Gifted and Talented Program

Gifted and Talented Program 

Wharton Borough Public Schools is committed to identifying and educating academically gifted students.  Our goal is to provide challenging instruction to meet the needs of our diverse learners.  The State of NJ defines gifted children as: “Those students who possess or demonstrate high levels of ability, in one or more content areas, when compared to their chronological peers in the local district and who require modification of their educational program if they are to achieve in accordance with their capabilities.”  We provide all students the opportunity to explore their gifts and talents through our push-in enrichment activities.  Students identified as demonstrating high levels of ability in grades 3 through 8 are provided opportunities to enrich their educational experience through additional enrichment activities, such as book clubs, chess club, and debate opportunities.  

Identification Process and Eligibility

Students are identified for enrichment based on the following criteria:

• DRA and Lexile Scores

• Linkit! Benchmark data

• Recommendations from  teachers, including input on factors such as learning characteristics, attitude toward learning, and curiosity.

Appeal Process 

Parents may write a letter of appeal to the Director of Curriculum and Instruction to be reviewed by the Gifted and Talented team.  To appeal the student should have a report card that has 75% or more of the standards marked as Exceeding Standards (ES) or have grades of 90 or above on their final report card.