The Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted & Talented Students requires that gifted students have opportunities to work independently, with other classmates, and with other gifted students during the school day and through the entire school year.
Sherman ISD will assure an array of learning opportunities that are appropriate to the abilities of gifted and talented students that emphasize content in the four core academic areas (English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies).
Grades K-5 are served through a GT pull-out program called Challenge, delivered by GT trained specialists as well as through differentiated activities when appropriate in the regular classroom. GT students are pulled out for the Challenge Program 1 to 3 hours weekly depending on grade level and class size. GT students will produce a research-based product to present at an end of year showcase hosted by Sherman ISD. Students receive differentiated instruction during Challenge class and are not required to complete the work they miss in their regular class when they are at Challenge. Students are required to know and understand the concepts that they miss in the regular class when they are at Challenge. It is recommended that, when possible, new concepts not be introduced when the GT students are at Challenge and that time instead be used as a review time for the other students in class.
Grades 6-8 are served through Advanced Academics/GT (AA/GT) classes in the four core academic areas. A student may participate in all four AA/GT classes, but it is not required. A AA/GT student must participate in at least one AA/GT class, or he/she will be placed on furlough. Starting in the 2026-27 school year, GT students will be pulled during advisory time with a GT trained teacher to work on project-based learning and STEM related activities. They will produce a research-based product to present at an end of year showcase hosted by Sherman ISD.
Grades 9-12 are served through academic course options at the high school. AA/GT students can take AA/GT designated Pre-AP and AP English courses all four years. The courses do not always have enough GT students to create a class but are offered annually and scheduled if numbers permit. GT students also have the opportunity to take advanced courses (AP and Advanced CTE, Dual Credit) in all areas including core academics, fine arts, and career and technical education. Starting in the 2026-27 school year, GT students will be pulled during advisory time with a GT trained teacher to work on project-based learning and STEM related activities. They will produce a research-based product to present at an end of year showcase hosted by Sherman ISD.
