Gifted and Talented Program

According to the National Association for Gifted Children:

Students with gifts and talents perform or have the capability to perform at higher levels compared to others of the same age, experience, and environment in one or more domains. They require modification(s) to their educational experience(s) to learn and realize their potential.

Gifted and Talented Program Policies & Procedures

How Do I Recommend Someone for the Program?

A teacher, administrator, counselor, parent, peer, self, or any other person having reason to believe that the student should be identified as gifted or talented may refer a student. The person initiating the referral shall sign the referral form and date it. School personnel shall collect the data required to satisfy the initial referral criteria.

The nomination form is available below. Please sign and return it in a sealed envelope to the school.

What are the Components of the Gifted and Talented Program?

To accomplish its philosophy, the East Orange School District’s Gifted Program (G/T) will provide a continuum of services for the exceptional learner, designed to address specific needs and levels of giftedness from kindergarten through 12th grade.

For all G/T Students: Differentiated Instruction/Renzulli Learning:

Effective differentiated instruction will be available in the general education classroom to ensure that all students meet their highest potential. Differentiation will consist of carefully planned, coordinated learning experiences in ELA, math, social studies, and science that extend the core curriculum strategies of enrichment and integrate instructional strategies that engage learners at appropriate levels of challenge. In addition, identified students will have access to Renzulli Learning. Renzulli Learning is an interactive online system that provides a personalized learning environment for students, designed to increase engagement and achieve higher academic performance. Renzulli Learning supports strength-based personalized learning in all subjects

Gifted and Talented Program By Grade Level

For Kindergarten through Grade 5:

Students identified as gifted learners in the primary grades will receive enrichment programming in the general education classroom with extensions to the classroom curriculum. Extensions will include adjustments to the curriculum for students who have already mastered grade-level material that enhance critical and creative thinking, logical reasoning, and problem-solving strategies through project-based learning.

For Grades 6 through 8:

Students identified as advanced learners in the middle grades will receive academic instruction at the honors level in all four major content areas: English Language Arts, math, science, and social studies. The honors program provides an acceleration of curriculum and instructional pacing to those who have already mastered grade-level content, as well as the opportunity to enroll in advanced courses earlier in their middle school career. In honors courses, we match the level and complexity of the curriculum with the readiness and motivation of the advanced learner.

For Grades 9 through 12:

Students identified as advanced learners in secondary grades will receive academic instruction at the honors and/or advanced placement level in all major content areas and in specialized courses as identified in the East Orange High School Program of Study. Advanced coursework affords students the opportunity to master the accelerated curriculum as well as earn college credits through dual enrollment.

Gifted Parent Overview

GT Parent Overview Newsletter

EOSD Renzulli Learning Guide for Students

Upcoming Event (March 4, 2025 @6pm)

Join us for a special parent session dedicated to our Gifted and Talented Program! Discover how our program nurtures the unique abilities of our advanced learners and supports their academic growth.

***We'll also introduce the Renzulli Learning System, an innovative software program designed to enhance personalized learning experiences. Learn how it helps students explore their interests, develop critical thinking skills, and engage with challenging material.

Join via Zoom using link below:

https://tinyurl.com/feniellozoom

Upcoming Events (March 11, 2025 @6pm)