Regional Gifted Centers
There are nine Regional Gifted Centers, designed to provide appropriate services for children identified as gifted. Admission testing is required. All students applying for grades K-4 will be tested. Testing eligibility for students applying for grades 5-8 will be based on the student’s 2006-07 ISAT national percentile rank in reading and math, or the 2006-2007 percentile rank in reading and math on a different nationally normed, standardized achievement test. In order to be eligible for testing, students applying for grades 5-8 must score at or above the 90th percentile in both reading and math. After the applications are processed, students will be contacted regarding testing date, time, and location.

Comprehensive and Specific Aptitude Gifted Programs Within Schools:  The Chicago Public Schools also offers comprehensive and specific aptitude gifted programs within selected magnet and magnet cluster schools throughout the city. Comprehensive programs serve grades 1-8 and cover all core subjects.  Specific aptitude programs are pullout programs in specific subjects and serve varying grades. For both types of programs, students are assessed by the school after they are enrolled as an attendance area student or through the computerized lottery process. For a list of schools that offer these programs, see the Listing of Schools by Category in the Options for Knowledge guide on page 10.

Regional Gifted Centers for English Language Learners
Three Regional Gifted Centers, housed in Greeley, Orozco, and Pulaski Schools, are specifically designed to meet the needs of high ability students who are English Language Learners. Admission testing is required. All students applying for grades K-4 will be tested. Testing eligibility for students applying for grades 5-8 will be based on the student’s 2006-2007 reading and math final grades. Students must have no lower than a B in reading and math in order to be eligible.  After the applications are processed, students will be contacted regarding testing date, time, and location. 

Classical Schools
Classical schools are designed to provide a challenging liberal arts course of instruction for students with high academic potential. The instructional program in these schools is accelerated and highly structured for strong academic achievement in literature, mathematics, language arts, world language, and the humanities. The classical schools begin with full-day kindergarten and continue through the sixth grade, with the exception of Skinner, which continues through the eighth grade.

Admissions testing is required. All students applying for grades K-4 will be tested. Testing eligibility for students applying for grades 5-8 will be based on the student’s 2006-2007 ISAT national percentile rank in reading and math, or the 2006-2007 percentile rank in reading and math on a different nationally normed, standardized achievement test. In order to be eligible for testing, students applying for grades 5-8 must score at or above the 80th percentile in both reading and math. After the applications are processed, students will be contacted regarding testing date, time, and location. 

Academic Centers
The Academic Centers offer a six-year program, beginning in grade 7, that allows academically advanced students the opportunity to move through course material at their own pace. Admission testing is required. Testing eligibility for students will be based on the student’s 2005-2006 ISAT national percentile rank in reading and math, or the 2006-2007 percentile rank in reading and math on a different nationally normed, standardized achievement test. In order to be eligible for testing, students must score at or above the 70th percentile in both reading and math. After the applications are processed, students will be contacted regarding testing date, time, and location.

International Baccalaureate Preparatory Program
The International Baccalaureate Preparatory (IB-Prep) Program is offered at Lincoln Elementary School and Ogden Elementary School for gifted 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. The program includes intensive study in English, French, social studies, laboratory science, mathematics, technology, arts, physical education, library science, and advanced research. Admissions testing is required. Testing eligibility for students will be based on the student’s 2006-2007 ISAT national percentile rank in reading and math, or the 2006-2007 percentile rank in reading and math on a different nationally normed, standardized achievement test. In order to be eligible for testing, students must score at or above the 90th percentile in one subject (reading or math), and at or above the 80th percentile in the other subject (reading or math). After the applications are processed, students will be contacted regarding testing date, time, and location.