All Harding Kindergarten through third grade students participate in an enrichment cycle class designed to expose students to creative problem solving and critical thinking activities. In the fall of third grade students take Cogat testing to determine eligibility for gifted and talented services. Once the Cogat test results are viewed, additional data is collected which includes a writing sample, reading and math beginning-of-the-year tests, and report card information from the previous school year. Students in subsequent years can be recommended by classroom teachers. Parents of students who are identified as being eligible for gifted and talented programming at Harding Elementary School are notified by January of each school year.
Any student can apply for the David Brearley Middle High School Scholars’ Academy, Kenilworth's secondary gifted program. Student applications are reviewed and the strongest students are invited to participate in a placement test. Placement test results get combined with grades from previous years and the current year to form an overall score. The top scoring students gain acceptance to the Scholars’ Academy until all of the available seats are filled.
The Counseling Department works closely with AP and Honors teachers (which make up the Scholars' Academy) to help direct gifted students to the Academy and/or our various Honors/AP courses.
At David Brearley Middle-High School, Scholars' Academy applicants complete an entrance examination and student grades (current as well as prior year’s) are reviewed. Students must apply by December 1 of the current school year. The placement exam occurs on the 1st Saturday of December and placement decisions are made by the end of December.
Continuum of Services
All Kenilworth Public Schools K-3 students participate in enrichment cycle classes designed to expose students to rigorous critical thinking/ creative problem solving opportunities. Identified students in grades 3-6 receive gifted and talented services through twice weekly pull out classes through which students are provided with ongoing opportunities to practice critical thinking and creative problem solving through a variety of project based learning tasks.
The DBMHS Scholars’ Academy spans Grades 7 through 12 and allows for students to complete college-level courses during their Junior and Senior Years of high school.
Criteria
Criteria for Gifted and Talented services at Harding Elementary School include Cogat scores, guided reading levels, writing samples and teacher recommendation.
Scholars’ Academy criteria include the Scholars’ Academy placement exam, previous year’s grades, and current year’s grades. Students must apply by December 1 of the current school year. The placement exam occurs on the 1st Saturday of December and placement decisions are completed by the end of the month.