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• Ricks Center for Gifted Children at the University of Denver is an exemplary program designed for gifted children. We provide nationally recognized gifted education to approximately 100 students ranging from ages three years old through eighth grade, who demonstrate exceptional, differentiated abilities and learning needs.
• Our mission is to empower intellectually gifted children to thrive and achieve their full potential.
• We purposefully uncover and tap into students' interests in order to spark and fuel the passion in their minds.
• We nurture both the intellect and heart, opening new worlds for our students, and preparing them to do more and go farther than they ever thought possible, both now and in the future.
• This is Ricksfinity..

At Ricks, we believe:
LEARNING BEGINS AT THE EDGE We push ourselves outside the comfort zone. We work through the struggles and never give up. We cherish moments of success - big or small - they all matter.

ENJOY THE JOURNEY We are curious explorers, cherishing childhood joy. We have fun and laugh, but also allow ourselves to cry. We appreciate every bend in the road and discovery we make along the way.

MAKE YOUR MARK We are innovators - eliminating boundaries and resolving challenges. We ask tough questions and bring new ideas. We leave a lasting impression, and make Ricks, and the world, a better place.

EMBRACE YOUR INNER QUIRKINESS We believe the things that make us unique also make us interesting. We don't conform or sacrifice individuality. We maintain open minds and hearts, encouraging everyone to be themselves, while respecting the uniqueness of others.

Gifted children can be curious and easily bored, considerate and demanding, quick to understand and quick to judge, persistent and perfectionistic, independent and isolated. Those facets are what we consider while designing rigorous and engaging curriculum for our students from preschool through middle school. Our goals are to challenge students, to allow them to explore content, ideas, and passions, and to prepare them to be successful when they leave Ricks.

• Low student to teacher ratio which allows teachers to focus on strategies specifically designed to meet the learning needs of their students
• Curriculum designed around the whole child, taking into account affective and academic needs
• Curriculum that is thematic and integrated across content areas through overarching themes and concepts
• Class work based upon national standards, and is differentiated to reflect student abilities and interests
• Time for exploration is regularly scheduled; passion pursuits are integral at all levels
• Located on the University of Denver campus

TOGETHER, WE ARE BETTER We elevate one another's thinking, talents and spirits. We make this a safe place to try and a safe place to fail. We lift one another up and are thankful to have found one another. Together, we are Ricks.