Regional Gifted Centers (RGC)
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Chicago Regional Gifted Centers (RGCs) are part of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Selective Enrollment Elementary Schools (SEES) system. These schools are designed for students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and benefit from an accelerated, enriched learning environment.
Regional Gifted Centers challenge students to think critically, solve complex problems, and explore subjects in greater depth than is typically possible in a traditional classroom. The accelerated pace allows students to move beyond grade-level standards while developing creativity, collaboration, and independent thinking.
Admission to Regional Gifted Centers is competitive and requires participation in the CPS Selective Enrollment admissions process.
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What Are Chicago Regional Gifted Centers?
Regional Gifted Centers provide a full-time educational program for academically advanced students from kindergarten through eighth grade.
Students receive instruction that is typically accelerated by one to two years in the upper grades, allowing additional time for:
- Research projects
- Inquiry-based learning
- Hands-on investigations
- Collaborative problem solving
- STEM activities
- Writing and presentations
- Leadership development
- Creative thinking
Teachers encourage students to ask questions, analyze information, and make connections across multiple subject areas.
Curriculum at Regional Gifted Centers
The curriculum is designed to challenge gifted learners while fostering curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.
Students typically receive accelerated instruction in:
- Reading and language arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social studies
- Computer science and technology
- Fine arts
- World languages or Latin (at many schools)
Many schools also integrate multiple subjects through interdisciplinary projects that encourage students to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
As students enter middle school, instruction becomes more departmentalized, helping to prepare them for advanced high school coursework.
Benefits of Regional Gifted Centers
Regional Gifted Centers provide students with opportunities to:
- Learn alongside intellectual peers
- Develop advanced reasoning skills
- Build creativity and innovation
- Strengthen leadership abilities
- Practice collaboration and communication
- Solve real-world problems
- Work independently on challenging projects
- Explore subjects in greater depth
The programs are designed not only to accelerate academic learning but also to support students’ social and emotional development as gifted learners.
Types of Regional Gifted Centers
Chicago Public Schools operates Regional Gifted Centers throughout the city.
Some schools are:
Full-Site Regional Gifted Centers
Every student in the school is enrolled in the Regional Gifted Center program.
Regional Gifted Centers Within Neighborhood Schools
Many Regional Gifted Centers are housed within neighborhood schools. These schools have both a traditional neighborhood program and a separate Regional Gifted Center.
Regional Gifted Centers for English Learners
Several Regional Gifted Centers serve academically advanced multilingual learners whose primary language is not English. These programs combine accelerated academics with bilingual language development.
Because school configurations occasionally change, families should consult the current GoCPS directory for the most up-to-date list of participating schools.
Who Can Apply?
Regional Gifted Centers have no geographic attendance boundaries. Eligible students who reside within the City of Chicago may apply regardless of where they live.
Families submit applications through the GoCPS application system during the annual Selective Enrollment application period.
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How Admissions Work
Kindergarten Through Grade 4
Students applying to kindergarten through fourth grade participate in admissions assessments administered by Chicago Public Schools.
Although CPS does not publicly identify the names of the admissions tests, it does publish the skills assessed for each program.
For Regional Gifted Centers, admissions assessments focus on areas such as:
- Verbal reasoning
- Nonverbal reasoning
- Working memory
- Pattern recognition
- Classification
- Analogical thinking
- Logical reasoning
- Creativity
- Problem solving
Grades 5 Through 8
Applicants to upper grades must first meet CPS academic eligibility requirements before participating in the admissions process.
Eligibility requirements may include standardized assessment performance and other academic criteria established by Chicago Public Schools.
Families should review the annual GoCPS application guide for current eligibility requirements and deadlines.
Preparing children by strengthening reasoning, critical thinking, reading, mathematics, and problem-solving skills remains the best approach.
How TestingMom Can Help
TestingMom helps students build the academic and reasoning skills commonly assessed for admission to Chicago Regional Gifted Centers.
Our resources include practice in:
- Verbal reasoning
- Quantitative reasoning
- Nonverbal reasoning
- Reading comprehension
- Mathematics
- Logic
- Pattern recognition
- Working memory
- Critical thinking
- Problem solving
- Executive function skills
We also offer one-on-one tutoring to help students prepare for the Chicago Selective Enrollment admissions process.
Whether your child is applying to a Regional Gifted Center, Classical School, or another advanced academic program, TestingMom provides engaging practice to build confidence, strengthen thinking skills, and prepare students for future academic success.
Start today with 100 Free Practice Questions and help your child develop the skills needed to excel in Chicago’s gifted programs.
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Tell us about your experiences
8 Responses
Hello,
Question about the test, is it only taken in English? What possibilities does a child with excellent grades but learning the English language have? We are applying for 7th grade to some selective school.
Hello,
Do you know if a child is able to transfer from one gifted school to another. For example, my daughter was accepted into Carnegie Regional Gifted Center, begins Kindergarten Fall 2024. Keller RGC is closer to our home but starts at 1st grade. Can she transfer next year?
What are the 13 Elementary RGC? I thought skinner north was one of them.
I do not seem to find the gifted center for Russian native speakers. Has it been discontinued?
What is a Comprehensive Gifted Program and how can it be implemented in schools such as Orozco, Pulaski and Greeley for English Learners?