Program Models

Gifted Program Models

The district hires teachers for the program in partnership with the principal of the host school. Teachers of the gifted are either endorsed or are working toward their gifted endorsement. CATS teachers attend meetings each year to keep them abreast of best practices in the field of gifted education, and to collaborate with their peers.

Self-Contained 3-6 CATS

Chandler Academically Talented Students (CATS) is a self-contained gifted program option for students who are eligible to receive gifted services in third through sixth grade. Students in this program work at least one year beyond grade level with their intellectual peers. Classroom instruction expands and accelerates the core curriculum to accommodate the unique needs and interests of gifted students. Teachers deliver a rigorous interdisciplinary core curriculum encompassing Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics. Self-contained gifted students participate in special area classes with the other grade-level classes and are included in non-academic grade-level activities. The CATS program is housed at several district sites. Transportation may be provided, depending on your home attendance boundary.

Knox Gifted Academy (K-6) & Weinberg Gifted Academy (K-6)

Knox & Weinberg Gifted Academies are dedicated to gifted students and emphasize science, technology, engineering, art integration, and mathematics in a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach. Students in this gifted program work at least one year beyond grade level with their intellectual peers. This model offers a team teaching instructional model that focuses on problem-based learning through design thinking and an integrated curriculum, which differentiates this program from the CATS classes at other sites. Knox Gifted Academy and Weinberg Gifted Academy are schools of choice for students. District transportation is provided from depot school locations depending on your home attendance boundary.

Consultative Gifted Services (K-6)

Consultative Gifted Services offers an opportunity for identified gifted students to remain in their current classroom while support, resources, and an individualized learning plan is in place for differentiated instruction. The classroom teacher writes the individualized learning plan outlining the ways he/she plans to differentiate the current curriculum taught in the classroom, to meet the needs of the gifted student. Consultative gifted services are offered for students with unique learning needs that require individualized support or instruction, or for students who qualify for gifted services after the enrollment period for self-contained classes ends. Please contact the Gifted Specialist to request services.

Junior High CATS (7-8)

The Junior High CATS program is housed at several Junior High Schools. The program offers courses that provide enriching, rigorous curriculum that engages high ability students. The content standards in mathematics and in English Language Arts are accelerated and integrated and demand in-depth study. Instruction incorporates creative and critical thinking, problem solving, research, personal development, and communication. The goal of the CUSD Junior High CATS program is to provide challenge to the current curriculum while it prepares students for high school-level Honors and Advanced Placement courses.

Extended Program Models

Elementary (1-6)

Talent + Opportunity = Promise (TOP) ProgramThe TOP program is designed to provide advanced academics, leadership skills, and creative problem solving for students who show early potential. Students were selected for this honors preparatory program based on multiple measures including: recent Cognitive Abilities Testing, Teacher Rating Scales, and Unbiased Observer Reports.

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (7-8)

HIGH SCHOOL (9-12)

The International Baccalaureate Program
Chandler High School offers the IB Middle Years program for 9th and 10th grade students as well as the Diploma Program for 11th and 12th grade students. IB has a rigorous content curriculum, along with: Theory of Knowledge, an Extended Essay, and community action and service.

High School Honors Classes & Advanced Placement™
Honors and Advanced Placement™ (AP) classes are provided at each high school. Some dual enrollment college-level classes may also be an Honors option. A full menu of AP™ courses is available at each of the district’s high schools. A complete listing of AP™ courses at each school is listed in the course catalog. Honors and AP™ courses provide enriching, rigorous curriculum that engages high ability and high achieving students. Honors students must have the potential to accelerate through content standards and commit to in-depth study. Curriculum in Honors and AP courses is accelerated and complex.

Each Chandler high school offers information and counseling for gifted students and their parents about course offerings, extra curricular activities and opportunities for advancement.

Students self-select for advanced high school courses. Any CUSD high school student with the pre-requisites for the course, may enroll in an honors or Advanced Placement™ course.