Gifted Assessments in Calgary, AB

Westmount Charter Application Deadlines (2026-2027 school year) - Now closed

Deadlines for 2027-2028 school year are not published yet, but will follow similar timelines

For Kindergarten through Grade 4 students, the application deadline for the 2026-2027 school year is November 28 2025 at 9:00am.It is recommended that you schedule your assessment between August and mid-November to ensure the assessment report can be completed prior to the application deadline.

For students entering Grades 5 through 12, the application deadline for the 2026-2027 school year is January 30, 2026 at 4:00pm.It is recommended that you schedule your assessment between October and mid-January to ensure the assessment and report can be completed prior to the application deadline.

Gifted Assessments at Embark Psychology

At Embark Psychology, we are highly experienced in providing gifted assessments in Calgary, AB to help families understand their child’s cognitive strengths and unique learning needs. Our assessments are often used to support applications to Westmount Charter School, the CBE GATE program, or to guide enrichment strategies in a child’s current school.

A gifted assessment offers clarity about how your child learns and where they may need additional challenge or support. Whether you’re applying to a specialized program or simply seeking insight into your child’s abilities, our Calgary-based gifted assessment services provide families with valuable information, clear results, and practical next steps. Below you will find information to guide you from start to finish:

Westmount Charter School Deadlines
What is Giftedness?
Signs to Look For
What the Assessment Can Do for You
School Entry Requirements
Assessment Process & Cost
FAQs
Link to Resources
Contact Us

So, what is Giftedness?

Giftedness refers to advanced cognitive abilities that go beyond what’s typical for a child’s age. Gifted children often learn faster, think more deeply, and show exceptional creativity or problem-solving skills. They may also excel in academic subjects. While these strengths can be exciting, they may also come with unique social, emotional, or learning needs—making understanding their unique profile an important step in supporting them.

Gifted students have intellectual abilities (also called an IQ) of at least 130. Only 2.2% of the world falls within this bracket - so being gifted is a true gift (so to speak!). However, Westmount Charter School allows a range, and will accept applications of a child’s IQ at 125 or above.

Signs to Look for

Gifted Children often:

Learn quickly and grasp new ideas easily
Have a strong vocabulary and ask thoughtful questions
Show deep curiosity
Have a strong memory
Think creatively or abstractly
Seek out challenges and prefer complex tasks
Enjoy the company of older children or adults
Set high standards for themselves and may struggle with perfectionism

Not every gifted child shows ALL of these traits, but if many of them sound familiar, an assessment can help clarify if your child is gifted and how to help them thrive!

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Does this sound like your child?

Book online to find out!

What an Assessment can Do for You

Uncover hidden strengths: Our cognitive assessment reveal more than just IQ - it provides insight into areas like reasoning, verbal understanding, memory, and processing speed.

Unlock personalized educational paths: With clear results, families and educators can create tailored learning plans. This can include enrichment in their current classroom, acceleration, or applying to specialized programs like Westmount Charter School or the CBE GATE program.
Highlight emotional needs: Gifted children sometimes face perfectionism, social isolation, or emotional challenges. Our evaluation helps families address these alongside academic strengths.
Spot twice-exceptional (2e) profiles: Some children show both exceptional abilities and learning differences. Early identification helps ensure they receive both the support and stimulation they need.
Boost confidence & advocacy: Discovering your child’s cognitive strengths builds their self-esteem and gives you the tools to advocate effectively for their learning needs.

Gifted Schools in Calgary

Westmount Charter School

Westmount Charter will only accept WPPSI -IV (ages 2-7), WISC-V (ages 6-16), or Stanford Binet-5 (ages 2-85). The WPPSI and WISC are the preferred tests. A full scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) and general ability index (GAI) must be included in the report.

Application Requirements for Westmount Charter School

A cognitive assessment which shows an IQ (FSIQ and/or GAI) of 125+ for your child
How Long is it Valid for?
- The WPPSI-IV assessment must be completed within 1-2 years of application
- How Current? The WISC-V or SB-5 assessments can be completed within the last 3-5 years before application
Applicants will be selected for interviews, Activity-Based Observations (grades 1-2), and will be asked to complete the school’s questionnaires
For more detailed information about admission requirements (beyond the assessment) click here.

GATE Program (CBE)

CBE GATE Program is available for students in grades 4-12: the WISC-V, SB-5 or Woodcock-Johnson IV are accepted for cognitive tests. The WIAT-III/ WIAT-IV, KTEA-3 or Woodcock Johnson-IV Achievement are accepted for academic tests.

Application Requirements for the GATE Program at CBE

A Cognitive AND academic test are required
The child must have an IQ (FSIQ and/or GAI) of 130+
How Long is it Valid for?
- The cognitive test must be completed within 3 years of the referral AND completed after the child is 7 years old. If the test was completed before 7 years old, an updated test is required.
- The academic test must be completed with 1 year of the referral.
Parents share the report with their current school to create an Individual Program Plan (IPP) for their child. An IPP is used for enrichment in the current classroom first, before the school can initiate their internal referral process to the GATE program
For more detailed information about admission requirements (beyond the assessment) click here.

Assessment Process: Steps & Cost

Westmount Charter School Application: $1200 (*$720 without report)

CBE GATE Program Application: $1920 (*$720 without report)

Steps Include:

Intake Meeting
We meet with you and your child to learn about their development, learning style, and interests. (~30 minutes)
Testing
Your child completes testing one-to-one with the clinician. We take fun breaks as needed! This can be booked in 1 session (~2 hours) or 2 half sessions (~ 1 hour each)
Academic
ONLY needed for CBE GATE. Academic testing can be booked for GATE applications (~ 2 hours)
Feedback Meeting
We go over results together and explain what it all means. You’ll leave with a clearer picture of your child’s abilities and next steps. (~30 minutes)
Written Report (optional)
You can choose to add a report for schools, program applications or your own records (optional) for $480, which we will deliver within 2 weeks. **If the child does not meet criteria for giftedness, families can opt out of the report as a cost saving option and pay a reduced fee of $720.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. A gifted assessment is required for admission to Westmount Charter School. Westmount requires an individually administered cognitive assessment in English, completed by a psychologist. They require a Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) and/or General Ability Index (GAI). We complete gifted assessments in Calgary that meet Westmount Charter application requirements and help families understand next steps.
Alberta Education requires an IQ of 130+ to be considered a gifted learner.
Westmount Charter allows a range (confidence interval) of -/+ 5, so they will accept applications of a child’s IQ at 125 or above.
CBE GATE requires an IQ of 130+, but they do not require specific academic scores. Academic scores are a reflection of their exposure to the information.
The CBE GATE program requires BOTH a cognitive assessment and academic testing from a standardized assessment to support program eligibility and educational planning. We tailor testing to current GATE requirements and your child’s age.
CBE GATE program also requires you to share the report with your child’s current school to create an IPP. Enrichment in their current classroom must be attempted and found to be insufficient for their needs before the school initiates their own internal referral system.
Some signs of giftedness include
- Rapid learning and grasping new ideas easily, with little repetition
- Strong vocabulary with thoughtful questions
- Shows a deep curiosity
- Strong memory
- Intense interests (a deep dive)
- Think creatively or abstractly
- Seeks out challenges and prefer complex tasks
- May enjoy the company of older children or adults
- Set high standards for themselves and may struggle with perfectionism
While these signs can suggest giftedness, a formal gifted assessment provides clearer answers about your child’s learning profile and strengths.
No! You can inquire and self-apply for an assessment. A referral from a doctor, school or other setting is not required.
Westmount accepts student applications between September - November.
However, the earlier you complete the process, the better! It becomes very busy end of September to the end of November. There is a risk of no availability for appointments the closer you get to the deadline. Make sure you allow time for the report to be completed!
Ass
Embark Psychology uses the only test measures allowed by Westmount Charter & CBE GATE.
We follow the report structure, scores, and required phrasing required by schools.
We will provide the report to you within 2 weeks after your last appointment date. **If your appointment if close to the deadline, we always guarantee the report will be ready in time.
Gifted testing can be completed with a range of ages, depending on your goal for the assessment. However, age 4+ provides a fuller understanding of of reasoning skills, memory, and processing speed
- Ages 2:6–3:11 — The WPPSI can be used, though results provide more limited information and may be less stable for long-term educational planning.
- Ages 4:0–7:7 — The WPPSI provides a fuller understanding of reasoning, memory, and processing speed and is often an ideal time for gifted testing.
- Ages 6:0–16:11 — The WISC is commonly used for school-aged children and is widely accepted for programs such as Westmount Charter School and the CBE GATE program.
For Westmount
You can schedule it 2 different ways
- 1 full appointment (3 hours) OR
- 2 half sessions (1.5 hours each)
Time is allocated for: 30 minutes parent intake, 2 hours child testing, 30 minutes feedback. If you split the testing into 2 sessions, the results will be given at the end of the second session.
Westmount Charter School
Westmount Charter School expects recent cognitive testing, typically completed within the past two years before application. Requirements may change over time, so families are encouraged to confirm current expectations directly with Westmount Charter School.

CBE GATE
The cognitive assessment must be completed within 3 years of the referral for GATE placement and after age 7. If testing was completed before age 7, updated testing is required. Academic testing must generally be completed within 1 year of referral.

Gifted Resources

Click here to be taken to our full page of resources to support gifted learners and their families

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