Skip To Main Content

REACH- Profoundly Gifted

Group of REACH students working on an assignment at their table

REACH – Profoundly Gifted (Grades 1-8)

The REACH (Rigorous, Enriched, Accelerated Curriculum for the Highly Gifted) program provides an all-day differentiated learning experience for highly gifted students in grades 1-8. The program is hosted at Madison Heights Elementary (grades 1-4) and Madison Park Middle School (grades 5-8). The Middle School program features literature integration within the social studies curriculum, along with Honors Science with STEM integration. 

Students engage in a challenging curriculum accelerated up to two grade levels in math and English language arts (ELA). This environment allows students to work at an academic level commensurate with their high abilities while interacting with intellectual peers.

By the end of 8th grade, students can earn high school credit in ELA, Math, and Spanish. The curriculum emphasizes higher-order critical thinking, personal responsibility, and community involvement.

Each year, students develop a Differentiated Educational Plan (DEP) to research and present on an area of interest. Additionally, 7th and 8th-grade students participate in specialized REACH overnight trips, such as the Catalina Island Marine Institute, AstroCamp, or STEM camp.

Highly qualified, gifted-endorsed teachers lead REACH classes.

To qualify, students must meet satisfy both of the following pathways:

  1. Pathway A: Screening
    1. A composite score in the 99th percentile on the CogAT or NGAT.
  2. Pathway B: Clinical Assessment
    1. A Full Scale IQ or General Ability Index (GAI) score of 139 or higher on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC).
    2. If the 139 score is not met, a review of sub-battery scores (Verbal, Nonverbal, and Quantitative equivalents) will be conducted for eligibility.

Additionally, potential REACH students are required to be assessed in reading and math using Madison’s Northwest Evaluation Association/Measures of Academic Progress (MAP). 

Incoming Grades 1-2 Reading: A passing score on the district’s reading assessment.

Incoming Grades 3-8: An 80 percentile or higher for math and reading.