The governing board and staff of Flagstaff Unified School District are committed to the encouragement of excellence and optimal talent development among gifted students.  To do so, FUSD is committed to providing an array of services to support the varying academic, social and emotional needs of these students. The diversity of individuals and cultures will be honored and integrated into curricular content.

Educational programs are designed to use differentiated instructional strategies which will include, but are not limited to, the use of acceleration, complexity, depth, tiered instruction, “hands-on” in-class learning, creativity, projects, and independent study.

Learning environments will incorporate activities to help students develop the following traits and skills:  independence, openness to new ideas, innovation, exploration, self-monitoring, creativity, planning and decision-making, and other executive thinking processes.

The state of Arizona’s definition:  “Gifted child” means a child who is of lawful school age, who, due to superior intellect, or advanced learning ability, or both, is not afforded an opportunity for otherwise attainable progress and development in regular classroom instruction and who needs special instruction, or special ancillary services, or both to achieve at levels commensurate with his/her intellect and ability.”

Federal Definition (Javits – 1988):  “The term gifted and talented student means children and youths who”:

1. Give evidence of higher performance capability in such areas as intellectual, creative, artistic, or leadership capacity, or in specific academic fields; and who
2. Require services or activities not ordinarily provided by the schools in order to develop such capabilities fully.