As an innovative leader in educational excellence, the Harrington Park School District recognizes that students with gifts and talents, like all students, thrive when provided appropriate opportunities, challenges, encouragement, and direction. The district strives to enhance and enrich the education of all students by offering a continuum of services to meet students’ diverse, individual needs, including those of underserved populations.

Our mission is to:

• provide all students with educational opportunities to grow as lifelong learners and recognize their maximum potential as responsible, empowered citizens. 

• support gifted and talented learners in a nurturing, culturally responsive, and creative environment through programming that is academically rigorous and meets their unique social, emotional, and intellectual needs.

• ensure that students are equitably identified and supported in developing their gifted potential.

• act as a resource for teachers and families as they seek to provide appropriate learning opportunities that develop students’ talents and abilities.

Gifted and talented instruction is provided to identified students in kindergarten through eighth grade.  As required by the state of New Jersey, students showing the potential to perform at exceptionally high levels compared to their peers are provided with instructional adaptations and educational services that support their development. The district offers a continuum of services tailored to meet the needs of gifted students. 

In accordance with New Jersey’s Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act, we offer a continuum of services designed to meet the diverse needs of the students. Our flexible approach matches services to the individual needs of students demonstrating gifted behaviors, ensuring that each student receives the appropriate support. Aligned with the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Programming Standards, these services offer a variety of enrichment opportunities and are supported by our G&T/Enrichment Specialist.These offerings may vary each year, depending on the needs of the identified students. For more information, please contact Ms. Dana Petrie, the teacher for our Gifted and Talented Program.

School-Wide Enrichment Opportunities (K-8)

In addition to the core content curriculum areas of Reading/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and World Language (Spanish), teachers with specialization in Art, Instrumental Music, General/Vocal Music, Physical Education, Health and Family Life, Technology, Academic Enrichment and Library supplement and enrich the work of our classroom teachers.  

Additionally, all students are exposed to various enrichment opportunities in and beyond the classroom through field trips, guest speakers, visiting authors, academic clubs (including Debate, Model UN, Spartan Sentinel), school-wide events, and after school programs. Lastly, the G&T/Enrichment Specialist shares school-wide enrichment opportunities with teachers and students. Students self-select to participate based on their interests and motivation. All students are welcome to try any of the offered challenges.

Classroom-Based Enrichment and Differentiation (Grades K-8)

Our instructional programs focus on Universal Design for Learning and delivering appropriate modifications within regular classrooms, offering differentiated levels of instruction for all students. Because the district's typical students perform at a high average level on nationally normed academic tests, allowing our curriculum to naturally provide enrichment for high achievers while addressing varying levels of need within the classroom, the educational needs of most students who are identified as gifted and talented can be met within our regular classroom instruction. 

Through ongoing professional development both in-house and at our regional staff development center, our teachers are trained to accommodate varied learning styles and ability levels by using diverse learning strategies and the techniques necessary to teach learners of different ability levels. 

Instructional adaptations are outlined in the district's curriculum, helping teachers differentiate and effectively meet the needs of gifted students and talented students within the regular classroom settings. Teachers engage students in meaningful activities and collaborate with the G&T/Enrichment Specialist to further challenge students as needed.

Enrichment (Grade 4)

All fourth grade students participate in weekly enrichment lessons with the G&T/Enrichment Specialist. Lessons are designed to develop critical and creative thinking. Students engage in divergent thinking activities that encourage the exploration of multiple solutions and creative thinking. They also participate in convergent thinking tasks that help them hone their reasoning skills. Emphasis is also placed on collaboration and open-ended problem-solving.

Competitions (Grade 5-8)

Gifted and talented students in grades 5-8 have opportunities to participate in various competitions providing additional intellectual challenges. Local competitions include Bergan Brain Busters, the Bergen County Consortium for the Teachers of Gifted poetry and essay contests, and New Jersey Association for Gifted Children annual arts contests. National competitions include the WordMasters analogy competition. Some of these opportunities are available for additional students.

Advanced Math Classes (Grades 5-8)

Students in the upper grades who show a strong aptitude for mathematics participate in advanced classes in grades 5-8. Following an accelerated curriculum, these courses are designed with more rigor and move at a quicker pace than the general courses do. Students must meet strenuous criteria to be eligible for advanced math placement. Student placement is reviewed each year, 5th - 8th grade. Questions regarding math placement can be answered by your child’s math teacher.     

SAIL and PLUS Pull-Out Classes (Grades 5-8)

The SAIL/PLUS program is a pull-out program designed to provide identified students with opportunities that extend and deepen the variety and complexity of their learning experiences. Students in grades 5 through 8 who are identified for the SAIL program will participate in a twice-weekly pull out program. The small group instruction is organized on a rotating schedule. During these sessions, students work on a variety of tasks that focus on higher order thinking skills and creative problem solving designed to provoke curiosity, creativity, and exploration. Developing scholarly habits, and their critical and creative thinking skills, students engage in rigorous, cross-curricular academic projects that center around problem solving, collaboration, and communication. 

The PLUS Program allows students outside the SAIL program to be included in projects that will enhance their experience in an area in which they have demonstrated high ability. 

Questions and Concerns 

Anyone with questions or concerns about G&T programming or their child’s eligibility should contact the G&T/Enrichment Specialist (Ms. Dana Petrie - petrie@hpsd.org)

Formal Appeal Process

If concerns regarding an eligibility decision remain after an initial conversation with the G&T/Enrichment Specialist, a parent can request an appeal. Requests for appeal must be submitted in writing via email to the G&T/Enrichment Specialist Ms. Dana Petrie, explicitly requesting an appeal. This can be sent to petrie@hpsd.org. Appeals will be brought to the Identification Committee review. 

Complaint of Non-Compliance

As per Policy 2464 - Gifted and Talented Students, an individual who believes that a school district has not complied with the gifted and talented provisions of act N.J.S.A.18A  may file a complaint with the Harrington Park Board of Education. The board will issue a decision, in writing, to affirm, reject, or modify the district’s action in the matter.. If the matter is still unresolved, the individual may then file a petition of appeal of the board’s written decision to the Commissioner of Education through the Office of Controversies and Disputes in accordance with N.J.S.A.18A:6-9 and the procedures set forth in State Board of Education regulations.

• 2024-25 Gifted and Talented Report

• Policy 1523 - Comprehensive Equity Plan

• Policy 2260 - Equity in School and Classroom Practices

• Policy 2428.1 - Standards Based Instructional Priorities

• Policy 2464 - Gifted and Talented Students

• Policy 9130 - Public Complaints and Grievances

• New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Gifted and Talented

• NJ Strengthening Gifted Education Act