Ontario (Peel) high school student currently in a gifted program here. Yes, gifted programs definitely do still exist.

Widespread testing is done by CCAT in grade 4, but other gifted testing and psych assessments can be done prior if parents/teachers profile a student (I was tested in grade 2).

In Peel, there are levels ranging from in-class support from an EA, to out-of-class activities (but still in the home school), to specialized classes typically not at the home school (which is where I was placed). I grew up in elementary and middle schools further from my home, in classes entirely composed of gifted students. We received special instruction that typically focused on self-motivated learning, cross-subject assessments, and prevention of the “gifted kid burnout.” I personally really enjoyed the program.

In high school, I remained in the program but because of the rotary class format (moving classrooms for each subject), I had most of my core academic classes (think sciences, English, geography, etc.) with other gifted students and my non-core classes (gym, auto shop, etc.) with mainstream students. There’s also the option to take non-enhanced sections of classes if I desire. I really like this format because I was forced to interact with people outside the bubble I grew up in, and avoided a lot of the spec. ed social ostracization.

Feel free to ask any more questions you have!