadership/working styles.

Providing instruction that is highly rigorous, exceeds state content standards, requires depth and complexity of thought, which includes differentiated instruction and opportunities for content acceleration. Students have unique opportunities for experiential learning through activities such as field trips, team building, and guest speakers.

We begin the year with a family game night to help families build connections. Students learn within a gifted and talented peer group. Each quarter there are opportunities for cross grade level learning in WIN groups. At the end of each quarter we have a Parent Showcase where students present their projects and learning. We connect with our Colorado Springs community through our "Yes We Can" service learning project where students select local charities and create fundraising plans to help support local charities.

Providing social and emotional support to understand their unique talents and challenges as a gifted learner. We help students create individualized learning goals for their Advanced Learning Plans. One of our cross-grade level units is about understanding themselves as gifted learners with special focus on how to handle perfectionism, how to build perseverance and grit, as well as how to embrace a growth mindset.

Gifted (Tier 3) Programming Formal Gifted Identification: High-ability learners with assessment evidence including scores at or above the 95th percentile on standardized nationally normed tests, observation tools, or ratings on a performance assessment that indicates exceptionality as compared to age mates. Colorado recognizes Tier 3 Gifted Identification as portable and follows the student if they move to another school within the state.

Talent Development (Tier 2) Programming: In District 11, under local control, learners with assessment data between the 85th and 94th percentile or other evidence indicating gifted potential may participate in Talent Development (Tier 2) Enrichment programming. These students demonstrate promising academic talents and benefit from enrichment to maximize their intellectual growth. These students do not yet meet the formal criteria for gifted identification. While Talent Development programming varies by school, and this designation may not transfer between districts, these students may participate in enrichment opportunities based on current assessment scores and are closely monitored for future gifted identification.

Gifted (Tier 3) students write Advanced Learning Plans within the first 30 days of school and we ask parents/guardians to sign the plans by Fall Conferences. We want family input into student academic and affective goals.

Academic Achievement Goals: Academic goals are standards-based statements, written in SMART goal format, typically in students' strength area(s).

Affective Goals: Affective goals reflect development of personal, social, communication, leadership, and/or cultural competency.