The Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) system is committed to an educational program that recognizes individual student needs and its responsibility to develop each student’s full potential to be a lifelong learner and a productive global citizen. MCPS believes that all students should be provided a variety of educational experiences to ensure academic challenge, healthy development, and the integration of the highest ideals and values of a democratic society.

We believe gifted students are those whose aptitudes and potential for accomplishment are so outstanding that they require specialized curriculum, courses, services, and opportunities to meet their educational needs. Using multiple criteria, MCPS identifies K-12 gifted learners in specific academic areas. Additionally, students in grades K-4 showing gifted potential can be placed in a talent pool for later review for formal gifted identification. Academically gifted and talented students will be identified from all populations, including those students that are economically disadvantaged, have limited English proficiency, or have a disability.

The gifted staff of Montgomery County Public Schools is committed to a rigorous and innovative instructional program for gifted and talented learners, provided along a continuum, which fosters the highest level of excellence and recognizes the right of each student to receive intellectual challenge appropriate for his/her capabilities. Utilizing a cluster/resource model, the gifted staff works within the MCPS model of inclusion by collaborating with classroom teachers, guidance counselors, and administrators to employ appropriate differentiation in curriculum and instruction to stimulate high-ability students toward realizing their full potential.