Challenge Program

Gifted individuals are those who demonstrate outstanding levels of aptitude (defined as an exceptional ability to reason and learn) or competence (documented performance or achievement in top 10% or rarer) in one or more domains. Domains include any structured area of activity with its own symbol system (e.g., mathematics, music, language) and/or set of sensorimotor skills (e.g., painting, dance, sports).

– National Association For Gifted Children

Vision Statement

The Greater Victoria School District Challenge Program serves the unique needs of gifted, creative, and talented learners by creating a community which seeks to maximize student opportunities for enrichment, self-direction, independence, synergetic interaction and emotional well being in a secure, mentoring atmosphere. The program will foster the development of individual excellence through differentiated educational experiences.

Challenge Program at Mount Douglas

“If you want to go fast go alone; if you want to go far go together.” 

African Proverb

The Mount Douglas Secondary Challenge Program offers gifted, creative, and talented students an educational program consistent with their abilities which aims to prepare them for post secondary education and the world at large. The program makes every attempt to ensure that students become knowledgeable and skilled in “core areas” of instruction. Acquisition of knowledge is seen as a cornerstone of the program; however, students do not learn in a rote manner but are expected, instead, to develop an understanding of relationships within knowledge, one of the hallmarks of an educated individual. Methods of instruction are also aimed at the development of higher order thinking skills. Activities and assignments routinely require students to analyze, synthesize or evaluate material covered. Similarly, students are asked to make logical extensions or to establish and justify conclusions.

Application Form: Challenge Program Information Application Mount Doug 2024-25   

Teacher Evaluation Form 2024/25 : Teacher Evaluation Form 2024-2025

Any inquires or questions please contact our Challenge Program Coordinator, Ted Meldrum at tmeldrum@sd61.bc.ca.

Challenge Sept 2023 parent orientation slideshow

4C Program at Esquimalt 

Esquimalt High School has been home to the 4C Program since the program was developed here in 1979. Please visit the website for Esquimalt High School for more information.