Gifted Assessments - Westmount & GATE
You know your child is a special learner. Gifted and Talented children usually learn quickly and more independently compared to other children, or they might have an incredibly developed vocabulary and you wonder where they learned it! Sometimes gifted learners can read or write far above their age and might hold themselves to a higher standard of achievement.
If you have wondered if your child is gifted and want to find answers, we can help. A Gifted Assessment will provide a cognitive profile to help you understand their learning profile and discuss future opportunities. You can ensure they have the best education for future success.
Section 1: What Is A Gifted & Talented Learner?
Sometimes parents have a sense that their child is well beyond other kids their age or perhaps a teacher suggests that your child may be gifted.
Gifted refers to a child who has exceptional talent or natural ability; a natural aptitude or cognitive skill. Cognitive testing measures achievement in 5 cognitive domains; Verbal Comprehension, Visual Spatial Reasoning, Fluid Reasoning, Working Memory, and Processing Speed. The required criteria to be categorized as Gifted depends on the program families would like to apply for
Some families may wish to submit an application to gifted programs which require a recent Psycho-Educational assessment. In Calgary, this includes the Gifted and Talented Education program (GATE) with CBE and Westmount Charter School. Each has slightly different admission requirements, which we are happy to customize for you.
Section 2: What does a Gifted Assessment include?
A Gifted assessment includes the following (report not included)
The intake session can be completed online, by zoom, or in person, at our office. You will be asked to share information about your child’s learning style, previous academic achievements, and developmental milestones. This is where parents get to share all of their concerns and ask the Psychologist questions regarding the process and their child specifically. You can bring previous report cards, medical records, or anything you feel is important.
This usually occurs right after the intake session. Parents can wait in our comfortable waiting room, or they may depart (depending on your child’s age and comfort level) and return at an arranged time. Your child will complete a series of standardized tests to determine how they are functioning compared to same age peers. Children frequently tell us that these activities feel like brain games and many of them find them challenging and fun! While this takes on average 2 hours, it may take a shorter, or longer, time depending on your child.
After the testing session is completed, families are invited back into the testing room and the Psychologist will explain the results. All five cognitive domains will be discussed and the overall Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ). You can ask any questions you’d like at this point, and the Psychologist will ensure you have a firm understanding of the options available to your child.
If your child meets gifted criteria, most families wish to proceed with a report (additional fee). If they do not, the family can choose to stop the assessment.
Total fee to this point is $500
Section 3: Costs
Total Fee for a Gifted testing session and a Westmount report:
Full Inclusive Fee including report: $720 & 480 = $1200
An application to the Westmount Charter School must include recent cognitive testing and a comprehensive report
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Step 1: 30 minute interview with parents / guardians
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Step 2: 2 hour cognitive testing session
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Step 3: Debrief session with your family
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Comprehensive hard copy report for submission
- Digital password protected copy for your family
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Total Fee for a Gifted assessment & a GATE report:
Full Inclusive free with a report: $1920
An application to the GATE Program with CBE must include recent cognitive testing, as well as academic testing and a comprehensive report. A gifted assessment customized to the GATE Program includes the following:
Step 1: 30 minute interview with parents / guardians
Step 2: 2 hour cognitive testing session
Step 3: 2 hour academic testing session
Step 4: Debrief session with your family
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Comprehensive hard copy report for submission
- Digital password protected copy for your family
Some families wish to apply to gifted programs in other provinces based on their child’s scores or a family’s need to move. As every school has individual requirements, please email sheri@calgarypsychservices.com to discuss your specific requirements.
Section 4: Westmount Applications For 2026/2027 have closed. Please check back to see the application window for 2027/28
Calgary Psychological Services invites you to learn more about the gifted brain. Kate Cluley, Registered Psychologist shares information with parents regarding giftedness.
Questions?
Contact Us:
Susi Anderson – Client Coordinator
clientcare@calgarypsychservices.com
Teresa Thompson – Office Admin
office@calgarypsychservices.com
