Celina ISD provides many opportunities for further talent development:

• Academic Pentathlon
• Academic Decathlon
• National Junior Honor Society
• National Honor Society
• Student Council
• UIL Competitions
• Theatre Productions
• All City Middle School Honors Music Groups
• Pre-Advanced Placement
• Advanced Placement
• Community Service Opportunities
• GT Humanities (Middle School and High School)

• Teachers and parents may refer a student to the GT program for evaluation during the designated windows.
   

• Gifted & Talented teachers on each campus will coordinate and administer testing. 
   

• Referral Windows (refer to page 4 of the GT Service Handbook) 

• Transfer students who were identified GT in their previous districts may begin upon enrollment in school and approval of the GT campus committee.

• The GT Committee, comprised of at least three members, will have a minimum of 30 hours of training with a special emphasis on the nature and needs of gifted students.  Qualifying students must meet 2 out of 3 CogAT criteria as very high and 1 out of 2 MAP criteria as very high.  The District Selection Committees adopt a holistic review process to student data, evaluating both quantitative testing data and qualitative data gathered from parents and teachers. We consider district norms for Gifted and Talented Placement. 

• All parents who requested testing will receive either an acceptance or DNQ (did not qualify) letter through Skyward.
   

• Parents of qualifying students must return the acceptance letter signed to the school campus Gifted & Talented teacher.

Celina ISD uses multiple measures to evaluate students for eligibility into the Gifted and Talented program. A combination of data is used, both qualitative and quantitative. 

Referral Window -  October 5, 2026 through October 16, 2026

Kinder
Referred students will be given the CogAT test February 1-11, 2027.

Parents are notified of the results in late February. Students will begin services March 1, 2027.

1st, 3rd-6th

Referred students will be given the CogAT test November 9-20, 2026.

Parents are notified of the results the end of December.  Students will begin services in January 2027.

2nd

All 2nd grade students will be given the CogAT test November 2-4, 2026. 

Parents are notified of the results the end of December. Students will begin services in January 2027.

7th-11th

Referred students will be given the CogAT test December 7-11, 2026.

Parents are notified of the results the end of December.  Students will begin services in January 2027.

Requirements:

Qualifying students must meet 2 out of 3 CogAT criteria as  very high and one score very high for MAP.  The District Selection Committee will use a holistic approach to process and review student data evaluating both qualitative and quantitative scores.  We also look at parent and teacher info when considering placement.  

For students previously identified GT by our district - no retesting required. Once GT, always GT unless furloughed or requested to be exited. 

Students may only be tested once per calendar year (not school year). For example: A kinder student that was tested in Spring cannot be retested in the fall of 1st grade. 

Celina ISD Gifted and Talented has officially partnered with the Center for Gifted and Talented Development at Baylor University to offer our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students Baylor TIP!

Baylor TIP’s mission is to identify exceptional talent in STEM and the humanities and provide world-class learning opportunities commensurate with students’ exceptional potential. Baylor TIP focuses on both the identification of talent through our assessments and the opportunity to develop talents through customized educational recommendations and out-of school options.

Student Program Overview

About the IAR

Baylor Tip Offerings Flyer

Goals

• Provide transformative learning opportunities to pre-collegiate students in STEM and the humanities.
• Identify and recruit diverse students from Texas and surrounding areas with the ability, interest, and motivation to achieve at exceptional levels.
• Prepare precollegiate students for exceptional achievement by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment in a caring environment.

Talent Search Process

• Register for and take the Indicator of Academic Readiness (IAR 8/9) or Indicator of Academic Readiness. Tests will be taken online.
• After taking the assessment, students will receive a detailed score report with educational recommendations.
• All students who qualify for Baylor TIP are eligible to participate in enrichment and accelerated learning opportunities offered by the Center, including the University for Young People (UYP).
• 7th Grade students will be honored in a recognition ceremony, which will be held in May each year.

Qualifications Needed to Take the Baylor TIP Assessments

Students qualify to take our above-level assessments through any one of three avenues:

• score in the top 25% on one or more subtests of a state or national standardized exam (local norms are recommended but not required),
• be formally identified as gifted or talented by a district, or
• be recommended by a teacher, administrator, and/or parent.

Identifying Student Talent Baylor TIP offers two above-level assessments. Students who are qualified to take the assessments will complete:

Indicator of Academic Readiness (IAR 8/9) for 6th Graders OR
Indicator of Academic Readiness for 7th & 8th Graders
Baylor TIP Test
Manual Baylor TIP Info

Email Mrs. Galyon at mechellegalyon@celinaisd.com for more information about Baylor TIP in CISD.