High achievers are students that have a strong motivation to perform well and succeed in school. These types of students usually enjoy school, get A's, memorize information easily, give complete and accurate answers, have advanced knowledge and are at the top of their class. They tend to be satisfied with their knowledge and skills, but they will receive new information with willingness and interest when required. High achievers are usually emotionally and socially on track, and they relate well to peers of their own age.
Gifted learners are students that have a strong motivation to learn and expand their intellectual capacity. They prefer self-directed learning, may or may not be motivated by grades, are excellent at making inferences and connections, pose complex questions, generate abstract concepts and are beyond their class. They are not satisfied with a straightforward answer, preferring to examine a problem's intricacies and underlying implications. They tend to be self-critical and are constantly seeking to expand their knowledge. Gifted learners may be emotionally and socially behind, on track or advanced. Most tend to connect with peers on the basis of shared intellectual interest rather than similarity in age.
Although high-achieving and gifted are two separate descriptors, this does not mean that they cannot occur together. Some students are both high-achieving and gifted learners. These students tend to do very well in school, receiving high grades and performing well on homework and exams. At the same time, they approach problems with innovation and complex reflection. Although their primary motivation is to learn, this desire tends to lend itself naturally toward strong performance and high achievement.
Some students are gifted, but not necessarily high achieving. In these instances, the student is usually unable to perform well because he is bored by the simplicity of the lesson or too distracted by his own abstract thoughts to demonstrate competency in tests or homework. Totally unmotivated by grades, this type of student thrives on intellectual challenge. Advanced courses, less structured (but more difficult) homework assignments and essay style exams often improve their academic performance.
Students that are high achieving but not necessarily gifted excel in almost any classroom setting. Since they are motivated strongly by grades, the benefit from strict grading standards that force them to expand their abilities. They learn well by memorizing and prefer straightforward problems and answers. They will become frustrated if given a problem that is too vague or abstract with no solid answer.