TWIN FALLS - Fourth-graders are vying for one of about 25 openings in the community's first magnet school, the first full-time program for talented and gifted students.

Two tests and a lengthy screening process will determine which students will get in.

The magnet school will be tested by the Twin Falls School District during the coming school year as a pilot program for talented and gifted students. District officials say the program's success will depend on the interest expressed by parents and students.

"We have visited similar (magnet) schools in Meridian and Boise, and really, it's kind of a thing that is taking place all over," said Ted Popplewell, director of elementary programs. "The goal is to challenge the kids at their individual levels."

The magnet school, which does not yet have a name, will be held in a classroom at Morningside Elementary School. The school will begin on Aug. 28 with about 25 fourth-graders.

Marti Pike, the district's gifted-and-talented facilitator, said the program will emphasize problem-solving and the application of concepts.

Although the district has offered advanced courses online and other conventional methods, this will be the first full-time program.

District officials say the challenge has been to find ways to fund the school.

Wiley Dobbs, district superintendent, said the district will reduce costs by using an existing classroom, as well as some state funding to hire a certified gifted and talented teacher.

"The tendency in America is to not put resources into talented and gifted programs," he said. "And that makes it hard to help students make progress when they are on a more advanced level."

The district hopes to expand the magnet school to include the fifth and sixth-grades, depending on the level of interest.

"They probably don't get the fair share of attention that they really need," Popplewell said. "We have all the programs in place for struggling students, but we have very little for students on the other end of the scale."

Times-News writer Joshua Palmer covers education. He can be reached at jpalmer@magicvalley.com or at (208) 420-0526.