Altus Schools recognizes that students with high performance capabilities should be given the opportunity to develop individually, as far as each student's ability and motivation will allow. In order to provide for the special needs of gifted and talented students, programming is offered in which their potential is encouraged, challenged, and allowed to grow.

Multi-criteria evaluation procedures are used to identify and place academically and visually talented students in the Enriched Studies program. Academically gifted students must have scored at the 97th percentile on a national standardized test of achievement or intelligence to qualify for placement. Visually talented students are identified through testing and evaluation of work samples. Identification and placement is an ongoing process, from kindergarten through the twelfth grade.

Many programming options are available for gifted students. The Enriched Studies program provides elementary through fourth-grade pupils with advanced studies at their schools, under the supervision of a certified teacher. Fifth and sixth-grade students are able to enroll in an Enriched Studies course at Altus Intermediate School, receiving advanced instruction every day. Junior high and high school students are encouraged to enroll in accelerated classes, including Advanced Placement (AP) and Pre-AP courses, which are modified in depth, breadth, and pace. 20 AP courses are offered at the high school level, covering everything from physics and biology, to French and government. Visually talented students are given opportunities for training by art instructors and professional artists.