REACH is Aberdeen's School District's program for meeting the unique academic, social and emotional needs of intellectually gifted students in grades 3-6. Qualified students may elect to participate one day per week in classes held at Robert Gray Elementary School. Students interact with others from the same grade level across the district in activities designed to develop critical, creative, problem-solving and higher-level thinking skills. The curriculum is not intended to accelerate academic achievement but rather is designed to respond to the needs of the highly capable learner by strengthening communication, research, interpersonal, and leadership abilities, as well as critical and creative thinking processes.

(We have removed the PDF files until Adobe corrects the security issue)

REACH Brochure (word document)

REACH Identification (word document)

REACH Nomination (word document)

The Aberdeen School District recognizes that all learning needs a foundation of basic skills, content, and learning strategies, and that students have different needs and learn at different rates. We believe that highly capable learners need a different program that takes into consideration their individual learning styles and special abilities. The purpose of the REACH program is to:

• Bring together students of high ability in order to enable them to be challenged and stimulated by students of like ability
• Develop life-long learning processes and prepare students for leaning opportunities at the secondary level and beyond; and
• Develop abilities and talents for both personal fulfillment and the benefit of society.

Children who will benefit from the REACH program often share these characteristics:

• Score at the 95th percentile or higher on a cognitive ability test
• Are advanced in achievement beyond grade level
• Display a great deal of curiosity about many things and constantly ask questions.
• Have a keen sense of humor.
• Feel passionate about issues of equality or global problems. May perceive and respond to problems that others do not see.
• Posses an unusually large vocabulary.
• Grasp concepts quickly, easily, and without repetition.
• Are keen and alert observers, noting details; quick to see similarities and differences.
• Have strong critical thinking skills and are often self-critical.
• Explore wide-ranging and special interests, frequently in great depth.
• Read a great deal on their ownsometimes difficult or adult-level material.

Nomination
The process begins by completing the nomination form. These forms are available in the main office at each elementary school and in the district office. Anyone may nominate a student for program consideration. Referrals are encouraged from parents, teachers, friends and the community.

Appeals

If a parent or teacher disagrees with a decision that is made as a result of the selection procedures, he or she may appeal the decision.

Notices Sent Out
Before testing, a notice is sent to the student's parents informing them of upcoming REACH program testing and requesting their return of the "Parent Consent for Evaluation".

Testing
District-wide testing of 2nd 5th grade students takes place in early June.

Selection Process
A Student Placement Team reviews testing data and decides program eligibility.

Notification
A letter is sent to the students' parents and the school regarding the test results and students' eligibility by the end of July.

The REACH curriculum for students in the elementary pull-out program follows the district's curriculum frameworks and the state's Essential Academic Learning Requirements. The program emphasizes:

• Critical and creative thinking processes
• Management, organizational and production skills
• Research and study skills
• Group processes
• Decision making
• Problem solving
• Affective/emotional development
• Self-direction and accountability
• Communication skills

Much of the curriculum is taught through integrated, thematic units.

For more information, please contact…

Tita Mallory, Curriculum Director
Aberdeen School District
538-2037