For more information, contact:

Angela Thompson, Perspectives Coordinator, 801-264-7430
Melissa B. Hamilton, Director, Elementary Teaching & Learning, 801-264-7400

APPLICATION/Full-Time Perspectives Gifted/Talented Program 2018-19

“Gifted students possess talent and abilities that differ from those of their peers to such a degree that differentiated opportunities must be provided to help them develop to their greatest potential. In keeping with the Murray City Schools goals to assure the development of curriculum and implementation of instructional programs which will serve the needs of all students, the Murray Board of Education is committed to the identification of gifted students, and to providing appropriate educational experiences for those students.” (Murray School District Board Policy IN306)

The Perspectives Gifted and Talented program addresses the needs of high-ability elementary students through a full-time program at McMillan Elementary for identified students, 1st – 6th grades. Enrichment classes in Creative Pursuit and Debate are provided after school at each elementary school for 5th and 6th-grade students. All Murray secondary schools offer students opportunities to participate in the Utah Talent Search, Mock Trial, Young Craftsman’s Fair, Math Counts, and other programs for more advanced students, under the direction of the counselors and teachers. Students in the junior high schools have a variety of opportunities for academic enrichment. The curriculum is designed to be interdisciplinary while focusing on higher level thinking skills, problem-solving, research, and independent studies. Not all programs are done every year. The professional staff works together to meet individual student’s needs. A task force of counselors and teachers at Murray High School is involved in providing various services to gifted and talented students, including: Honors Syllabus, expanding scholarship opportunities, advanced placement and honors courses.

Changes have been made in the MCSD after-school enrichment programs offered to 5th and 6th-grade students through the Gifted and Talented program with the introduction of Math Olympiad as an alternate after school enrichment opportunity for 4th – 6th-grade students.

Math Olympiad Parent Letter 2016
Math Olympiad will be taught once a week with a coach, in the same after school setting as Creative Pursuit and Debate. The students on the Math Olympiad team will participate in five contests throughout the year from November to March (one per month). Every student will work their own problems and all scores are combined to make a team total. Certificates are awarded to all participants, and top individual and top team scores are further recognized with additional awards. Some of the goals of Math Olympiad are:

  • To stimulate enthusiasm and love for mathematics.
  • To teach major strategies for problem-solving.
  • To foster mathematical creativity and ingenuity.

Gifted & Talented Internet Reference Sites:


Academy of Achievement
Biographies and interviews with eminent people in their field
Association for the Education of Gifted Underachievement Students
Advocacy for twice-exceptional and underachieving gifted students
Association for the Gifted
A division of the Council for Exceptional Children
Belin-Blank Center
U of Iowa based, provides info and opportunities for gifted students
Center for Exceptional Children
Special education website with some information on gifted
Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development
University of Connecticut based
Davidson Institute for Talent Development
Links to gifted information
Education and Gifted Student Resources
Articles published on gifted and talented students, education
ERIC Clearinghouse for Disabilities and Gifted Education
Research and articles on gifted and talented students, education
Free Spirit Publishing
Gifted education, emotional needs of all children, service learning
Gifted Children Monthly
Annual Subscription website with information about gifted
Gifted Development Center
Denver, Colorado based with gifted expert Dr. Linda Silverman
GT World
Online support for parents of gifted children
Hoagies Gifted Education Page
Gifted information for parents and educators
John Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth
John Hopkins talent search and program information
Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program
Summer enrichment program for high ability students
Pieces of Learning
Publisher of enrichment activity books and videos
Prufrock Press
Publisher of materials in gifted education
Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted
Info on social-emotional needs of gifted children and adults
Summer Institute for the Gifted
Summer institute programs through various universities
TAG Families of the Talented and Gifted
For parents of gifted children
Teachers First
Addresses needs of gifted children in the regular classroom
TIP Program
Duke University Talent Search
Utah Association for Gifted Children (UAGC)
Utah advocacy and informational organization for parents, educators
Utah History Fair
Utah History Fair info with link to the National site