Simply put, these programs are all darned good: Even the worst scoring program, smART writer from Chatsworth, Calif.

FORBES: Scratch pads

The number of students applying for the coveted spots has skyrocketed: Last year, nearly 5, 000 children qualified for a spot in a gifted and talented kindergarten program by scoring in the 90th percentile or above, more than double the total four years ago.

WSJ: Big Change in Gifted and Talented Testing