The gifted and talented programs in Marlboro Township Public Schools are needs-based programs designed for those students who, when compared to their chronological peers, possess and demonstrate exceptionally high levels of ability in one or more content areas. The programs provide additional and appropriate educational challenges and opportunities to meet the needs of these students. The curricula for the various G&T programs are created by the G&T teachers and are designed to provide an appropriate level of challenge to intellectually and academically advanced learners.

GOALS OF THE PROGRAMS

• To challenge gifted and talented students who demonstrate a need for rigor beyond the regular curriculum for their grade level.
• To provide an environment that encourages the development of critical thinking skills such as analysis, evaluation, synthesis, and complex problem solving strategies.
• To provide an environment that encourages divergent thinking and supports the development of originality, fluency, flexibility, and elaboration.
• To develop confidence in expressing ideas in discussions, debates, expository writing, and creative writing.
• To advance the process of inquiry through the application of skills in investigations of real-life problems and research.
• To provide students with opportunities to develop leadership skills through positive group interaction.
• To encourage a lifelong commitment to independent learning.

PLACEMENT CONSIDERATIONS

Placement is determined by multiple measures of the need for challenge beyond the regular curriculum. Criteria for placement in these programs may be found on the Placement Information page. 

Placement Criteria for Academic Year 2025-26

Candidates for the PEP, REACH, and SOAR programs are reviewed annually by the BAC (Building Action Committee) which consists of the Principal and/or Vice Principal, G&T Supervisor, G&T Teacher, School Counselor, and several teachers in each school.

All students must re-qualify for each program annually.

If a student qualifies and parent(s)/guardian(s) choose not to have a child participate in any gifted program, please note that the student cannot be added to the program during the academic year. Similarly, if a student is withdrawn from a gifted program, he or she cannot return to the program during the same academic year. In both cases, students must requalify for placement beginning the following academic year.

All of these programs are pull-out programs. Students in any G&T program are expected to maintain high quality performance in the G&T program(s) and to show sustained motivation for learning. Furthermore, students must demonstrate higher order thinking skills, task commitment, intellectual independence, responsibility for learning, and cooperation with peers to remain in the G&T program(s). In addition, participants in the G&T programs are responsible for regular class work which they miss as a result of their attendance at pull-out classes for the gifted as well as for maintaining excellence in the regular classroom as evidence that their grade level curricula achievement is not suffering as a result of participation in any G&T program.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

The following programs are available to students K through 5 as indicated:

• Primary Enrichment Program (PEP): Grades K, 1, 2, & 3
• Realizing Excellence through Academic Challenge (REACH): Grades 4 & 5
• Special Opportunities through Academic Resources (SOAR): K through Grade 5

 Primary Enrichment Program (PEP) (Grades K, 1, 2 and 3)

The PEP program is an interdisciplinary enrichment program for academically gifted and talented students. During the course of this full year program, students are pulled out of their regular classes in English language arts, science, and/or social studies for three periods per week to participate in various units of study designed according to principles addressing the needs of gifted students. Content is related to grand themes, abstract concepts, and real issues and includes the integration of multiple disciplines and cross curricular connections. The curricula covered in PEP is distinct from the regular education curricula offered by the district. Placement is determined by the Building Action Committee based on multiple measures. 

Students in Kindergarten and grade one participate for the second half of the school year.

Students in grades two and three participate for a full year.

Realizing Excellence through Academic Challenge (REACH) (Grades 4 and 5) 

The REACH program is an interdisciplinary enrichment program for academically gifted and talented students. During the course of this full year program, students are pulled out of their regular classes in English language arts, science, and/or social studies for four periods per week to participate in various units of study designed according to principles addressing the needs of gifted students. Content is related to grand themes, abstract concepts, and real issues and includes the integration of multiple disciplines and cross curricular connections. The curricula covered in REACH is separate and apart from the regular education curricula offered by the district. Placement is determined by the Building Action Committee based on multiple measures.

Special Opportunities through Academic Resources (SOAR) (K through Grade 5) 

The SOAR program provides enrichment on an as-needed, individual basis as determined by the Building Action Committee.  The G&T teacher will act as facilitator for these independent research opportunities.