Gifted & Talented

Alfonza W. Davis offers many academic courses and activities to enrich the curriculum established by the Omaha Public Schools.  Our Gifted & Talented program is designed for students who wish to be challenged through academic competition, honors courses, special activities, and programs.  We believe that all students need high expectations and challenges based on individual needs.  Our classroom teachers use differentiated instruction in their lessons to meet the needs and interests of all levels of learners.  Students are expected to develop self-discipline by meeting deadlines, asking questions, and acquiring organizational and study skills as they strive to become both independent and successful at the middle level and beyond

All students in grades 2-8 are screened several times each year for possible entry into the Gifted and Talented program. It is very important that all students who need GATE services participate in the program. The screening tools that are used include a cognitive test that measures a student’s potential ability, achievement tests which measure what a student is currently able to do, a measurement of motivation and current grades, and a measurement of creativity and leadership. Teachers, staff members, and parents/guardians are encouraged to advocate for all students who may qualify.

To be permanently identified for Gifted and Talented Education services, a student must meet at least 3 of the 4 criteria listed below:

• Cognitive – Top 5% at the school* or national level on an intelligence/ cognitive test
• Achievement – Top 5% at the school*, state, or national level on a grade level standardized or norm-referenced achievement test
• Motivation/Performance – “A” or Advanced (ADV) in 60% or more courses on the most recent end of term grade report (Elementary), 3.5 or greater on end of term or cumulative G.P.A. (secondary), OR Qualifying recommendation/involvement for Motivation/Performance as recorded on the Classroom Teacher Input Form OR Parent/Guardian/Student/Staff Recommendation**.
• Creativity/Leadership – Qualifying recommendation/involvement for Creativity or Leadership as recorded on the Classroom Teacher Input Form OR Parent/Guardian/Student/Staff Recommendation**. Parents, guardians, students, and staff members interested in having a student identified for Gifted and Talented Education services are welcome to complete a referral and/or recommendation.

Each referral or recommendation will be considered, and the student will have a referral and eligibility worksheet started so that all available criteria can be reviewed. The Omaha Public Schools’ Gifted and Talented Education carefully works to implement equitable identification processes and procedures that will permanently identify high performing students for GATE services within the Omaha Public Schools, nurture their social/emotional development and enhance their curriculum experiences so these unique individuals may reach their fullest potential.

Recommendation & Referral Timeline:

• 1st Quarter Recommendations due 9/26/25
• 2nd Quarter Recommendations due 12/12/25
• 3rd Quarter Recommendations due 2/20/26
• 4th Quarter Recommendations due 5/8/26

Motivation Referral Form 2025-2026

Leadership Referral Form 2025-2026

Creativity Referral Form 2025-2026

• African American History Challenge: The African America History Challenge is a national educational program designed by the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. to enhance the study of African-American history. The goal of the local competition is to encourage pride, self-worth, and an appreciation of the African-American legacy and culture in Omaha youth.
• Book Blasters: Book Blasters is a district-wide competition that involves a team of students who are responsible for reading approximately 8 selected novels. Teams then compete to see who reigns supreme in knowledge of the novels’ content. (Open to everyone, but there is a selection process as the competition approaches)
• Math Team (MATHCOUNTS): Math contests/competitions are available for all students throughout the year. MATHCOUNTS Competition is a national middle school coaching and competitive mathematics program that promotes mathematics achievement through a series of fun and engaging “bee” style contests. The National Society of Professional Engineers support MATHCOUNTS at the state and local levels. (Open to everyone, but there is a selection process as the competition approaches)
• National Junior Honor Society: National Junior Honor Society is open to 8th grade students (selected in the spring of their 7th grade year) with a 3.75 cumulative grade point average or higher. Acceptance is based on scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Induction of new members takes place in at the AWD Ceremony.
• Spelling Bee: The Omaha World Herald sponsors the Spelling Bee. This competition is open to all students. Students participate in mini spelling bees in their Language Arts class. The top students then compete in the Davis Spelling Bee. The winner of the Davis Spelling Bee competes in the Omaha Public School District Spelling Bee.
• Think Tank: Think Tank is a competitive problem-solving event for 8th graders at UNO. It features a challenge that involves creative problem-solving.
• Quiz Bowl: Quiz Bowl is an academic competition for all students. A four-member team competes against the clock and other teams to answer questions from various disciplines. Skills, such as teamwork, cooperative group discussion, problem-solving, and reaction time, are enhanced through practices and competitions.

In each Davis classroom, we strive to meet the needs of all learners. Differentiation of instruction is the modification of the curriculum to match the abilities, needs, learning styles, and interests of our students. This is accomplished through the use of instructional strategies that challenge all students. Pre-assessment, rubrics, pacing, high level questioning, scaffolding, compacting, and the acceleration of materials are all strategies that stretch the minds of high-ability learners. The Davis faculty uses a variety of these strategies to help students take control of their learning and prepare for a rigorous high school curriculum.