Children who are 5 years old by August 31, 2026 are eligible to enroll in kindergarten. However, children who turn 5 between September 1 and December 31, 2026 may be assessed to determine readiness for early entrance into kindergarten. The intent of early entrance is to identify highly capable children who miss the regular September 1 cutoff for kindergarten entrance. Early entry is specifically geared for children whose curriculum achievement level far exceeds the norm. In order to be considered for the early entrance exception, the child must exhibit advanced skills in language arts, mathematics, and in social, emotional and motor development as measured by tests administered by the Deer Valley Unified School District (DVUSD). Early entry testing procedures are as follows: Complete online registration for "Early Entry Kindergarten Readiness Test", which includes submitting an online payment of a $75.00 non-refundable test fee at the time of registration. At the time/date of your child's test appointment, the following items MUST be presented: Receipt for the $75.00 test registration Child's original birth certificate Failure to bring these items to the test appointment will result in your child not being tested. Registration for testing opens February 16, 2026 for the 2026-2027 school year Testing takes approximately 1.5 hours and involves basic readiness skills such as social, emotional, and education abilities. All testing is held at the DVUSD District Office: Kindergarten testing is in the Governing Board Room at our District Office, 20402 N. 15th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027 Test results will be e-mailed within two weeks of the test date. All results are final and re-testing is not permitted.

Get ready for a summer of curiosity and connection! Our summer camp offers gifted students the opportunity to dive into highly enriched activities alongside a community of intellectual peers. Every course is thoughtfully designed and led by expert gifted-trained teachers, ensuring your child is both challenged and inspired in an environment where learning feels like an adventure. It's more than a camp - it's a place for bright minds to SHINE together! Who Can Join: Gifted Students: Open to both DVUSD and non-DVUSD students. Siblings: Brothers and sisters of gifted attendees are also welcome. Registration Details: DVUSD Students: We will automatically verify your scores after enrollment. Non-DVUSD Students: Please email your gifted qualifying scores (Psychologist's report or CogAT) to giftedservices@dvusd.org for approval before registering. COURSES OFFERED: STEAM SHIP: CREATIVE PORT OF DISCOVERY! (Grades 1-3) All aboard the STEAM Ship! Set sail on a creative journey around the world as we dock at a new port each day and explore the wonders of science, technology, engineering, art, and math through hands-on projects and imaginative adventures. ISLAND ORIGAMI: THE ISLAND IN MY POCKET! (Grades 1-3) Pack your bags for a journey of the mind! This week, our young explorers will engineer an entire tropical world out of a single stack of paper. Using the art of 3D pop-up engineering, students will map uncharted territories. ARTISTIC WATERWAYS! (Grades 1-3) Exploring with Art. In this visual arts based course, students will use multiple media to examine the relationships between waterways and the people who rely on them. CALM SEAS, FOCUSED MIND! (Grades 1-3, 4-6, 7-8) Calm Seas, Focused Minds supports the affective needs of gifted students. This class provides a gentle blend of mindfulness practices, movement (yoga) and quiet focus activities. In an ocean-inspired environment, students will learn to recognize emotional “tides,” steady their bodies, and reset their minds. SEASIDE STUDIO VOYAGE! (Grades 4-6, 7-8) All aboard for creativity and fun! In our Cruising into Summer Camp: Games & Crafts Adventure, campers will set sail on an exciting journey packed with hands-on projects, team challenges, and high-energy games. SEA-NANIGANS & SIGHTSEEING! (Grades 4-6, 7-8) Throughout the session, campers “travel” to different global regions, studying water science, ecology, sustainability, geography, and cultural traditions—all while engaging in fine arts and performance-based projects. CRUISING INTO CODING! (Grades 4-6, 7-8) Set sail on the S.S. Intelligence! Using the latest Code.org curriculum, campers navigate the high seas of computer science. Chart a course from block-based to text-based coding while mastering algorithms and AI. BOTS AHOY! (Grades 4-6, 7-8) For this class we'll be using Legos, Sphero experiments, and 6th grade robots to create ocean scenes. LYRIC JOURNEY! (Grades 4-6, 7-8) Students will go on a voyage where inspiration can be found at every port! Each day of camp will represent a different "docking city" where students will learn and practice a new kind of poetic technique. Students will walk away with many self-authored poems and a fresh perspective of the world of poetry all around us. CAPTAIN CALCULATE! (Grades 4-6, 7-8) Set Sail on a Math-Adventure! Ready to discover your own high-seas journey? This summer, climb aboard as we design the ultimate interactive cruise vacation! Over five days, you’ll use math and tech to build a multimedia masterpiece. RECLAIMED REEF ART STUDIO: SAVE OUR SEAS! (Grades 4-6, 7-8) Let's set sail for an immersive, interdisciplinary course where gifted learners explore ocean ecosystems, human impact, and environmental advocacy through collaborative art. Students investigate real-world ocean challenges, then transform recycled materials into powerful 3D sea creature sculptures and a large-scale collaborative mural. MYTHICAL SEAS & LEGENDARY CREATURES! (Grades 4-6, 7-8) Embark on a legendary voyage across the world’s oceans—both real and imagined. In this interdisciplinary course, students explore myths, folklore, and historical tales of sea monsters, mermaids, water dragons, and heroic explorers from diverse cultures. EXTREME OCEAN SCIENCE: SURVIVING EARTH'S MOST DANGEROUS WATERS! (Grades 4-6, 7-8) During this class, we'll look into physics and Earth science of the ocean’s most extreme environments. Students would investigate deep-sea pressure, rogue waves, polar ice, and ocean storms through research and engineering challenges, discovering how life and technology survive in the planet’s harshest waters. Even more excitement is on deck. Stay tuned...... Breakfast and lunch included. Questions? Please email giftedservices@dvusd.org. **Our classes like to keep learning new moves, so the course rotation may occasionally change. Teachers are hired based on student registrations to ensure we have the right instructors for each class. Because staffing is arranged according to enrollment, refunds are not available.**

Get ready for a summer of curiosity and connection! Our summer camp offers gifted students the opportunity to dive into highly enriched activities alongside a community of intellectual peers. Every course is thoughtfully designed and led by expert gifted-trained teachers, ensuring your child is both challenged and inspired in an environment where learning feels like an adventure. It's more than a camp - it's a place for bright minds to SHINE together! Who Can Join: Gifted Students: Open to both DVUSD and non-DVUSD students. Siblings: Brothers and sisters of gifted attendees are also welcome. Registration Details: DVUSD Students: We will automatically verify your scores after enrollment. Non-DVUSD Students: Please email your gifted qualifying scores (Psychologist's report or CogAT) to giftedservices@dvusd.org for approval before registering. COURSES OFFERED: POSTERS FROM THE PARKS! (Grades 1-3) Step back in time to the golden age of travel! In this immersive art and ecology lab, campers become National Park illustrators. Following the iconic WPA style of the 1930s, students will dive into the geography, flora, and fauna of America’s most beautiful landscapes, and create their own vintage travel posters. MINI IMAGINEERS: DESIGN-A-RIDE LAB! (Grades 1-3) Step into the role of a theme park imagineer! Students will design and build their own model rides while exploring motion, force, and creative storytelling. From roller coasters to spinning adventures, campers will combine engineering and imagination to create attractions that thrill guests and solve fun design challenges. TRAILBLAZERS: PARKS EDITION! (Grades 1-3, 4-6, 7-8) Grab your passport and get ready to explore! In this fun-filled camp, students will “travel” to amazing parks through creative crafts and exciting games. Each day features park-inspired art projects, team challenges, and outdoor-themed activities that build teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills. PARADE DESIGN EXPERIENCE (Grades 1-3, 4-6, 7-8) Step into the magic behind theme park parades! Campers explore the history of parades—especially in theme parks—and discover how storytelling, design, animation, and engineering bring them to life. Students research iconic parades, then design and create their own float or parade attraction, ending the week with a spectacular showcase of imagination and creativity. PASSPORT STOP: CHINA! (Grades 4-6, 7-8) Travel to China without leaving camp! In this exciting adventure, campers will explore traditional Chinese games and activities: test your skills with the Chopstick Challenge, master the Chinese Yo-Yo (Diabolo), and try your footwork with Shuttlecock Kicking. Fun, laughter, and friendly competition await as you earn your stamp on this leg of your ‘Passport to the Parks’ journey! BUILD YOUR OWN THEME PARK! (Grades 4-6, 7-8) Spend a week designing the theme park of your dreams—centered on your interests, stories, and the things that make you unique. Students plan themed lands, sketch ride concepts, and create a scaled model of their park using recycled and craft materials. ART IN THE THEME PARK! (Grades 4-6, 7-8) Through the practice of design and creation, students will examine the importance of the visual realm in theme parks. They will explore numerous visual elements including ride design, food presentation, characters, and more. DIY LIVE SHOW! (Grades 4-6, 7-8) Students are tasked to create a live show and put it on for a specifically themed park. Students can choose their own groups and will complete research to find what a strong show idea would be (think Disney-style), work in small groups to create scripts, and rehearse. RIDE-TO-REEL CHALLENGE (Grades 4-6, 7-8) Create your own fictional theme park, design an original attraction, and invent a signature mascot guests will love. Next, produce a 30–60 second animated commercial trailer that builds excitement and sells the magic. The week ends with our Theme Park Premiere Showcase, where you’ll pitch your park like a real creative entrepreneur.It’s Shark Tank meets Pixar meets Imagineering. HIDDEN STORIES FROM THE AMUSEMENT PARK! (Grades 4-6, 7-8) Step into the role of environmental storytellers. In world-class theme parks, every detail — buildings, colors, music, pathways, props, even trash cans — helps tell a story. In this design-focused course, students explore how physical spaces communicate meaning without using words. BUILD-A-BOT THEME PARK! (Grades 4-6, 7-8) Get ready to combine creativity and robotics! Using LEGOs and 6th grade robots, campers will construct an entire amusement park full of rides, games, and excitement. The adventure doesn't stop here - more to come..... Breakfast and lunch included. Questions? Please email giftedservices@dvusd.org. **Our classes like to keep learning new moves, so the course rotation may occasionally change. Teachers are hired based on student registrations to ensure we have the right instructors for each class. Because staffing is arranged according to enrollment, refunds are not available.**