Application Process

Thank you for your interest in Ricks Center for Gifted Children! Application forms and further details for each age range can be found in the Start Your Application section below. We have limited space available, and are accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year.  We are also accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year, and look forward to getting to know your family!

Submit your application electronically to amy.jacobs@du.edu

Submit your application in person or by mail to:
Ricks Center for Gifted Children
2040 South York Street
Denver, CO 80208

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis as space is available. Pre-school students must be 3 years old and potty-trained prior to the start of school. Each applicant is considered on individual merit without regard for financial need, race, color, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity or ethnic background.

Start Your Application

  • Early Childhood (Pre-School - Pre-Kindergarten)
    1. Complete the Early Childhood application form
    2. Submit your completed application form with the $75 application fee
    3. If your child has previously attended pre-school, please submit a teacher recommendation form
    4. Participate in a play-based visit or at home activity

    *No testing is required for pre-school/pre-k applicants.

  • Kindergarten
    1. Complete the Early Childhood application form
    2. Submit your completed application form with the $75 application fee
    3. Submit a teacher recommendation form
    4. Participate in a play based visit or at home activity

    *No testing is required for Kindergarten applicants.  However, if you have testing, please submit as part of the application. 

  • Lower Primary (Grades 1 - 2)
    1. Complete the Primary application form
    2. Submit your completed application form with the $75 application fee
    3. Submit test results*
    4. If your child has been identified as gifted elsewhere, please submit the identification criteria and documentation
    5. Submit your child's school transcript or report card
    6. Submit a teacher recommendation form from your child's current teacher
    7. Schedule a shadow day

    *If no test results are available, we can conduct onsite testing as part of the application process.

    *Assessments should be obtained from psychologists who specialize in educational testing and are experienced in the assessment of gifted children. The assessment must include:

    • An individual test of intelligence, including WISC, DAS, or other school district administered ability test such as CogAT or NNAT
    • A test of achievement such as the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement, Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT), Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement, ISEE or another nationally recognized assessment completed within the past two years

     

  • Upper Primary (Grades 3 - 4)
    1. Complete the Primary application form
    2. Submit your completed application form with the $75 application fee
    3. Submit an educational needs assessment.*
    4. If your child has been identified as gifted elsewhere, please submit the identification criteria and documentation
    5. Submit your child's school transcript or report card
    6. Submit a teacher recommendation form from your child's current teacher
    7. Schedule a shadow day

    *Assessments should be obtained from psychologists who specialize in educational testing and are experienced in the assessment of gifted children. The assessment must include:

    • An individual test of intelligence, including WISC, DAS, or other school district administered ability test such as CogAT or NNAT
    • A test of achievement such as the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement, Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT), Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement, ISEE or another nationally recognized assessment completed within the past two years
  • Middle School (Grades 5 - 8)
    1. Complete the Middle School Application form
    2. Submit your completed application form with the $75 application fee
    3. Submit an educational needs assessment.*
    4. If your child has been identified as gifted elsewhere, please submit the identification criteria and documentation
    5. Submit your child's school transcript or report card
    6. Submit a teacher recommendation form from your child's current teacher
    7. Schedule a shadow day

    *Assessments should be obtained from psychologists who specialize in educational testing and are experienced in the assessment of gifted children. The assessment must include:

    • An individual test of intelligence, including WISC, DAS, or other school district administered ability test such as CogAT or NNAT
    • A test of achievement such as the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement, Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT), Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement, ISEE or another nationally recognized assessment completed within the past two years