Academically Talented and Gifted (ATG) Program

Community Consolidated School District 15 is committed to supporting the academic and personal growth of all students. For those demonstrating advanced academic and intellectual abilities, this support may include subject or grade acceleration within the student’s school or placement in a self-contained gifted program classroom. The Academically Talented and Gifted (ATG) program is designed for students whose needs go beyond what can be met through subject or grade acceleration alone.

The selection process for ATG begins each fall with the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) tests in Reading and Math.

• Automatic Eligibility for CogAT: Students who score at or above the 95th national percentile in both Reading and Math automatically qualify to take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) in February.
• Parent Referral Eligibility: Students who score at or above the 95th percentile in one subject and at or above the 90th percentile in the other may be referred by a parent to take the CogAT.
• Ineligible Students: Students who do not meet these thresholds are not eligible for CogAT testing.

Retests

• MAP retest requests must be made before the end of the testing window.
• CogAT retest requests must be made within one week of the test date.
• Retests are granted only if the school determines that a significant disruption affected the testing process.
• Students present on the test date are considered healthy and prepared for testing.

Private and Homeschooled Students

Parents of District 15 residents whose children attend private schools or are homeschooled may refer their second- or third-grade student for testing. Referrals are accepted until November 1.

The online Gifted Program application can be accessed here

The ATG program is housed at Stuart R. Paddock School. Classrooms are organized by grade, but flexible grouping allows students to receive instruction from multiple teachers to better meet their needs.

The program continues through fifth grade. Students then transition to their home middle schools, which offer advanced courses in math, English, language arts, and other subjects. Enrollment in these middle school courses is not limited to ATG participants, and participation in ATG does not guarantee placement.

August – September

• All second- and third-grade students take MAP tests at their home schools.
• Retest requests must be made during the testing window and are granted only when a significant disruption occurs.

October

• MAP results and CogAT eligibility are shared with parents.
• Parents of students eligible for CogAT by referral must submit the electronic referral form by November 1.
• Parents of District 15 residents not enrolled in District 15 schools must complete the online application by November 1.

February

• Students take the CogAT at their home schools.
• Each student completes two subtests: Verbal and Quantitative.
• Students not yet proficient in English take the Nonverbal subtest in place of the Verbal subtest.
• Retest requests must be submitted within one week of testing and are granted only when a significant disruption occurs.

End of April

• Parents are notified of ATG program eligibility.
• Families of eligible students are invited to a virtual new student/parent night, which includes meeting ATG teachers, learning about the program, and asking questions.