Early Access

The Early Access application period is now open for the 2024-2025 school year.
Applications must be received by noon on Friday, March 29, 2024.

Students under the age of six who meet the criteria for Colorado's definition of "highly gifted" are eligible for early admittance into school. Children identified as highly gifted comprise the top one to two percent of the gifted population. They exhibit exceptional ability or potential when compared to same-age children. The purpose of Early Access is to identify and serve the very few highly gifted children who demonstrate a need for comprehensive academic acceleration.

In accordance with Colorado House Bill 08-1021, Cherry Creek Schools has established a process for identifying "highly gifted" children under the age of six who demonstrate a need for Early Access into Kindergarten or 1st grade. The purpose of the Early Access process is to identify and meet the needs of highly gifted students who demonstrate a need for comprehensive academic acceleration. Please note that services and supports provided by typical early childhood experiences will meet the needs of the vast majority of students, including gifted learners.

Common traits and descriptors of young gifted children. 

In order to go through the Early Access process, students must currently reside within the Cherry Creek School District. Early Access is available for the student's neighborhood school. 

The Early Access Process

1. Application Screening: Review of application materials - Complete applications will be screened on an ongoing basis, and families will be notified of determination within 60 calendar days of receipt of a completed application packet.
2. Student Observation and completion of work samples. Observations will occur at the child's preschool setting unless the child does not attend a formal preschool setting. In this case, the observation will be held at the Student Achievement Resource Center.
3. Follow-up Communications: After the portfolio screening, all families will be contacted by letter. Students whose portfolios indicate traits of a "highly gifted" learner, thus demonstrating a strong potential need for Early Access, will continue to steps 4-6 (see below).
4. Assessment: Formal administration of one-to-one cognitive, academic achievement, and developmental testing.
5. Determination: The Early Access committee will review all of the information gathered about each student, and a decision will be made about whether or not the child's Body of Evidence meets the Early Access requirements.
6. Parents/Guardians will meet with the Early Access Assessment Team to discuss assessment data and final determination.

Appeals

An appeals process may be initiated by writing a formal letter of appeal addressed to the Director of Gifted & Talented Services and submitting it to the Office of Gifted & Talented Services. New information that might require a decision to be reviewed should be included with the written appeal letter. If the applicant is still not satisfied with the decision, a formal meeting may be scheduled with the Director of Gifted & Talented Services.

Please mail or deliver complete applications to the address below. Deliveries will be accepted between 8:00am-3:00pm on any regular business day.

Office of Gifted & Talented Services
Student Achievement Resource Center
14188 E. Briarwood Ave.
Centennial, CO  80112
Phone: 720-886-7050

Materials must be received no later than noon on Friday, March 29, 2024.

Complete applications must include all paperwork along with a check for $250 (made payable to Cherry Creek School District) to cover the cost of testing.*

Early Access Family Packet

Only complete applications will be screened. No late applications will be accepted.

*This fee is not applicable to families who qualify for free or reduced meals. If you are unsure whether or not you qualify, you may contact the district Food & Nutrition Services office at 720-886-7175. If your child does not participate in steps 4-6, your application fee will be returned.