Identification & Placement
GIFTED IDENTIFICATION & PLACEMENT
The state of Arizona mandates that school districts identify students as Gifted when they score at the 97th percentile or above in any one of the three approved areas (Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal) on a state-approved gifted assessment. Students who score below the 97th percentile also may be served (ARS 15-779). Deer Valley achieves compliance by utilizing Age-Level Norms to identify and provide services for gifted students. ALL Deer Valley schools provide gifted services.
Below is a description of our Specialized Gifted Programs that are available to students who qualify. For more detailed information on what is offered at a particular school, please see the school's website.
SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS
Renaissance Highly Gifted Academies
Renaissance Highly Gifted Academies provide rigorous learning experiences that address the individual needs of gifted students. Renaissance students in grades 1-8 acquire a solid foundation in the content areas of mathematics, language and communication arts, social studies, science, and technology literacy. Students work 1-2 years above grade level within core content areas.
DVUSD accepts applications for placement in one of the Renaissance Highly Gifted Academies for students meeting specific criteria for intellectual and academic capabilities (Canyon Springs STEM Academy, Highland Lakes Music and Arts Academy, Las Brisas Global Studies Academy and Hillcrest M.S. Global Studies Academy).
Standard Application. All 3 scores (Verbal, Quantitative, Non-Verbal) are at the 90th percentile or higher with a total of 280 percentile points or greater combined. ~OR~ a qualifying I.Q. Score of 132 or higher. Additional criteria include documented achievement above grade level and gifted characteristic profiles completed by parents and teachers.
Provisional Application. Gifted Services may open up "Provisional Applications" for classrooms where space is available. These are to allow us to place students who come very close to meeting the standard application gifted score requirements but just missed the cut-off. All 3 scores (Verbal, Quantitative, Non-Verbal) equal a total of 280 percentile points or greater combined. ~OR~ a qualifying I.Q. Score of 130 or higher. Additional criteria include documented achievement above grade level and gifted characteristic profiles completed by parents and teachers.
Bright Beginnings
The primary age experience within the Bright Beginnings classroom is enriched to ensure growth and development. Primary age students in grades K-2 explore academic content above grade level. Students benefit from a thematic approach to learning, fostering depth and complexity across each of the core content areas.
DVUSD accepts applications for placement in one of the Renaissance Highly Gifted Academies for students meeting specific criteria for intellectual and academic capabilities (Canyon Springs STEM Academy, Highland Lakes Music and Arts Academy, Las Brisas Global Studies Academy). Students are eligible for placement in a Bright Beginnings program when they score at the 90th percentile in one of the three state-approved areas (Verbal, Quantitative, Non-Verbal).
Gifted Pre-K Academy
DVUSD’s Gifted Pre-K Academy includes talent development for 4-year-old students identified at the 88th percentile that will be ready for kindergarten the following year. The unique tuition-based program is open to gifted and talented students throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan area. The program is offered at Las Brisas Elementary. For the 2025-26 school year, children must be potty-trained and age 4 by August 31, 2025 to enroll in the Gifted Pre-K Academy at Las Brisas.
Additional information regarding Deer Valley’s process for gifted identification, assessment, and program placement may be located directly on our website at: www.dvusd.org/gifted
