Gifted & Talented

The Mission of the CMS Gifted Program, a unique mixture of diverse students, staff, parents and community members, is to prepare each GT student for an ethical and productive life through a challenging and engaging program which develops critical, flexible, creative thinking, and cultivates risk taking and curiosity, let by a knowledgeable group of educators, parents, and community partners devoted to developing the potential of each learner.

Each student will set and achieve appropriate, challenging education/career goals tailored to individual interests, talents and abilities; benefit from interaction with trained enthusiastic, qualified GT facilitators; expand, develop and share unique talents; and develop and utilize independent thinking and problem solving abilities as well as creative thinking skills in a variety of settings through relevant curricular opportunities.

The following services are available; ELP-GT as an Elective Class, pull-out, regular classroom curriculum compacting, acceleration opportunities, and independent project including mentoring programs.  The GT Program continues to expand its offerings each year through annual meetings with parents, administrators, and teachers to ensure student is being met with their gifts and talents.

Currently, there are 11 full time GT teachers and 1 GT Liaison:

  • Elementary- 3,

  • Middle School-4,

  • CHFA- 1,

  • CHS-3 full time teachers.

Students are referred and screened at their schools and then formally evaluated by CMS diagnosticians for the Gifted and Talented Program.  According to current New Mexico standards, there are 2 general methods by which a student can qualify for gifted services. 

The first is through traditional testing in 4 areas: cognitive ability (IQ 130 or above), achievement, critical thinking, and creativity.  A student must qualify in cognitive ability and at least one other area.  The second method is by alternate protocol.  This method involves the use of a rubric evaluation scoring system.  Areas considered are I Behavioral Characteristics, II Creativity, III Critical Thinking, IV Academic Achievement, V Intellectual Ability. (Note: Student must receive a minimum of 8 points with all five areas being considered and at least one point coming from area V).
--NMAC:  Alternative Protocol for Gifted. 6.31.2.12 NMAC subsection E (1)
An alternative method of gifted placement is done when a student’s ability may be affected by factors including cultural background, linguistic background, socioeconomic status or disability condition(s).  The impact of these factors shall be documented by the person(s) administering the alternative protocol.

At this time, we have 369 students listed in the GT Program.