- Home
- District
- Board
- Academics & Programs
- K12 Academics
- Early Learning Centers
- Elementary Academics
- Secondary Academics
- Instructional Initiatives
- Student Services
- Special Education
- Curriculum and Standards
- District Redesign
- Human Resources
The STRETCH 1-5 program is made up of three class sections at each grade level, 1-5. The STRETCH 1-5 program is housed at Brook Park, Mary Castle, and Skiles Test Elementary Schools. Students’ home addresses are used to determine which site they will attend. The number of students in each class at each grade level mirrors the district averages. All students who are residents of Lawrence Township may be considered for the gifted program.
Students are selected using specific criteria requirements that are in accordance with state law. The identification and selection process occurs in the spring of each year. Applications are accepted in the spring for the upcoming school year up until the end of the first semester. Students may be considered for the program at any time during the year if they are new to the school district. Students selected for the program will score in the highest ranges on formal assessments (ability tests, achievement tests) and have strong evidence in their informal information (teacher and parent input) when compared with their peers.
All MSDLT kindergarten students are screened for the high ability. Should a child score in the 90th percentile or higher on this screening, he/she is then administered additional assessments to help determine if special programming is needed. Input is also gathered from the student’s teacher and parent(s). Students who have the highest formal information (testing scores) and greatest evidence of high ability from their informal information when compared with their peers will be selected for the program.
Learn more about the application process for grades 2-5
Applications for the High Ability Program, STRETCH Grades 1-5, are still available for the current school year. If you would like to have your child assessed for this program, you must first submit the application that is available below or call 423-8330 to have one mailed to your home. Students who meet the eligibility requirements will be offered a spot at one of the three STRETCH schools.
Two levels of service for high ability and high achieving students are being offered at each of the three middle schools (grades 6-8). Students who are high achievers, strong students, and highly motivated will benefit from the open-access XL classes in Math, Science, and Language Arts. Students in the XL Math classes will work towards Algebra in the 8th grade. XL Language Arts students will experience more advanced reading and writing than the traditional grade-level curriculum.
The second level of service at the middle level is STRETCH 6-8. Students must meet the criteria established and be selected for this program. It is designed for high ability students. These students are selected in the spring of their 5th grade year. The curriculum and program components for Math, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies are in line with the national exemplary standards for high ability students. Students in the STRETCH program move towards Algebra in 7th grade and Geometry in 8th grade.
All fifth graders in MSDLT are screened for the STRETCH program for grade 6. If a student scores in the 90th percentile on the screening, additional assessments are administered. If your child is entering MSDLT at grades 7 or 8, please talk with the middle school counselors about the qualifications for the program.
At the high school level, opportunities are available for high ability students at both sites. High ability students are encouraged to take the most rigorous courses available. These would include advanced math courses, honors courses, accelerated English (Lyceum) courses, Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate. High ability students should also explore other areas of interest and talent such as the performing arts, yearbook staff, computer / technology clubs, etc. Dual credit, online courses, and college credit courses are also available and encouraged.