Fulton County Schools
Fulton County Schools serves gifted students through its Talented and Gifted (TAG) Program, which is part of the Learning & Teaching Department.
Who gets tested for gifted services?
At the start of every school year, teachers review students’ previous test scores. Students who score in the top percentiles are flagged. This is known as “automatic screening.”
In addition, in January or February of each year, classroom teachers review all students, rating them on eleven different characteristics typical of gifted children, including memory, problem-solving, reasoning, insight, and humor. This is called “classroom screening.”
Once a student is identified by automatic screening or classroom screening, teachers review their academic record. If their academic history supports what was found in the screening, the student is then referred for testing.
Look on the TAG office webpage for more information on the screening and referral process.
How are students tested?
Gifted testing takes one to six days. Standardized tests are used to evaluate mental ability, creativity, achievement and motivation.
Students identified through automatic screening are tested during the fall semester. Those who are identified through classroom screening are tested in spring semester.
The TAG office webpage has more information about the testing process.
How are gifted students served?
The TAG webpage states:
Basic to the philosophy of this program is the idea that no one teacher, resource, or instructional method can meet the needs of gifted students. Education for the gifted is viewed as a cooperative endeavor characterized, facilitated, and realized by the efforts of numerous individuals in the schools and community.
These goals are accomplished in Fulton County schools by providing the basic curriculum to identified gifted students in the regular classroom, adjusting the rate and depth of their learning and using a variety of appropriate teaching methods. Further differentiation beyond that in the regular classroom is accomplished through seminars, individual projects, advanced placement courses, directed studies, internships and joint enrollment.
What’s the policy for acceleration?
Students who have mastered grade-level content may be moved ahead to an advanced or accelerated curriculum. The policy is presented in great detail in the system’s continuous achievement framework.
What other options might be good for gifted students?
International Baccalaureate schools
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme is a rigorous curriculum that emphasizes both academic and personal achievement.
Fulton’s IB schools are:
- Heards Ferry Elementary
- High Point Elementary
- Lake Forest Elementary
- Ridgeview Middle School
- Riverwood International Charter School
- Alpharetta High School
- Centennial High School
- Westlake High School
Magnet programs
The county offers magnet programs at several high schools. See the Magnet Program page for information about eligibility and how to apply.
- International Studies Program at Riverwood International Charter School
- Math & Science Academy at North Springs Charter High School
- Visual & Performing Arts Academy at North Springs Charter High School
- Visual and Performing Arts Magnet Program at Tri-Cities High School
- Math & Science Magnet Program at Westlake High School
This page was reviewed on August 28, 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.
Gifted Atlanta 
Hello, I was delighted to find this resource for gifted but neither the first number nor the fultongifted.com link are in service. We would like to connect with other gifted groups in our
area of fulton & would welcome any info
Or assistance! Thank you.
Thanks for letting me know, Tammy. I didn’t realize it had been so long since I’d checked the links on that page. I’ve updated all the information now. Sadly, it appears that the Fulton Supporters of the Gifted GAGC chapter has been disbanded. Not only did the link not work, but that chapter is no longer listed on the GAGC’s local chapters page.
May a child be identified gifted outside of the school by a school board approved psychologist?
If so, how do I obtain a list?
To my knowledge, public schools don’t accept evaluations from independent psychologists. Gifted identification must be done through the school’s testing, as administered by the school. From what I’ve heard, this wasn’t always the case, but when outside evaluations used to be accepted, people who could afford to see a private psychologist were able to essentially buy their kid gifted identification. If you want to double check, call the county’s gifted office (contact information listed on GiftedAtlanta.com site under Fulton County Schools).