High School

Deer Valley Gifted Services offers designated programming for high school learners who are gifted and talented.  This means ALL Deer Valley students enjoy rigorous course options designed to build upon their unique learner strengths.  Honors, Advanced Placement, Career and Technical Education, and Dual Enrollment courses are available at ALL DVUSD high schools.  In addition, ALL high schools in Deer Valley offer unique H.S. Gifted Programming that is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of gifted learners. These programs are modified and adapted each year based on student and faculty input.

Gifted Academy - Sandra Day O' Connor High School

The Gifted Academy at Sandra Day O' Connor H.S. consists of highly qualified, gifted endorsed teachers.  Sandra Day O’ Connor High School’s Gifted Academy begins in grade 9.  Freshman students are placed in Honors Gifted Biology and Honors Gifted ELA 1-2 or Honors Gifted ELA 3-4.  These courses consist only of gifted students and utilize gifted strategies such as project and problem-based learning to enhance critical thinking.  Students are able to choose their remaining courses, allowing students to pursue areas of interest.

Gifted Academy - Mountain Ridge High School

The Gifted Academy at Mountain Ridge H.S. consists of highly qualified, gifted endorsed teachers.  The Gifted Academy at Mountain Ridge High School offers students academically rich coursework, partnered with affective supports.  Students choose which classes they would like to take, which include a wide variety of Gifted Honors course offerings and Advanced Placement.  In addition, several elective courses are offered for gifted learners, including their NEW Change the World Senior Capstone. 

Boulder Creek H.S. Gifted & Talented Program

The Boulder Creek Gifted and Talented Program fosters an educational environment designed to cater to students who have advanced cognitive abilities, or unique talents. Classes emphasize critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving, with opportunities for independent study and self-directed learning. Instructional strategies are tailored to meet the unique needs of gifted students, fostering their potential and helping them navigate their learning journey.  Student choice and agency are highly encouraged for students to recognize their learning preferences and take ownership of their education.

International Baccalaureate MYP Honors/ Gifted Cohort - Barry Goldwater High School

The   Middle Years Programme (MYP) is a five-year International Baccalaureate Programme, split between two Deer Valley Schools (Norterra Canyon School and Barry Goldwater High School). The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme is a highly acclaimed and internationally recognized educational framework which encourages students to become globally aware problem solvers who are critical and creative thinkers. 

The IB Honors and Gifted Cohort is a school within a school model.  Students in grades 9 and 10 are grouped together in Honors ELA, History, and Science courses.  The school Gifted Specialist and IB MYP Coordinator meet one-on-one with students to ensure unique academic needs are met.  Several additional electives are offered to support student  interests, including: Honors Gifted Seminar and Theory of Knowledge courses.

Skyhawk Gifted Program - Deer Valley High School

Deer Valley High School’s Skyhawk Gifted Program combines a robust Gifted Cluster Model with designated courses for gifted learners.  Deer Valley’s Gifted Counselor works with students to provide an individualized pathway based on students’ needs and interests. Students are grouped together in Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), and elective courses (*as appropriate).  These courses may include Deer Valley High School’s new AP Capstone Diploma and AP Seminar and Research Certificate.

ASPIRE Deer Valley's Online Academy

ASPIRE provides synchronous (live) instruction for students in grades K-8 and asynchronous (independent) instruction for students in grades 9-12. ASPIRE affords students a guaranteed, viable curriculum. Gifted and specialized instruction is available for qualifying students in addition to remediation learning supports for all students as needed. Seniors graduate with a Deer Valley Unified School District diploma.