Aurora Quest K-8 is a magnet school that supports the unique intellectual, social, emotional and creative needs of gifted and high potential students in an atmosphere of respect for all.
The admissions process at Aurora Quest K-8 is an equitable process highlighting the student's need for specialized programming based on the following criteria:
- A "Far Above Average" to "Superior" level of cognitive abilities, as indicated by a full-scale score of the 84th percentile or above on a gold-standard IQ test or approved cognitive assessment (CogAT, NNAT3, DAS, WISC, WPPSI)
- Recommendations from parents and teachers
- Report card data
- State Assessment Data
- Performance-based measures
- Student work, reflection and questionnaire(s)
This admissions process is designed to draw from all qualified candidates across the school district and to reflect the demographics of the district.
Who is Eligible to Apply to Aurora Quest K-8?
- Students currently in grades K-7th who have been identified as gifted or high potential learners.
- In-district students must have gone through the gifted and talented identification process and been identified as gifted or high potential.
- Early entrance to kindergarten at age 4 or early entrance to first grade at age 5 for highly advanced gifted children who are placed in a grade level above other same aged peers based upon the following conditions:
- Student shall be age 4 by October 1 for kindergarten; and age 5 by October 1 for first grade. 12.08(2)(e)(i)(D) and
- The student meets requirements for accelerated placement as determined in an auditable body of evidence (e.g., achievement, ability, social-emotional factors, school learning skills, developmental characteristics, and family and school support.) ECEA 12.01(12)
- The student is formally identified as gifted as specified in 12.01(16) of the Exceptional Children's Educational Act (ECEA);
Parents of APS students currently attending Kindergarten - 7th grade interested in applying to Quest who are not currently identified as gifted and talented or high-potential, must notify their school’s Gifted and Talented (GT) Facilitator by Tuesday, December 10, 2024 so that the GT identification process (the testing and identification) can be completed before applications are due. All completed Aurora Quest K-8 applications are due December, 20, 2024.