Crestwood School offers its Gifted and Talented (G&T) Program for students identified as "Gifted and Talented", as coded by their elementary school. Students coded G&T are eligible to apply to the Program.
The G&T Program presents the curriculum delivered at a challenging pace, allowing us greater instructional time for enrichment activities; enabling a focus on critical thinking, inquiry, and problem solving; presenting an environment where teachers encourage students' development of strategies, of a growth mindset, all within a “culture of learning” from mistakes; and the program presents a lively and productively busy room, where students engage in collaboration, in meaningful debate, in vibrant discussion, in authentic peer feedback, and in goal setting. There is active questioning by both teachers and by its students!
Applications for the G&T program are currently being processed. Your elementary school will notify you of the results.
Visit the Gifted and Talented information website for further information.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: When can I apply to Crestwood for the Academic Alternative Program?
A: The application process is open from: January 10-31, 2025.
Q: When is the portfolio due?
A: The portfolio must be completed by January 31, 2025 at 4:00 pm.
Q: Can I apply to both the Gifted and Talented Program and the Academic Alternative Program at Crestwood ?
A: Sorry, you do not have this option. If you are requesting to attend our Gifted and Talented Program, your current school will need to help you with this process. From February 3-10, 2025 your elementary school will be able to complete the SNAP process for coded students. Please note that the timelines are different for our two Junior High programs.
Q: How does my child’s current Grade 6 teacher fill out the Teacher Input form?
A: Once the application form is complete, we will send an email to the student’s current Grade 6 teacher. They will complete the confidential teacher input section, which is due February 6, 2025.
Q: When are the group interviews?
A: Students will come to the school for a scheduled group interview during the week of February 11-12, 2025. We will send you more information once applications are complete.
Q: What if my child does not complete the portfolio before the due date?
A: Students must complete all aspects of this portfolio before January 31 at 4:00 pm in order to be considered for a position at Crestwood.
Q: When will we find out if my child has been accepted to attend Crestwood for Grade 7? A: Families will be notified of the status of their application by March 13, 2025.
Q: I have another younger child, can they attend Crestwood as well ?
A: That depends on whether that particular grade has room for additional students. Crestwood School is currently at Growth Control Model Level 2. Schools at Level 2 of the Growth Control Model are nearing capacity. Most schools at this level have closed boundaries and do not accept students from outside the attendance area. ( Growth Control Model Explained )
Q: My child currently does not attend an Elementary School with Edmonton Public Schools. Can they still apply to attend Crestwood for Junior High?
A: Yes, however students need an EPSB (Edmonton Public School Board) email to join the Google Classroom required to complete the portfolio process. These students should contact the office for a digital copy of the requirements of the portfolio process at crestwood@epsb.ca . If your child is not currently enrolled in Edmonton Public Schools, you will need to submit an Edmonton Public School new student registration form online.
Q: We live in the attendance area for Crestwood School, and are not currently attending Crestwood School, what do we need to do?
A: If you live in our designated attendance area, you are not required to complete the application process since Crestwood is your designated Junior High School. Please email the Crestwood office at crestwood@epsb.ca for more information on your next steps (address verification, registration, etc.).
Q: How is the Gifted and Talented Program different from the Academic Alternative Program?
A: The Gifted and Talented programming supports students who have advanced intellectual ability compared to other students their age. These students have exceptional potential or ability across a wide range of areas, from creative thinking to understanding abstract relationships. Students in this program have the special needs code 80. Group activities and projects allow students to extend their learning and explore multiple complex problems and challenges.
Q: If my child currently attends Edmonton Public and is coded Gifted and Talented, are they guaranteed a spot in the Gifted and Talented program at Crestwood?
A: Sorry, attendance in our Gifted and Talented Program is based on available space and the zone in which you currently live.
Q: If my child is coded Gifted and Talented, how do I apply for a spot in the Gifted and Talented program at Crestwood?
A: The process to apply for the special needs programming class is different. You DO NOT go through the SAME application process as the Academic Alternative program. You need to ask your current elementary school to use the SNAP process. Elementary schools must SNAP eligible students from Feb. 3-10. Your elementary school will let you know if you have been accepted by MARCH 13.
Q: How does the Academic Alternative Program differ from regular programming in Junior High?
A: All Edmonton Public Schools programming is based on curriculum determined by Alberta Education. The Academic Alternative Program combines a focus of academic excellence in the core subjects with strategies that foster a joy in learning through creative, critical and global thinking. Students discover their own strengths as learners in order to become citizens and leaders in a changing world.
Q: Can I apply for more than one school in Edmonton Public?
A: Students will be notified with adequate time to enroll in another junior high school if they are not accepted at Crestwood. You can pre-enroll in a school before the deadline of March 19, 2025.
Q: Does Crestwood have yellow bus service?
A: Crestwood does not have yellow bus service, but it is accessible from ETS.
