The Highly Gifted Program in the Denver Public Schools will expand to Carson Elementary School, 5420 E. First Avenue, in the 2003-2004 school year for students in grades one through four. High achieving students will also be able to attend the new program on a space available basis. The program will also expand to include high achieving students at Gust Elementary School, 3440 W. Yale Avenue, a current site of the Highly Gifted Program for grades one through five.

The Highly Gifted Program is a magnet program designed for students with extreme academic needs. The programs at both Gust and Carson will provide full-day experiences in designated classrooms with teachers trained to meet the needs of this student population.

Interested families may attend an information evening at Gust to meet teachers and current parents on Tuesday, Feb. 4 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. or visit the school for a school tour all day on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2003. Pre-qualified high achieving students from Gust feeder schools are being invited to participate in the expanded program on a space available basis. Gust feeder schools are Barnum, Castro, College View, Doull, Force, Godsman, Goldrick, Grant Ranch, Gust, Johnson, Kaiser, Knapp, Munroe, Newlon, Sabin, Schenck, Schmitt, Traylor and Valverde elementary schools. Call Gust Elementary School at 303-935-4613 for more information.

The application deadline for the 2003-2004 school year at the new Carson Highly Gifted Program is Friday, Feb. 7, 2003. Interested families may attend an information evening at Carson on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 6:30 p.m. or a school tour on Thursday mornings through Feb. 27th. Current Carson students and students who live in the attendance areas of Carson feeder schools may apply to qualify as highly gifted or high achieving students. Carson feeder schools are Bromwell, Carson, Del Pueblo, Fallis, Fairmont, Greenlee, Lincoln, Lowry, Steck, Steele and Whiteman elementary schools. Pre-qualified high achieving students from these feeder schools are being invited to participate in the Carson program on a space available basis.

Call Carson Elementary at 303-355-7316 for more information.

In 2003-2004 the Highly Gifted Program will be housed in Carson, Cory, Crofton, Gust, Edison, McGlone and Southmoor elementary schools and Morey Middle School. Transportation is provided to students from specific feeder schools to each site of the program and district wide to Morey Middle School.

The Highly Gifted Program application process is separate from DPS School of Choice and students may apply to both. The Highly Gifted Program application deadline is past for the next school year except for students interested in attending the newly expanded programs at Gust or Carson.

For more information about the Highly Gifted Program or the application and qualification process, please contact the DPS Gifted and Talented Education Department, 303-405-8272.