The Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Program in Union County Public Schools is designed to support students who demonstrate a need for learning experiences that extend beyond the general education curriculum. Services are matched to student needs based on multiple indicators of aptitude, achievement, and performance.
Purpose of AIG Services
AIG services provide identified students with differentiated instruction in reading and/or math. These services may include enrichment, curriculum extensions, compacted content, or acceleration. The goal is to help students engage with academic content at an appropriate pace, depth, and level of complexity.
What Families Can Expect
Students identified for AIG services receive a Differentiated Education Plan (DEP) that outlines how instruction will be adjusted in one or more subject areas. These plans are reviewed annually and developed in collaboration with families, AIG teachers, and school staff. Services vary by grade span:
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Grades K–3: Talent development and enrichment are provided in the general education setting. Formal identification does not occur in these grades.
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Grades 3–5: Identified students participate in pull-out classes, small-group instruction, extension tasks, or other differentiated learning activities in reading and/or math.
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Grades 6–8: Students receive instruction in advanced classes. Curriculum may be compacted or accelerated.
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Grades 9–12: Services include honors, AP, and IB courses, dual enrollment, subject acceleration, and independent study aligned to student readiness and interest.
Identification Process
Students may be referred for AIG consideration by parents, teachers, school staff, or themselves. UCPS also uses a universal screening process in grades 3–7. A combination of aptitude tests, achievement data, classroom performance, and other indicators is used to develop a comprehensive learner profile. Students must meet UCPS Board-approved criteria to be formally identified for services. Click on Local Plan to find the identification criteria.
Additional Opportunities
In addition to formal AIG services, schools may offer a range of enrichment opportunities—such as academic clubs, competitions, interest-based projects, and summer programs—which are available to students based on school programming.
Contact Information
For questions about AIG services or the identification process, families are encouraged to contact the AIG Teacher or counselor at their child’s school.
