Greeley West High School students with exceptional academic skills are getting the support and challenge they need through the school’s Gifted & Talented (GT) program, part of a district-wide initiative designed to meet the difficult needs of advanced learners.
The GT program, identifies students who show high potential or performance in academic, creative, or leadership areas. To bring all of these students together, Greeley West createed a GT Student Board.
GT sponsor Tiffany Beacher said, “The GT Student Board as a whole has a goal of creating a community for those students identified as gifted and talented to provide each other with resources, support, encouragement, and just being that community of like minded individuals within the school.”
As of now the GT program at Greeley West has 183 students that are being served. Most students are involved in AP courses, the IB program, and Dual enrollment classes. These are all great options for gifted and talented students as it pushes them to be great global, and critical thinkers. This also helps GT students earn college credits, finishing the IB program and getting your IB Diploma.
Sophomore Asher Porter is a student in the GT program. Porter was identified in second grade and is taking four advanced placement courses right now. Asher said, “It’s definitely offered a lot of opportunities for me to, like, excel in the areas that I’m good at. Like math, I’m three years ahead in math due to the opportunities and advances that GT creates for students and progress to where I need to be.”
Asher said that the GT Board is a great way for students to give their input on things they might find confusing and it helps students get involved. They are now planning different kinds of service and community projects to help GT students receive high volunteering hours.
