How do I Apply for Gifted?

Gifted Eligibility Test Information

The Winter Registration (Feb/Mar 2025) is open for registration and will close on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
All students are administered the CogAT Form 8, based on their current grade level.

Registration for kindergartners will open after the results of the Universal Screening for RPS Kindergarteners are sent to families in early February 2025. See Kindergarten Testing Flow Chart regarding Universal Screening and CogAT testing.

No gifted eligibility testing will take place outside of the posted schedule. Seats are offered to eligible students after each round of testing. A student can test only once an academic year. If you have any questions about testing registration, please contact Email Gifted Academy

Testing Site Location:
Weekday testing is at Thurgood Marshall Middle School, 4664 N. Rockton Ave, Rockford, IL 61103.
Saturday, March 8, 2025 testing site is at Thurgood Marshall Elementary, 4704 N. Rockton Ave, Rockford, IL 61103.

Notice: All tests administered within the 2024-2025 school year is to determine seat eligibility for the 2025-2026 school year. 

Sign Up For Winter Testing Registration
2024-2025 Gifted Testing Calendar
Kindergarten Testing Flow Chart

Questions about Testing?  

All testing and eligibility questions should be emailed to Email Gifted Academy. 

Gifted Academy Testing
​​The Gifted Academy program in Rockford Public Schools affirms the need to identify students with potential at any point in their educational career and to provide the kinds of educational services which will enable them to demonstrate a level of achievement commensurate with their potential.​

Based on research and common understandings about gifted programming, we welcome any student who lives within the boundaries of Rockford Public Schools to participate in our eligibility testing. We encourage anyone who sees potential in a child to contact the Gifted Academy for more information: a parent, a teacher, a school administrator, community member, even the student himself/herself.

Districtwide Universal Screening ​for Gifted Academy
All RPS district Kindergarten students will be screened for eligibility for the Gifted Academy using the Naglieri NonVerbal Ability Test and the STAR CAT test. This process takes place during fall and winter at all district elementary schools. Families are notified of results in late March. See Kindergarten Testing Flow Chart.

Accommodations
Students with testing accommodations documented on an IEP or 504 Plan will need to contact Email Joanna Nelson​​​, assistant principal, to discuss your child's specific accommodation needs. The IEP/504 Plan ​will be reviewed and testing options will be discussed. The Special Education and Psychology Departments may be consulted to develop the best plan for the student.​ The need for accommodations should be indicated on the online registration form.