Gifted Education

The Waterloo Community School District provides gifted and talented education for students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Students are recommended for services through a series of identification procedures specific to the grade and program (Iowa Code 281-59.4). Each building within the district has certified staff who are trained in gifted and talented education to support both academic and emotional intelligence.

The continuum of services includes the Expanded Learning Program for academically discrepant students, Talent Development for students who identify a strength in one or more areas, and Twice Exceptional for students who are gifted in some areas while also having a disability. 

In addition to varied services, the Waterloo Schools provides subject/grade acceleration for students who meet the IAS (Iowa Acceleration Scale) criteria. High school students are given open access to multiple advanced programming options at the college level to meet the needs of gifted and talented populations. Advanced programming includes concurrent, Advanced Placement (AP), PSEO (Post-Secondary Enrollment Options), and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programming (IBDP) for students in grades nine through twelve.

If you would like more information about gifted education or advanced programming in the Waterloo Schools, contact Sherice Ortman at ortmansh@waterlooschools.org.