What are the differences between a student who is high achieving or creative and a student who is gifted? 🔍

Giftedness involves unconventional thinking and a need for intellectual challenges beyond general education, while high achievers thrive by mastering existing content. The big difference lies in the nature of each student’s abilities and approaches to learning. Recognizing these differences can help unlock the full potential of each student!

High Achiever

• Remembers the answers
• Generates advanced ideas
• Performs at the top of the group
• Learns with ease
• Needs 6 to 8 repetitions to master
• Enjoys the company of age peers
• Completes assignments on time
• Is highly alert and observant
• Initiates projects and extensions of assignments
• Is pleased with own learning
• Gets A's

Creative Thinker

• Sees exceptions
• Overflows with ideas, many of which will never be developed
• Is in own group
• Questions: What if...
• Questions the need for mastery
• Prefers the company of creative peers but often works alone
• Initiates more projects that will ever be completed
• Is intuitive
• Is never finished with possibilities
• May not be motivated by grades

Gifted Learner

• Poses unforeseen questions
• Is beyond the group 
• Already knows
• Needs 1-3 repetitions to master
• Prefers the company of intellectual peers
• Initiates projects and extensions of assignments
• Anticipates and relates observations
• Is self-critical
• May not be motivated by grades