REACH (Gifted and Talented)

REACH Overview

REACH ELA

REACH ELA is an enrichment program extending grade-level standards and skills. In Primary Grades (K-2), classroom teachers provide enrichment opportunities and differentiated curricular resources. In grades 3-5, identified students meet with a REACH teacher during the Acceleration block. In middle school, students enroll in a REACH English course in which students utilizing complex texts and tasks while employing grade-level standards and skills. Myriad opportunities for enrichment are available to students at York High School. Options include, but are not limited to Honors, Advanced Placement^© (AP^©), and Advance College Project (ACP) courses.

REACH Math

In Primary Grades (K-2), classroom teachers provide enrichment opportunities and differentiated curricular resources. REACH Math is an accelerated program beginning in Grade 3 through which students receive a compacted curriculum resulting in students working on above-grade-level content. REACH Math in middle school is a double-accelerated pathway covering through the equivalent of high school Geometry in Grade 8. Myriad opportunities for enrichment and acceleration are available to students at York High School. Options include, but are not limited to Honors, Advanced Placement^© (AP^©), and Advance College Project (ACP) courses.

ELA Enrichment

The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) defines enrichment as "activities that add or go beyond the existing curriculum. They may occur in the classroom or in a separate setting, such as a pull-out program."

The classroom teacher is the primary source of enrichment, providing extension opportunities for all students. S/he works with flexible groups of students who demonstrate through classroom performance the need for learning extensions in ELA. REACH teachers support classroom teachers with differentiating instruction and developing rigorous activities to meet children’s learning needs.

The REACH program provides various academic enhancements based on the age and academic needs of students. REACH ELA (grades 3-5) and REACH English (grades 6-8) are enrichment programs that augment grade-level standards and promote critical and creative thinking.

*Elementary REACH ELA meets during the Acceleration Block.

Elementary School

Enrichment (K - Grade 2)

REACH teachers support early elementary teachers with instructional strategies and resources to help enhance curriculum in Kindergarten through Grade 2. The ELA curriculum is based in the respective grade-level ELA Common Core State Standards.

REACH ELA (Grades 3-5)

Students in REACH ELA meet for 30 minutes daily, during the Acceleration Block and work directly with the REACH teacher. REACH ELA augments grade-level standards using above-grade-level texts and requiring students to complete complex tasks. 

Middle School

REACH English (Grades 6-8)

REACH English is a middle school course that meets daily. REACH English enhances grade-level standards by utilizing resources and materials that are above grade level in content and complexity. 

High School

Honors English

Honors English prepares students for Advanced Placement^© (AP^©) English. Honors English courses require students to demonstrate a sophisticated ability to read and analyze texts. Expectations of Honors-level students include analysis of more than one text concurrently as well as quicker acquisition of skill targets or objectives, especially in the area of writing.

Advanced Placement^© (AP^©) English

Advanced Placement^© (AP^©) English courses expose students to the type of scholarly environment and rigor that is comparable to an introductory college course.  Students are strongly encouraged to take the AP^© exam in spring.

Advance College Project (ACP) English

The Advance College Project (ACP) at Elmhurst District 205 is a partnership with Indiana University in which students may enroll in a college-credit bearing course while in high school. Students receive an Indiana University transcript upon completion of their high school academic career. 

Math Enrichment

The classroom teacher is the primary source of mathematics enrichment, providing extension opportunities for all students. S/he may work with flexible groups of students who demonstrate, through classroom performance, the need for learning extensions in mathematics. REACH teachers support classroom teachers with differentiating instruction and developing rigorous activities to meet students' learning needs.

Math Acceleration

Acceleration, as defined by the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), is "a strategy of progressing through education at rates faster or ages younger than the norm." 

Beginning in Grade 3, REACH Mathematics is an accelerated program in which standards are compacted, resulting in students covering more content than is typically covered in a school year. This leads to students completing curriculum ahead of grade-level standards.

*Math extension is accomplished through enrichment provided by the classroom teacher.

¹This is a general overview of the math opportunities. Additional courses can be found here.

Elementary School

Enrichment (K - Grade 2)

REACH teachers support early elementary teachers with instructional strategies and resources to help enhance mathematics curriculum in Kindergarten through Grade 2.

REACH Mathematics (Grades 3-5)

REACH Mathematics is a compacted and accelerated course, meeting daily during the student's regularly scheduled Mathematics block. REACH Mathematics in elementary school covers the equivalent of 5 years of mathematics content in three years, using above-grade-level resources and requiring students to complete complex tasks. Students successfully completing REACH Mathematics in elementary school are "double-accelerated" in the area of math and prepared to enroll in PreAlgebra in Grade 6.

Middle School

Single-Accelerated Mathematics

A single-accelerated mathematics pathway begins with PreAlgebra in Grade 7. Students in single-accelerated math are prepared for Algebra in Grade 8. This pathway leads students to Advanced Placement (AP^©) Calculus in Grade 12.

Double-Accelerated (REACH) Mathematics

The double-accelerated mathematics pathway begins with PreAlgebra, or the equivalent of Grade 8 mathematics standards, in Grade 6. Students identified for PreAlgebra demonstrate mastery of Grade 7 math content prior to their 6th grade year. Students in double-accelerated math are prepared for Algebra in Grade 7 and Geometry in Grade 8. This pathway leads students to Advanced Placement^© (AP^©) Calculus in Grade 11, and Advanced College Project (ACP) mathematics in Grade 12.

High School

Honors Mathematics

Honors-level mathematics courses are rigorous and require students to demonstrate a sophisticated ability to approach and solve rich mathematics problems. Honors-level mathematics prepares students for Advanced Placement^© (AP^©) Math courses.

Advanced Placement (AP^©) Mathematics

Advanced Placement^© (AP^©) Mathematics courses expose students to the type of scholarly environment and rigor that is comparable to an introductory college course.  Students are strongly encouraged to take the AP^© exam in spring.

Advanced College Project (ACP) Mathematics

ACP is a partnership between Elmhurst District 205 and Indiana University (IU) in which students are dually enrolled in college coursework while in high school. Students earn college credit for completed ACP courses and receive an Indiana University transcript at the conclusion of their high school academic career. ACP Math courses are currently in development.

For more information about the high school mathematics program, visit the York Math Department website.

Withdrawal & Exit

A parent/guardian wishing to withdraw her/his child from REACH or decline REACH services must contact their building principal. 

In the event that a student exhibits significant struggle in class and/or is earning a grade below a C, a Withdrawal Request may be submitted by a teacher or administrator. This may be due to academic difficulty, and/or other issues, such as social-emotional or behavioral challenges, that impact the student's learning. Submission of a Withdrawal Request does not immediately result in a student's exit from the program, and initiates the following:

1. The principal contacts a parent/guardian to inform them of the student's difficulty and families are invited for a conference.
2. A Learning Plan is devised for the student and effective for a predetermined amount of time, typically 4-6 weeks.
3. Students who are successful following the Learning Plan continue in the relevant course(s). Students who are not successful with the Learning Plan may be exited from the respective placement.
4. Decisions to exit students are made on a case-by-case basis and communicated to families by the principal.

Students who are exited from REACH may be considered for placement at a later time and when they demonstrate need for extension or acceleration.

Moving to REACH ELA

REACH ELA courses offer extension of grade-level content by utilizing complex and higher-level texts and tasks. Students identified for REACH ELA have demonstrated, through multiple measures, that they are ready for an enriched ELA curriculum.

Students moving from grade level to REACH ELA are encouraged to spend time over the summer reading and writing to maintain skills developed throughout the year in literacy.

REACH Math Transition

REACH Math courses offer fast-paced math instruction, and are targeted for students who learn math quickly with less repetition. Students identified for REACH Math have demonstrated, through multiple measures, that they are ready to make the transition to an accelerated and above-grade-level math course.

Students moving from grade level to REACH Math are encouraged to spend time over the summer reviewing and solidifying math skills, particularly if they are bypassing curriculum. For example, students moving from Grade 4 Math (CCSS 4) to Grade 5 REACH Math (CCSS 6 & 7) bypass direct instruction in the equivalent of Grade 5 Math (CCSS 5). 

To help students to prepare for the transition to an accelerated math course, they are encouraged to participate in Summer Bridge Math.

Summer Bridge Math

Summer Bridge Math is strongly encouraged for students transitioning to accelerated math, as they may not have the opportunity to receive direct instruction in some topics.

Students transitioning to an accelerated math course are provided the opportunity to enroll in a Summer Bridge Math course that will be set up by Elmhurst District 205. The course is largely virtual (online) and uses Khan Academy as a resource. Students are enrolled in the appropriate level and parents may monitor their child's progress.

Summer Bridge Math formally runs during June and July. Students eligible for Summer Bridge Math are automatically enrolled and receive instructions on accessing the course via email in late May/early June. Exact dates are provided to participants in this communication.

REACH Parent Group

The REACH subcommittee of the Elmhurst Public Schools PTA provides encouragement and support for parents through networking and special presentations. Further information is available by contacting a school's PTA representative.

The REACH Parent Group website contains newsletters and information for parents.

CONTESTS

Regeneron Science Talent Search

The Society for Science & the Public offers promising high school students a prestigious science and math competition, receiving more than $1 million in awards from Intel Corporation.

BioGENEius Challenge

High school students can be entered into a competition for the most original biotechnology research. State winners are invited to compete nationally.

Discovery 3M Young Scientists Challenge

Students in Grades 6-8 can upload a short video on a science topic of their choice for a chance to win $25,000. With a deep background covering many STEM subjects, Science Olympiad students are particularly encouraged to enter.

Scholarship Opportunities

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholars Program

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholars Program nurtures exceptionally high performing students across the country who have demonstrated they have the potential to excel. The Foundation provides a variety of internships, summer programs, distance learning courses, personal tutors, and access to technology, as needed, as students progress through their secondary academic career. In addition to financial support, scholars receive mentoring from a skilled educational adviser who works with the student and his or her family to construct a tailored individualized educational program. Students must be in seventh grade (rising eight graders) and need to submit an application to be considered. The Foundation seeks to provide high performing students who have financial need with the one of the most generous scholarships currently available.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholars Program application opens each year in February and closes in mid-April.