If you believe your child may be intellectually gifted and you’re considering applying to Westmount Charter School, a Westmount Charter School gifted assessment is a crucial first step. This formal evaluation determines if your child meets the cognitive criteria required for admission and provides valuable insights into their unique strengths and learning needs.
What Is a Gifted Assessment?
A gifted assessment is a formal evaluation of a child’s cognitive abilities, usually compared with norms for their age group. These assessments measure skills like reasoning, verbal comprehension, visual/spatial processing, memory, and processing speed. The goal is to understand how the child thinks, learns, solves problems, and processes information—not merely to assign a number or label.
Typically, children who score in or above the 98th percentile on standardized tests (i.e. a score around 130 ± 5) are considered in the “gifted range.” Such scores often form part of the eligibility requirements for programs like Westmount Charter School or gifted programs in public school systems.
However, a gifted assessment is more than just an entrance ticket. It can reveal hidden strengths, learning preferences, and opportunities for tailored instruction or enrichment—even if the child does not ultimately enroll in a gifted program.
Why Westmount Charter School Requires Gifted Assessment
Westmount Charter School, based in Calgary, specializes in serving intellectually gifted learners from Kindergarten through Grade 12. To apply for admission, prospective students must submit a formal cognitive assessment showing high ability in relation to peers.
Because admission is competitive, a well‑written and carefully interpreted assessment report can make a difference. Moreover, the assessment helps the school, as well as parents, understand how the child thinks and what supports or enrichment they may need.
It’s also important that the assessment aligns with Westmount’s criteria—not just any IQ test will do. The report must measure the right indices (like Full Scale IQ or General Ability Index) and present them in a way that matches Westmount’s admission requirements.
Note: Westmount defines “giftedness” as students who score at or above the 98th percentile (approximately a standard score of 130 ± 5) on individually administered intelligence tests.
The RMPS Approach: More Than Just a Test
Rocky Mountain Psychological Services (RMPS) offers a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to gifted assessment. Their goal: to produce precise, useful results that respect each child’s unique profile and to support families throughout the journey. Below is a general outline of how they approach this process:
- Parent Interview & History Gathering
RMPS begins with a detailed interview with parents to understand developmental, medical, educational, and family history. This helps frame the assessment in context. - Customized Assessment Plan
Based on the interview, they design a plan that aligns with Westmount’s expectations and addresses the child’s individual profile. - Individual Testing Sessions
The child completes standardized tests (e.g. WISC‑V, WPPSI‑IV, Stanford‑Binet) in one or two sessions with a qualified clinician. These tests are administered following strict protocols to ensure fairness and comparability. - Scoring, Review & Interpretation
RMPS doesn’t just report raw test scores. They analyze how the child performed in different domains, look for patterns, integrate additional testing if necessary, and interpret what it means for the child’s strengths and learning needs. - Feedback & Report Delivery
Parents receive a comprehensive report and a meeting to review findings, recommendations, and next steps. RMPS also offers ongoing support to address questions and help implement strategies. - Follow-Up Support (Optional)
Some families opt in to a follow-up session (e.g. ~six weeks later) to revisit results, refine strategies, or address new questions.
Because RMPS “goes beyond the basics,” they aim to present the child’s strengths in the best possible light, not only for admission decisions but for long‑term growth.
What to Expect: Timeline, Cost, and Tips
Timeline
A gifted assessment usually takes several steps over weeks:
- Scheduling the parent interview
- Conducting testing sessions
- Scoring and compiling the report
- Feedback meeting
- Optional follow-up
Given administrative time, it’s advisable to begin well ahead of application deadlines. For Westmount, the Kindergarten to Grade 4 application deadline is November 28—so families often aim to complete assessments before that date.
Cost
Costs vary by provider and complexity. Some assessments are priced to include a full report; others allow families to decline a full report if the child does not meet gifted criteria. For example, depending on the provider, a Westmount‑specific gifted assessment may cost roughly CAD 1,150 (for cognitive testing only) or more with additional reporting. Other sources suggest full packages including reports might cost more (e.g. ~$1,200) depending on complexity and provider.
Always confirm with the assessment center what services are included—testing time, scoring, report writing, feedback, and any follow‑up. Also ask about options if a child does not meet the gifted threshold (some providers offer reduced fees or alternate reports).
Tips for Parents & Children
- Make sure your child is well rested and has a good breakfast on testing days.
- Try to avoid overpreparing or “teaching to the test”—these assessments are not meant to be coached.
- Be open and honest during the parent interview; details about development, learning history, and behavior help inform the assessment.
- Ask in advance: Which specific tests will be used? Will the report align with Westmount’s criteria (FSIQ, GAI)?
- Start early—especially to ensure results are ready before application deadlines.
Beyond Admission: The Value of a Gifted Assessment
Even if your child is not ultimately admitted to Westmount, the assessment yields valuable insights:
- You’ll understand your child’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses better.
- The report can guide enrichment, school accommodations, or curriculum modifications.
- You’ll gain tools and strategies to support your child’s growth.
- For future applications (to other gifted programs or schools), you’ll already have a solid baseline.
In this way, the assessment is not just a means to get in—it is a meaningful tool for long‑term educational planning.
Conclusion
Applying to Westmount Charter School requires more than ambition—it requires precise, reliable, and thoughtfully interpreted cognitive assessment. With its rigorous admission standards and focus on gifted learners, Westmount expects assessments that reflect high-level reasoning, depth, and consistency with its criteria.
Rocky Mountain Psychological Services offers an assessment approach that is not just about ticking boxes but about understanding your child deeply: how they think, where they thrive, and how best to support their journey. If you’re considering Westmount or simply want clarity about your child’s intellectual profile, securing a professional gifted assessment is a critical step.
