CFSD Gifted Specialists Celebrate Arizona's Commitment to Exceptional Learners

Sandy Martinez (VV), Maura Baker (MZ), Dr. Mary Florek (SD), Samantha Thompson (CV)

During the recent Arizona Gifted & Talented Education Week, a group of Catalina Foothills School District elementary educators gathered to celebrate and to sharpen their expertise. CFSD's elementary gifted specialists attended the Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented (AAGT) conference, joining educators from across the state who are committed to ensuring gifted learners receive the specialized instruction they need to thrive.
"Gifted students don't just need more work—they need different work," explained Sandy Martinez, gifted specialist at Ventana Vista. "They think differently, learn differently, and without the right support, they can become disengaged or frustrated, even in excellent schools."
The proclamation and conference align perfectly with CFSD's longstanding commitment to gifted education. CFSD provides comprehensive gifted programming for students with specific academic needs that cannot be addressed within the general education program. At every grade level, gifted students regularly interact with both their intellectual peers and their age peers.

How CFSD Supports Gifted Learners
CFSD offers a range of programs and services tailored to meet the needs of identified gifted students, including:

• Acceleration for students ready to advance beyond grade-level curriculum
• Cluster classroom placement grouping gifted students together
• Pull-out programs providing specialized enrichment
• Flexible grouping within or between classrooms
• Differentiated curriculum and instruction meeting students where they are
• Honors and Advanced Placement classes at the secondary level

During Arizona Gifted & Talented Education Week, CFSD's gifted specialists brought back strategies, resources, and connections that will directly benefit students across our four elementary campuses. The conference focused on AAGT's strategic priorities: raising awareness about gifted education, ensuring access to appropriate programs, expanding family resources, and advocating for stronger state-level policies.
"This proclamation matters because it brings visibility to students who are sometimes overlooked," said Samantha "Tessa" Thompson, gifted specialist at Canyon View. "Gifted learners have unique needs, and when we meet those needs, we see students who are engaged, excited, and reaching their incredible potential."
Gifted Testing Opportunities
CFSD offers group testing for students at its school sites three times per year. Students are defined as gifted when they score at or above the 97th percentile on the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT), which measures learned reasoning and problem-solving skills in three areas: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal.
Upcoming elementary testing dates:

• May 4-5, 2026: Grade 5 retakes at Canyon View, Sunrise Drive, and Ventana Vista (7:15 am)
• April 29-30, 2026: Grade 5 retakes at Manzanita (7:15 am)

CFSD makes group testing available for students at their school sites throughout the year. Students are defined as gifted when they score at or above the 97th percentile on the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT), which measures learned reasoning and problem-solving skills in three areas: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal.
At the elementary level, testing schedules vary by grade. In August, 2nd-, 3rd-, 4th-, and 5th-graders are eligible to test, while kindergarten and 1st-grade testing begins in January. Unidentified students may test once per calendar year, and referrals may come from teachers, parents, or students themselves. Testing for middle and high school students is also available throughout the year.
If you are interested in gifted testing for your child, please contact the gifted specialist at your school site.
The recognition from Arizona's leadership reinforces what CFSD has long known: gifted education isn't an extra—it's essential. And our elementary gifted specialists are leading the way in making sure every exceptional learner in our district receives an education that truly meets their needs.

For more information about CFSD's gifted education programs or to refer a student for testing, contact the gifted specialist at your child's school or visit https://www.cfsd16.org/student-support-services.