What Enrichment Programs are available?

 

The REACH Program RCS Scholars Challenge Math
The REACH program is for students of high academic ability in one or a variety of areas.  These students meet as a grade level group in the REACH room once a week for one hour.  REACH students are often highly creative and able to “think outside the box.”  REACH students explore topics that are not commonly introduced in their classrooms and are able to go into greater depth in areas that may only be touched upon in their homeroom.  The enrichment teacher will meet regularly with classroom teachers to see that individual students' academic needs are being met.  Differentiated instruction and/or curriculum compacting may take place where indicated by a student's ability.  The RCS Scholars program is for students who excel, specifically in the area of verbal skills.  Students who are accepted into the program often perform at a level 3 to 4 grade levels above their peers in the area of reading and written language and 2 to 3 grade levels above in the area of mathematics according to the School and College Abilities Test.  Scholars meet once a week for an approximate three hour block.  They read classic and contemporary literature and analyze it orally together in literature circles and by writing reading responses.  They study the origins of the English language by learning about the Latin and Greek roots of English.  There is also a science component where students explore different topics and periodically have visitors to instruct or discuss different aspects related to the topic of current study.

The Challenge Math Program is for students identified to be of high academic ability in the area of mathematics.  Activities in this program are meant to enrich the classroom experience by exposing students to a more complex and advanced curriculum.  Challenge Math seeks to provide students with opportunities to examine topics in greater depth and with more rigor.  Some topics are an extension of concepts that are taught in the classroom.  Other topics are selected by the Challenge teacher to best meet the needs and interests of the students.  Challenge Math groups in grades 3-5 will participate in one pull-out session weekly for one hour.