About Us

Location -

We are proud to be part of The Gifted Collective! Located at 40th St & Greenway, which is just east of the 51 Freeway.

Our Vision

Our school is a small, independent community of professionals that meet the various needs of gifted, neurodivergent and curious learners. We are a community of inclusive, passionate teachers that encourage a passion for learning that is free from bureaucracy, incessant test taking, and forced curriculum that rarely ever meets the needs of divergent learners. Our teachers are lifelong learners themselves; they believe in supporting the whole child and creating a space free from disruptions that don’t support the learning process. Our vision is that children who learn with us will look forward to school and will want to meet the challenges presented with passion and excitement!

Gifted Teaching Philosophy

Gifted teaching is good teaching! It is getting to know the whole child and supporting them on their learning path. Not all children in a class are at the same level, have the same background knowledge, strengths, areas of struggle, desires, etc. We differentiate curriculum and instruction to meet the needs of the child. We can do this successfully because we have highly skilled, experienced, qualified, caring teachers, who are used to thinking out of the box, teaching multiple levels, and meeting a variety of needs. The teachers are supported as the professionals they are, and have a small class size as well as the flexibility and autonomy to support the children in their care.

We encourage children to take ownership of their learning, accelerate or go deep into curriculum that interests them, make connections, build on concepts and research their passions. Teachers guide them through the standards and learning goals, but allow and encourage children to have input not only in how they want to learn, but in many cases, what they learn.

See more about our teachers.

Private School Classification -

Gifted Microschool is a private school and can not take every family who applies for enrollment. We are looking for children who will be a good fit with our practices and philosophy, and we have an enrollment process to help ensure we are a good fit for your child and family.

Teachers & Staff

We are a school built by gifted-trained teachers who specialize in building environments where curious children can flourish. The Head of School selects our teachers based on their ability to not only show mastery of gifted pedagogy but also genuinely care for their children's educational/intellectual progress and growth. We have collaborated with many gifted teachers to build our concept. We will hire only the best teachers we can find.

We come from the school system and know what works, what does not work, and how learning should be. The system we are creating takes what we have learned but frees our educators from rigid systems and bureaucratic structures that many times take the enjoyment out of education (both for the teacher and the student).

Our goal is to find the best teachers and support them. Our teachers are professionals who know how to support gifted and curious learners. They have the experience and passion to make a difference in the lives of children, and we empower and support them to do what is best for our children. We hand select our staff because they are who we would want to educate our children.

Meet the Team

Mrs. Kim Miller, M.Ed - Microschool Teacher

Kim Miller began her journey in education as a volunteer mom and school PTO president when her gifted sons entered kindergarten. She served as the school’s PTO president and school PTO Secretary for many years. In 2009 Mrs. Miller became a “Drama Mama” when her oldest son began his high school theater journey. She remained in this capacity until her youngest son graduated in 2015. She was responsible for organizing events and meals for the actors and assisted with building the set and was the photographer for the club.

Through all of this, Mrs. Miller dreamed of being a teacher and specifically working with gifted students as she felt that these students’ needs were not easily being met. Mrs. Miller attended college and graduated with a BS in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology in 2012. She then continued classes to attain her Master’s degree in Elementary Education and then went on to earn a second Master’s degree, in Gifted education, in 2017.

Mrs. Miller began her teaching career as a gifted teacher in New Mexico in 2015, where she worked on the Navajo Reservation for two years. This was her dream job. She loved working on the reservation and learned so much about the Navajo culture. Moving to Arizona in 2017 to be with her family, Mrs. Miller taught middle school Science for a year and then as the gifted teacher for American Leadership Academy in Queen Creek for the past 6 years. There, Mrs. Miller coordinated the School Spelling Bee, Book Battles, and gifted identification testing. Her students have written and performed plays, and in 2024 her 6th grade students were recognized by the Rube Goldberg Association for their unique take on a Rube Goldberg Machine and introduction. She loves to bring out her students' critical thinking, problem solving and creative skills through activities and lessons such as student written plays, STEAM projects, and project-based learning.

Credentials -

Full Gifted Endorsement
Master’s Degree in Elementary Education, Grand Canyon University
Master’s Degree in Gifted Education, Grand Canyon University
Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, Ashford University
- Minor in Psychology
Arizona Teaching Certificate & Endorsements
- Gifted PreK-12
- Elementary Education

Adam C. Laningham, M.Ed. - Founder & Lead Teacher

Adam Laningham, author of Gifted Children & How Trauma Impacts Them, and the From Struggling to Thriving Series, has over 20 years of experience in the field of education. Adam was recognized as the Arizona Gifted Teacher of the Year, he has taught at several schools in multiple grade levels, created and facilitated numerous gifted programs, and served as a district manager coordinating programs for over 6000 gifted students.

Adam is currently the President of SENG - Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted, serves on the Advisory Board for the Arizona Association for Gifted & Talented, is a founding member of Callisto (supporting gifted foster youth), and an advisor for CogAT Riverside Insights. As founder and owner of Bright Child AZ and The Gifted Collective, Adam is an international speaker, consultant, and gifted advocate.