Gifted Atlanta

DeKalb County School District provides services to gifted students through the Gifted and Talented program, which is part of the county’s Division of Curriculum and Instruction.

Who gets tested for gifted services?

Students will automatically be given an evaluation for gifted services if they score at or above the 90th percentile in math or reading on the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test that all students take several times each school year. This automatic referral takes place for all students in kindergarten through 10th grade.

Students also can be referred for gifted evaluation by teachers, administrators, counselors, parents / guardians, peers, the student themselves, or anyone else familiar with the child’s abilities.

How are students tested?

The evaluation looks at the student’s ability in four areas: achievement, mental ability, creativity, and motivation. They must excel in three of the four areas to qualify for gifted services.

Visit the Gifted and Talented office’s web site for more information about the identification process.

How are gifted students served?

At the elementary level, gifted services are offered primarily via a pull-out class called Discovery. The class typically meets for a few hours a week, led by a gifted-certified teacher, and consists of enrichment or extension of the general curriculum.

In middle schools and high schools, gifted students are served with advanced, AP, or gifted classes. Some middle schools and high schools may offer Impact, a pull-out gifted class which meets one period per school day.

See more information about the models used to deliver gifted services and the standards those models must meet.

What’s the policy for acceleration?

DeKalb County has formal acceleration guidelines to follow when considering whether students can move to a higher grade level for one or more subjects (subject-matter acceleration), or advance to a higher grade level altogether (grade acceleration). A formal policy used to be available online, but doesn’t seem to be available for viewing anymore. If you believe your child should be considered for subject or grade acceleration, speak to your school’s principal.

What other options might be good for gifted students?

Magnet programs for high achievers

Grades 4-6:
Kittredge Magnet School
Wadsworth Magnet School

Grades 7-8:
Chamblee Middle School
Chapel Hill Middle School

Grades 9-12:
Chamblee High School
Southwest DeKalb High School

These magnet programs are rigorous and demanding. Students can expect a challenging course load, including foreign language and learning a musical instrument, in addition to their usual studies.

Eligibility for the high achiever magnets is based on test scores and GPA. Students do not have to be identified as gifted to qualify for these magnet schools.

Demand for these schools is high, so each spring, the county holds a lottery to select which of the eligible applicants will be given a chance to enroll. Selection is random. Students are not ranked by their GPA or test scores and given spots in the school in order of their academic achievement. Rather, every qualified applicant is put into the lottery, and everyone has an equal chance of being selected for a seat. Those who don’t get offered a seat are placed on a waiting list. Students on the waiting list may be offered a spot later if a seat becomes available, either because a student chooses not to accept the seat they were offered, or a student already at the school leaves.

Once a child is in the high achievers magnet program, he can remain at the school as long as he is in good standing. Students don’t have to repeat the lottery once they’re enrolled. Kids who complete the high achievers program at Kittredge or Wadsworth are guaranteed a space at either Chamblee or Chapel Hill. Likewise, students who graduate from the magnet programs at Chamblee or Chapel Hill middle school can continue to Chamblee or Southwest DeKalb high school without having to go through another lottery.

To have your child considered for the high achievers program, you can apply as early as 3rd grade (applying to enroll in 4th grade). If your child isn’t selected for admission as a 4th grader, you can reapply each spring. Sometimes spaces open up for higher grades.

You can find more information about the high achievers magnet schools at the county’s school choice page.

Magnet schools of the arts

DeKalb Elementary School of the Arts (K-7)
DeKalb School of the Arts (8-12)

These magnet schools integrate art, music, dance and theater into teaching. Children applying for grades K-3 will be selected by a random lottery. Those applying for grades 4 or above will be asked to give an interview and audition, and to provide recommendations in both arts and academics. Some applicants to DeKalb School of the Arts may need to present a portfolio.

You can find more information about the schools for the arts in the county’s school choice page.

International Baccalaureate schools

DeKalb County has seven schools using the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, a well known, rigorous course of study.

The three IB high schools (Druid Hills, MLK Jr. and Tucker) offer the IB Diploma, which will earn sophomore status for incoming students at many colleges.

Druid Hills Middle School, Salem Middle School and Tucker Middle School offer the IB Middle Years Programme; the Primary Years Programme is used at Avondale, Fernbank and Midvale elementary schools.

Other magnet schools

• Evansdale Elementary School – STEM and French
• Columbia Middle School – math, science and technology
• Arabia Mountain High School – environment, energy and engineering
• Columbia High School – math, science and technology

To enroll at one of these schools from outside the regular attendance zone, a student must have a B average and must complete the school choice application process outlined on the school choice page.

Science classes at Fernbank Science Center

For students with a strong interest in science, DeKalb County offers free, hands-on classes for high-school students at Fernbank Science Center. All of these classes earn course credit.

• Advanced Studies. This program for students in grades 10-12 meets after-school — generally twice a week — and teaches classes in a variety of scientific topics, from ecology to physics.
• Scientific Tools and Techniques. This program for 9th graders is taken during the school day. Students get hands-on experience with the process of scientific inquiry.

A special note for Decatur residents

DeKalb County residents who live within the city limits of Decatur are served by the City Schools of Decatur. Gifted programs are operated by the Gifted Services office.

This page was reviewed on August 27, 2023. If you find errors in the links or the information presented, please submit a correction using the Contact page on this site. Thank you.