Is My Child Gifted? Why It Matters for Hawai‘i Families

Over the past few weeks, I've been having conversations with families across Oahu—some born and raised here, others recent transplants—and a common question keeps coming up: "Is my child gifted?"

It's not always an easy question to answer. Giftedness isn't just about test scores or being "ahead" in math. It's a distinct way of experiencing the world—marked by intense curiosity, deep emotional engagement, rapid learning, and often asynchronous development. A child might read at a high school level but struggle socially with peers their own age. They might ask questions that leave adults searching for answers, or become so absorbed in a topic that they lose track of time entirely.

If that sounds like your child, you're not alone. And you're not imagining it.

Here's the reality: there are no dedicated gifted education options on Oahu. The schools that serve our community well in many ways simply weren't built to meet the specific needs of gifted learners. These kids need more than enrichment or acceleration—they need an environment where their intensity is understood, their questions are welcomed, and their asynchronous development is supported with care and expertise.

That's exactly what we're building at Tradewinds.

Families often ask how we identify giftedness. There isn’t just one path, and we aim to be both clear and compassionate.

• A common benchmark is an IQ score of 130 or higher on a standardized measure. That’s one valid indicator, not a gate.
• We also consider multiple sources of evidence: advanced academic performance, rapid learning, intense and specific interests, asynchronous development, educator observations, and work samples.
• If your child has prior testing, great—that will speed up your application process. If not, we’re happy to answer questions and help families get access to providers that conduct these types of assessments.
• Our goal is fit and support, not labels. Assessment helps us tailor the environment so kids thrive.

Gifted education isn't about elitism—it's about fit. Just as a child with dyslexia deserves specialized support, so does a child whose brain works faster, deeper, or differently than the standard curriculum assumes. Without that support, gifted kids often disengage, underperform, or worse—they learn to hide who they are.

At Tradewinds, our focus is on creating a learning environment designed specifically for gifted learners: inquiry-driven, interdisciplinary, emotionally responsive, and rooted in real community. A place where kids can go deep into what fascinates them, learn alongside true intellectual peers, and feel seen for who they really are.

I'd love to hear from you:

• Does your child show signs of giftedness? What does that look like in your home?
• What would an ideal gifted school do for your child that they're not getting now?

Your answers help us shape what we're building—and ensure it truly serves the families who need it most.

Mahalo for being part of this journey from the beginning.