Gifted & Talented Program

"Genius without education is like silver in the mine."
- Benjamin Franklin

The mission of the Tolleson Union High School District is to guarantee higher levels of learning for all students. For gifted students, the regular classroom environment does not always provide the challenge necessary for them to reach these higher levels of learning. Gifted students have unique learning characteristics. They process information differently from other students, are exceptionally inquisitive, and are able to grasp complex concepts quickly – even intuitively. Consequently, gifted students need additional challenges and different learning experience from what is typically offered in the regular high school setting. The Gifted and Talented Program seeks to ensure that gifted students in our district are provided an education appropriate to their needs and ability, an education that nurtures their potential.

According to the Arizona Revised Statutes, a "gifted pupil" is "a child of lawful school age, who due to superior intellect or advanced learning ability, or both, is not afforded an opportunity for otherwise attainable progress and development in regular classroom instruction and who needs gifted education services to achieve at levels commensurate with the child’s intellect and ability." Arizona schools are required to provide gifted programs and services to identified gifted pupils that are "an integrated, differentiated learning experience during the regular school day." For more detailed information on Arizona statutes governing gifted education, visit the Arizona Department of Education website.