GT Referral and Screening Process at Mills
Step 1: If you are interested in seeing whether your child demonstrates a need for Gifted and Talented Services, please fill out the GT referral form. The link will open August 18, 2025 and close October 16, 2025.
Step 2: When a referral is submitted for a child, their parent or caregiver will be prompted to complete a Parent/Caregiver GT Observation Form.
Step 3: Student screening will begin in October and parents/caregivers will be notified of the results as soon as possible.
Step 4: GT Services will begin in January for newly-identified GT students.
Point of Contact: Referrals are received by our awesome Assistant Principal, Nic Ryan, who helps facilitate the implementation of GT assessment and services for our school. For questions about the GT identification process or services at Mills, please reach out to him via email at nicolas.ryan@austinisd.org!
Gifted and Talented (GT) Services
Austin ISD provides Gifted and Talented identification and services across all campuses. Campus GT Advocates support teachers, students, and families with dedicated resources and information.
Parents, caregivers, teachers, and community members may refer any student for GT identification. In addition, all second-grade students participate in the Universal Nonverbal Screener each fall as part of the GT identification process.
Elementary GT Services
Elementary GT services are provided within the general education classroom using a cluster grouping model led by GT-trained teachers. Parents will receive a GT Student Services Summary each semester.
Acceleration
For information on content-area or whole-grade acceleration (grade skipping), please visit the district Advanced Academics webpage.
Enrichment & Extracurricular Opportunities
GT students have opportunities to extend their learning, explore their interests, and engage in experiences that provide depth and complexity.
Opportunities may include enrichment activities, clubs, competitions, contests, mentorships, internships, and other activities beyond the traditional school day.
Gifted/Talented Screening Timeline - 2026-27 School Year
- August 18 - October 16: GT Referral Window Referral Forms
- September 22 - October 7: Nonverbal Universal Screener (2nd Grade Students Only)
- September 23 at Noon or 6 p.m.: Virtual GT Services Family Information Session Meeting Session
- October 26-November 20: Testing of referred students and continuing 2nd graders
- December 2-16: Campus GT Committee reviews assessments and observations to identify students
- December 18: Parent Notification of Eligibility
- January 2027: Newly Identified Students Begin Services
For more information on GT Services and the identification process, please visit the district website Gifted & Talented section.
Contact Information
Search for you campus in Campus GT Contacts
Family Resources in the Austin ISD Portal
Gifted and Talented Family Connection in the Austin ISD Portal
This is a site that families can access through the Austin ISD Portal (login required). It houses an ever-expanding library of family support materials and resources for GT students in grades K-12.
Visit the Austin ISD Portal and search for the “Gifted & Talented Family Connection.”