K-1 Gifted Program

Avondale recognizes giftedness as advanced intellectual, academic, creative, or social-emotional development that differs significantly from typical age-peers. Gifted learners may demonstrate asynchronous development, meaning their cognitive abilities may outpace their physical, emotional, or social development.

Our district is committed to supporting gifted learners across all buildings, and we continue to advocate for increased state-level recognition and support through partnerships with the Michigan Association for Gifted Children (MAGC).

The program is designed to meet the academic and social-emotional needs of gifted learners before 2nd grade. Early identification is important because when gifted students are not challenged or supported, they may develop frustration, behavior concerns, or lose interest in school. This program provides an environment that aligns with how gifted young children learn and grow, helping them build healthy learning habits and confidence from the start.

Students are considered through a multi-measure rubric that includes:

• Parent/family inventories

• Teacher input

• Primary CogAT assessment (non-verbal version for Kindergarten applicants; full CogAT for 1st graders)

Note: Families may submit additional artifacts or assessments, but these are not required.

• Gifted Program Information Nights: December 9, 2025 & January 28, 2026 at GATE Magnet School

• Tentative Application Window: January 30-February 28, 2026 (during GATE School of Choice window)

• Assessment: Scheduled in March

• Placement Notifications: Mid-April

• Letter of Intent Due: End of April

Yes. The program is open to in-district and out-of-district families (including contiguous counties), pending School of Choice availability.

Yes. Parent/family inventories are a central part of the identification process and allow families to describe their child’s strengths, learning preferences, and needs.

Yes. Students are welcome to reapply each year during the School of Choice window. Even if a student is not accepted into the K–1 program, Avondale School District as a whole recognizes and supports gifted learners at every school. Our teachers receive ongoing professional development in gifted education, and districtwide practices ensure that staff are equipped to differentiate instruction and meet the needs of advanced learners in all classrooms. Gifted students have opportunities to thrive throughout the district, regardless of program placement.

The program is staffed by highly qualified teachers with training in gifted education and early childhood development. 

Teachers receive:

• Ongoing professional development through state and national gifted organizations

• Training in differentiation and social-emotional support

• Job-embedded coaching from Avondale’s Gifted & Talented Instructional Coach, Michelle Gierman, who also serves in leadership roles with the Michigan Association for Gifted Children (MAGC).

The K–1 Gifted Program will be located at Woodland Elementary in Troy, MI.
Transportation is provided for families who reside within Avondale School District boundaries.

While all Avondale classrooms use universally designed instruction, this program is intentionally designed for gifted learners. Students experience:

• Learning paced to match their cognitive readiness

• Opportunities for creative and advanced thinking

• Support for social-emotional development, including navigating intensity and perfectionism

• Instruction responsive to asynchronous development

Class sizes will be similar to typical K–1 classrooms. Avondale prioritizes maintaining low class sizes districtwide and may provide additional instructional support based on enrollment.

Not automatically. Students will continue to be monitored for best-fit placement. All 1st graders take the CogAT prior to 2nd grade to ensure the instructional environment continues to meet their needs.

Families and staff will meet to develop a support or transition plan as needed. Gifted learners are supported in all Avondale schools through strong Tier 1 differentiation and ongoing teacher training.

The program is intentionally designed for gifted learners, including those with IEPs, 504s, or additional learning needs. Instruction is tailored to support both their strengths and their learning differences.

No. Avondale welcomes learners from all language backgrounds. Students needing language support will also receive services from our state-recognized English Language Development team.

Kindergarten screening uses a non-verbal CogAT, ensuring accessible evaluation.

Yes. Families can learn more about the program at the District Gifted Program Information Nights, with sessions scheduled for December 9, 2025, and January 28, 2026. Families are also encouraged to attend Kindergarten Signing Day in March to visit Woodland Elementary and explore the program in person.

Families from outside of the district with multiple students are welcomed and encouraged to apply, but placement is not automatic. Families should submit an application for each child during the district’s regular School of Choice window, and students must be accepted based on the standard process. The district offers School of Choice at all buildings, so families have the opportunity to enroll siblings in Avondale School District if space and eligibility allow.

Avondale provides a variety of support and opportunities for families to connect and learn. Families can participate in community-building events at schools, engage with their PTO, and join parent book clubs focused on gifted education. Additionally, the district partners with experts like licensed counselor, Mark Talaga, who offers resources, podcasts, and guidance for gifted families through Hopelessly Gifted (https://www.hopelesslygifted.com). These opportunities help families share experiences, gain insights, and advocate effectively for their children.

1. Applications will be accepted for a limited number of non-resident Schools of Choice students for enrollment in the Avondale School District's K-1 program for the 2026-2027 school year. The availability is determined by the Avondale School District. District residents do not have a limit.
   
   
2. The Avondale School District application period for Gifted Programs is January 30th-February 28th, 2026. If the number of accepted applications received exceeds the number of spaces available, a lottery will be held as specified by state law. All applicants will be notified of their enrollment status by April 17, 2026 via phone or email.
   
   
3. If your name is not drawn in the lottery, we will maintain your name on a waiting list and notify you before the end of the first week of school in September if a seat becomes available.
   
   
4. All applications will be screened for accurate information. This may involve contacting your child’s former school district. Please note that all Schools of Choice enrollments are contingent upon receipt and review of the applicant’s prior discipline records.
   
   
5. Avondale Schools reserves the right to deny access to a student who receives special services and resides outside of the Oakland Intermediate School District if mutual agreement cannot be reached with the student’s home district/ISD related to responsibility for added costs.
   
   
6. A Letter of Intent must be completed and received by Avondale Schools on or before April 17, 2026.
   
   
7. Once enrolled through Schools of Choice, students may remain in Avondale School District until graduation if the student complies with all guidelines for Schools of Choice.
   
   
8. Siblings of Schools of Choice students will be given preference for enrollment into Avondale’s general education program as long as they reside in Oakland County.
   
   
9. For the 2026-2027 school year, Avondale School District will accept applications from non-Oakland County residents only for those students applying for our Gifted and Talented Programs at Woodland and GATE Magnet School. Please note, however that siblings of students in this program, who do not reside in Oakland County are unable to enroll in Avondale School District.
   
   
10. Attendance: Schools of Choice students are expected to arrive and depart from school on time. Students who are excessively absent or tardy are subject to the same rules and procedures as resident students. To ensure the safety of all of our students, it is expected that parents will pick students up on time at the end of the school day as well as when they are attending an after school or evening event.
    
    
11. Code of Conduct: All Student Code of Conduct rules, procedures, and policies apply to all students who enter Avondale School District under the Schools of Choice guidelines and procedures.
    
    
12. Transportation: Transportation is the responsibility of the parents if the student resides outside of the district boundaries.