Gwinnett County Public Schools Gifted Program

What is the Gwinnett County Public Schools Gifted Program?

The Gwinnett County Public Schools gifted education program serves students in grades K-12 by providing academic challenges for those students who qualify for gifted services. Gifted education students receive enriched academic curriculum experiences that focus on extending the Gwinnett County Public Schools’ core curriculum, the Academic Knowledge and Skills. Students are identified and placed in gifted education based on criteria established by the Georgia State Board of Education.


Watch our video to learn more about Mercer Publishing’s Gifted and Talented Test preparation system.


What are the benefits of the Gwinnett County Gifted Program?

The gifted program is called FOCUS at the elementary school level, PROBE at the middle school level, and is referred to as gifted education and QUEST in high school. Students participating in the program in grades K-5 may receive instruction in resource, cluster and/or advanced content classes. Middle and high school students receive instruction in advance-content classes.

  • FOCUS = Fostering, Originality, Creativity, Understanding and Self Awareness
  • PROBE=Problem-Solvers, Researchers, Observers, Brainstormers, Evaluators
  • QUEST=Querying Unusual Extended Study Topics

How do students qualify for the Gwinnett County Gifted Program?

Students in grades 1-5 will be screened during the school year.  You will be notified in writing if your student is referred for gifted testing based on the screening. The screening tests will consist of the CogAT, the NNAT3, and the Iowa Test.

In order to qualify, students must meet the state criteria in three out of the following four areas: Mental Ability, Academic Achievement, Creativity, and Motivation.

  • Mental Ability 96th percentile
  • Achievement 90th percentile
  • Creativity 90th percentile or 90%
  • Motivation 90% (K-5)

What is the best way to prepare for the Gwinnett County Gifted Program?

The best way to prepare for the Gwinnett County Gifted Program is by exposing your child to the exam formats and the types of questions they will see on the day of the test. With Mercer Publishing’s full-length practice tests, your child will experience the same format and number of questions as the actual exam. Each practice test booklet contains 1 full-length exam and comes with the answers and explanations. To view sample questions to these two tests, please feel free to visit our sample questions pages.

View our CogAT Sample Questions
View our NNAT3 Sample Questions
View our Iowa Test Sample Questions

To begin preparing your child for success, click on the relevant grade level to view our selection of grade-specific practice tests and materials.