Enrichment Opportunities
Enrichment Opportunities for All Elementary Students
Summit Public Schools is committed to providing all students with learning opportunities that enhance creativity, acceleration, depth, and complexity in academics and specialized domains. To further enhance rigorous and challenging learning experiences in the classroom, enrichment resources and activities are provided during daily English Language Arts and Mathematics instruction.
Elementary School (Grades K-5)
K-3
Summit Public Schools is committed to providing learning opportunities which will challenge all children while simultaneously meeting the unique needs of the academically talented students. Recognizing that some students may benefit from enrichment activities, the District has provided teachers with enrichment resources and activities for each math and ELA unit. These activities are implemented during daily instruction.
Grade 4
IDEAS
The IDEAS program (Innovative Discovery Education at Summit) is a pullout program for academically-talented students in grades 4-5. In the IDEAS program, students utilize academic and social skills to solve problems, think critically, engage in self-initiated learning, and innovate.
Once a student enters the IDEAS program, the student may continue participating in the program for fifth grade unless it is decided otherwise by the parent, student, and/or IDEAS teacher.
Multiple criteria, specifically curated to assess a diverse range of abilities, will be used to identify academically-talented students in grade 4.
Participants in IDEAS will score in the 15th percentile of fourth grade students at each school within three of the four areas listed below:
- CogAT Composite Score (administered at the end of grade 3) assesses verbal, non-verbal, and quantitative reasoning skills.
- iReady Math End of Year Diagnostic assesses mathematical content knowledge, problem solving, and reasoning.
- iReady Reading End of Year Diagnostic assesses literal and inferential reading comprehension, vocabulary, high-frequency words, phonics and phonological awareness.
- Assessment of Learning Characteristics (modified from Renzulli's Scales) assesses observable learning behaviors in the classrooms, including creativity, motivation, leadership, and communication characteristics.
Grade 5
IDEAS
The IDEAS program (Innovative Discovery Education at Summit) is a pullout program for academically-talented students in grades 4-5. In the IDEAS program, students utilize academic and social skills to solve problems, think critically, engage in self-initiated learning, and innovate.
Once a student enters the IDEAS program, the student may continue participating in the program for fifth grade unless it is decided otherwise by the parent, student, and/or IDEAS teacher.
- ALL students who participated in the program in fourth grade will be grandfathered in for fifth grade.
- In addition, data for all incoming fifth grade students will be reviewed. Any students who are in the 15th percentile when entering fifth grade (even if they did not qualify in fourth grade) will also be invited to join the program.
Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Accelerated Mathematics
ACCELERATED MATHEMATICS Grades 6-8
Accelerated Mathematics is intended for highly motivated students who demonstrate mastery of computational skills and display problem-solving ability. At each level, Grades 6-8, courses emphasize the development of problem solving and thinking skills, in alignment with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. Instruction focuses on strengthening verbal and written communication, reasoning, and application of terminology and symbolism. The use of calculators and computers is encouraged within appropriate units of study.
In an attempt to maintain balance between the need for expansion of knowledge and the reinforcement of mathematics skills, students are grouped within each grade level team. This allows for integration of math with other subjects and facilitates movement between levels in math.
At Grade 6 students extend whole number, fraction, and decimal skills, and work with positive and negative numbers, ratio and proportion, percent, algebraic equations, and geometry. The Accelerated Math 6 program will explore the same curriculum as Math 6, yet will address each topic with more depth and complexity. More opportunities to explore abstract algebraic concepts will also exist in this course in preparation for an enriched experience in Pre-Algebra 7. Students demonstrating success in this course (a B+ average or better) tend to continue into the Pre-Algebra 7 Enriched program in seventh grade.
Pre-Algebra 7 Enriched is intended for mathematics students with excellent quantitative skills and demonstrated capacity for dealing with abstract concepts. Algebraic and geometric concepts are taught in an interrelated manner. Arithmetic procedures involving fractions, decimals, and signed numbers are solidified. Units involving statistics and geometry are also presented. Students demonstrating success in this course (a B+ average or better) tend to continue into the Algebra 1 Enriched program in eighth grade.
Grade 8 Algebra 1 Enriched provides a challenging, in-depth experience with the three key elements of Algebra: equations and inequalities, graphing, and interchangeable use of words and symbols. An important goal of this course is to lead students toward more independence in their learning through continuous previewing and reviewing of concepts. Complex applications of Algebra are introduced as the traditional skills are developed. Strands involving informal geometry, probability, statistics, and discrete mathematics are interwoven throughout the course. Students demonstrating success in this course tend to continue into the Geometry program in grade nine and are eligible to apply for placement in the Honors level. Specific information regarding the Honors application process is distributed in January of the eighth grade year.
Independent Study
Independent study is an enrichment program offered to students in the 7th and 8th grades. It is an admission-based cycle developed for select students who demonstrate excellence in the humanities.
This course is intended for students who are committed to completing a long-term, independent project. The students who have met the qualifications will research and design a project of their choosing, culminating in a final product to be shared with their peers. These projects will be unique and authentic to each student and can be presented in any form (video, piece of artwork, short story, website, etc.). The overarching goal of this project is to encourage students to examine their own passion and its place in the local or global community so their point of view, voice, and reflection will be included. Throughout the course, students will also engage in multiple peer feedback workshops. This will foster awareness of other perspectives, encourage active dialogue, and model professional peer review processes.
Eligibility and Admission Requirements
Students will be offered the opportunity to take this course if they meet the top 6% of the following criteria:
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CogAT Screener score*;
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Averaged NJSLA scores in ELA from previous 2-3 years;
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Previous year’s iReady End of Year Reading;
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Previous year’s final grades in ELA, Sci, & SS; and
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Learning Characteristics Scale
*This year, the CogAT score from 3rd grade will be used. Beginning in 2025, the CogAT will be administered to all 5th-grade students yearly.
Applied 21st Century Skills
Applied 21st Century Skills is an enrichment program offered to students in the 6th grade. It is an admission-based cycle developed for select students who demonstrate excellence in the humanities and are interested in honing their project management skills.
This course is intended for students who are committed to completing a long-term, collaborative project. The overarching goal of this course is for students to engage in collaborative work on a local or global project. Throughout the course, students will harness creativity, innovation, and critical thinking skills to develop solutions for specific issues.
Eligibility and Admission Requirements
Students will be offered the opportunity to take this course if they meet the top 6% of the following criteria:
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CogAT Screener score*;
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4th Grade NJSLA scores in ELA; and
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5th Grade iReady End of Year Reading
*This year, the CogAT score from 3rd grade will be used.
High School (Grades 9-12)
- Honors and Advanced Placement Expectations & Requirements
- 9th Grade Honors Courses
- 10th-12th Grade Honors Courses
- Advanced Placement Courses
Honors and Advanced Placement Expectations & Requirements
These courses are designed to provide students with an academic challenge beyond what is provided in other courses and the opportunity to attain college credit at the high-school level. There is a greater amount of coursework required, which is more challenging and rigorous. Assignments and activities are specifically designed to require students to think critically at a higher cognitive level to prepare them for college and career readiness. All students in AP classes are required to take the AP exam in that subject.
Honors/AP students must be prepared to accept the academic challenges of these courses. Most honors and AP courses require a summer assignment.
Specifically, students applying to these courses should have:
- a high level of interest in the subject matter, the background knowledge required to enter the course and be motivated to learn
- a strong academic ability to handle subject matter at the college level
- self-discipline, curiosity, persistence and independence to be successful in the course
- a history of and maintain excellent attendance
- strong reading and writing skills
Specific honors/AP courses may include additional requirements as specified in the Summit High School Course of Studies.
Students are encouraged to apply for an honors or AP course if they meet the selection requirements listed in the Summit High School Course of Studies. Consulting with current teachers, school counselors and department supervisors are valuable steps in this process. Summit High School students presently in an honors/AP course will be accepted into the next level in a certain subject area if they have a B- or better average at the midterm with no grade less than C+. If the student does not meet the above criteria and still wishes to take the class he/she must follow appeals process. The student will be accepted into the course if he/she has achieved an average of B- or better in the third marking period. Summit High School students presently in a regular level course within a certain subject area will be accepted into an honors/AP course if they have an A- or better average at the midterm with no grade less than B and a recommendation from their current teacher.
If the student does not meet the above criteria and still wishes to take the class, he/she may be accepted based upon the decision of the department supervisor.
Any student selecting more than three honors/AP courses should evaluate the amount of work the courses will require and consider how he/she will balance the course work. Acceptance into an honors class or AP class is a full year commitment except for Macroeconomics and United States Government and Politics, 2.5 credit classes. Schedule changes in and out honors and AP courses will not permitted unless there are extenuating circumstances. In no case will a change be made before the end of the first grade-reporting period. If a student is performing poorly he/she may be removed from the class based on an administrative decision.
9th Grade Honors Courses
9th Grade Honors Courses: Physics Honors and Honors Geometry
Current Grade 8 students who wish to take Honors Physics or Honors Geometry will be accepted based upon performance on the following criteria:
- Student application
- Student grade performance at midterm
- Placement test
- Performance in current math class
- Current teacher input
10th-12th Grade Honors Courses
Advanced Placement Courses
Advanced Placement courses are offered in:
- English: English Language and Composition and English Literature and Composition
- History: U.S. History II, European History, Macroeconomics, United States Government & Politics, and World History
- Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics I, , Physics C, and Environmental Science
- Mathematics: AB Calculus, BC Calculus, and Statistics
- World Language: French Language and Culture, Spanish Language & Culture, Spanish Literature & Culture, and Latin Literature
- Electives: Psychology, Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles and Music Theory
If you have questions or concerns regarding noncompliance with the New Jersey Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act (N.J.S.A. 18A:34-39), please contact Heather Rocco, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, at hrocco@summit.k12.nj.us.