Gifted & Talented Trailblazer Program
Gifted & Talented - Trailblazer Program
Overview
Laramie County School District 1 believes high achieving academically gifted students have distinct academic and affective needs. The Trailblazer Program is a district-wide, K-6, self-contained program designed to meet the academic needs of students identified as high-achieving and gifted. The K-4th grade classrooms are located at Pioneer Park Elementary. Coyote Ridge and Meadowlark will each have one 5th grade and one 6th grade classroom beginning fall 2026.
5th and 6th grade Trailblazer students will attend their assigned 5/6 school based on their home school and residential address. These assignments ensure equitable access to programming, efficient transportation, and balanced class sizes. The students that attend within the South Triad boundary areas will be assigned to Coyote Ridge and Meadowlark based on South Greeley Highway. Please see the school assignments below.
Coyote Ridge: Central Triad students and South Triad students from Afflerbach, Cole, Goins, and Rossman
Meadowlark: East Triad students and South Triad students from Arp, Bain, Fairview, Hebard, and Sunrise
The goal of the Trailblazer Program is to guide students in maximizing learning and reaching their highest academic potential. The curricula focus on the processes of higher order thinking skills, cooperative learning, creative problem solving, and inquiry-based discovery to meet and/or exceed district curricula expectations.
Eligibility
A body of evidence will be used when identifying high achieving academically gifted students to determine appropriate academic placement. Data are collected in four areas: aptitude, achievement, behavior characteristics, and performance. An explanation for each area is listed below, and the possible data from each area that may be used as sources demonstrating high achieving academic giftedness.
- Aptitude: A nationally normed, standardized measure of cognitive ability will be administered by a school psychologist or other qualified professional
- Achievement: Primary Skill Assessments, District Assessments, State Assessments
- Behavior: Parent Rating Scale, Teacher Rating Scale, Parent Indicator, Teacher Indicator, Classroom Observations and/or Interviews
- Performance: Report Card, Student Writing Sample, Student Work Samples
Identification Process:
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- Anyone can refer a student for the program.
- Students may be referred through an informational letter after district screening assessments have been completed
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- Initial paperwork must be completed and returned to Pioneer Park by the deadlines found on this page.
- Initial paperwork can be found at each elementary school and on this page.
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- Parent/Guardian will be contacted to set up a time for aptitude testing.
- Evidence will be collected in the areas of achievement, behavior characteristics, and performance.
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- The Trailblazer Placement Committee will meet prior to the beginning of the school year and second semester to review applications and make recommendations.
- Parent/Guardian will be notified via phone of recommendation.
Deadlines
To be considered for K-6 grade placements initial paperwork must be submitted by the following deadlines:
- In district students for beginning of the school year placement: April 15
*Initial paperwork from teacher or parent referrals can be submitted as soon as January and will be prioritized for testing in order of date received.
- New to district students for beginning of the school year placement: August 5
- Second Semester Placement: November 15
- Identified gifted students transferring in from an out-of-district gifted program will be considered for placement year-round
Forms & Resources:
Contact Information:
Completed initial paperwork needs to be returned to:
Shelly Courtney, LCSD1 GT Facilitator
Pioneer Park Elementary
1407 Cosgriff Court
Cheyenne, WY 82001
307-771-2316
During the summer months completed initial paperwork needs to be returned to:
Department of Student Services
LCSD1
2810 House Avenue Rm. #128
Cheyenne, WY 82001
307-771-2188
Aptitude Testing Contact Information: Pioneer Park School Psychologist Brennen Proctor - 307-771-2316
