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Kent City Schools

Every child, every chance, every day.

Gifted & Talented Education

Gifted and Talented Education

The gifted specialists and the Office of Instructional Program are enthusiastic about working with the identified gifted students and their families in the Kent City Schools gifted program.

In the Kent City Schools Mission Statement “students” includes each gifted student who is to be provided with appropriate learning environments and opportunities, even when the gifted student’s skills, abilities, interests, knowledge, and thought processes are more complex than expectations of the standard curriculum or of their classmates.

If you suspect that your child may be gifted in one or more areas, we invite you to contact your child’s school principal to discuss more about the referral and identification process.

The goal of your team of trained gifted specialists and leadership is to work with teachers, parents, community members, administration, and staff to provide opportunities for these children to maximize their learning experiences in the Kent City Schools, and to provide resources to encourage these children in this journey!

Use these links or the tabs above to learn more about:

For information about State criteria for gifted identification and the process used by the Kent City Schools, visit “What is Gifted” and reference the “Identification and Service Plan” there and below.

Following service criteria set forth by the State, Kent City Schools provides formal/ reported services to students in grades 4-8 who are identified as gifted in one or more areas, according to criteria set by Ohio law.

  • In grades 4 and 5, students having Superior Cognitive Ability, Specific Academic Ability in Reading, Specific Academic Ability in Math, and/ or Creative Thinking Ability are served within the regular classes through collaboration between the classroom teacher and the gifted intervention specialist (GIS). Teachers receive High Quality training in the nature and needs and instruction of gifted students. They collaborate to differentiate instruction and assessment within the framework of the of the content classes. Students with superior cognitive ability meet regularly with the GIS, and specific enrichment opportunities are often available for students with other advanced learning needs.
  • In grades 6-8, students having Superior Cognitive Ability , Specific Academic Ability in Reading,  and/ or Creative Thinking Ability are served in the language arts class by a teacher who is receiving High Quality training in the nature and needs and instruction of gifted students. Advanced math courses are available for all eligible students.

Reported “services” must meet certain criteria established by state law and the Kent City Schools is proud to offer many opportunities for gifted and advanced students that may not qualify under the state definition of “service”.

Information about Acceleration is available through the school building offices.

View the full Kent City Schools –District Identification and Service Plan (updated August 2025)

BRIGHT CHILD. Gifted Learner

Kent City Schools –District Identification and Service Plan (updated July 2025)
Information for Families  about Kent's Gifted identification process and Services plan 

Kent City Schools – Acceleration Policy

NPR Article: “Who Are The Gifted?”

Great BLOGs:

On Twice Exceptional (2e) students – those identified as gifted and with a disability

Ohio Revised Code and Administrative Code

Learn more about KCSD Gifted Services and Enrichment Opportunities:
You are encouraged to visit the page KCS Gifted Services Grades 4-8 to learn more about the gifted service opportunities available to our students.  

If your child is receiving services or enrichment, you are strongly encouraged to connect with your child’s gifted specialist or building principal for specific information regarding weekly activities. For other questions regarding this program, please contact Coordinator Karen Rumley by email or at 330-676-7620.

Thank you for your support for our gifted students and their learning opportunities.

Karen Rumley, Coordinator of Gifted Services

What is GIFTED?

RESOURCES FOR EVERYONE!