A gifted and talented student is a child or youth who demonstrates, or shows the potential to demonstrate, exceptionally high levels of achievement when compared to peers of the same age, experience, or environment.  These students exhibit advanced performance capabilities in intellectual, creative, or artistic areas; demonstrate an unusual capacity for leadership; or excel in a specific academic field, as defined by the Texas Education Code (§29.121).

Intellectual:  The intellectually gifted possess superior intelligence, with potential or demonstrated accomplishments in several fields of study and even the ability to perform complex mental tasks.
Creative:  Creative ability includes possessing outstanding imagination, thinking ability, and innovative reasoning ability. These abilities may be expressed in problem solving and/or high attainment in original thinking or innovative reasoning.
Artistic:  A student can be said to be artistically gifted if he/she possesses outstanding ability in the visual and performing arts.
Leadership:  Gifted leaders possess the natural ability to influence others. They possess skill with interpersonal relationships demonstrated by outstanding ability in such activities as student government.