UPDATE: On August 24, the deadline to apply for upper grade Gifted and Talented programswas extended from August 27 to September 17,

The Department of Education is accepting applications for upper elementary grade seats in Gifted and Talented programs through August 27.   One  hitch:  Parents can't complete their applications until they know their child's scores on the 2010 standardized English and math exams, which will be available on the ARIS Parent Link beginning the week of August 16. Another hitch: There may be very few seats available.

Students entering 4th or 5th grade who achieved the highest level of  "4" on both their 2010 English and math tests are eligible to apply for a G&T seat for the 2010-11 school year.  Rising 4th graders can apply for available spots at K to 5, K to 6, and K to 8  G&T programs.  Rising 5th graders only can apply for spots at K to 6 and K to 8 G&T programs.

Eligible applicants will be ranked in order of their combined English and math scores and offered seats based on availability within their zoned district, according to the DOE's website.  Families offered a spot in a district G&T program "will be contacted" by September 3.  Those not being offered a spot "will be notified by mail."

You can download the application from the Department of Education's website or pick one up at your nearest borough enrollment office.

Current public school students can download an application here.

A separate application for non-public school students is available here.