Gifted & Talented

Learning Lab is a program designed to support the learning needs of students identified as Gifted & Talented. Through project-based, thematic units, Learning Lab challenges students to engage in complex skills, including problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and critical thinking.   Students enrolled in this program are pulled for small group instruction during small group time and/or WIN (depending on grade level) and engage in a curriculum designed to accommodate the unique needs of gifted students.

At LCCS, we recognize that some students may not qualify for gifted programs, but do demonstrate advanced academic skills; beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, we expanded our programming to include Academic Enrichment for these students in grades K-5.   During small group time and/or WIN (again, depending on grade level), students identified as needing such enrichment work with grade-level teachers on activities that extend the core curriculum by exposing them to more advanced concepts and activities.  

LCCS created an academic enrichment module for all core academic subjects, enabling teachers to incorporate enrichment strategies into daily lessons for students who demonstrate mastery in specific subject areas.

Gifted students are those who perform - or have the capability to perform- at higher levels compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment in one or more domains.  At LCCS, we rely upon multiple measures to evaluate giftedness: a dedicated team of educators (including, but not limited to, Administration, the G&T coordinator, curriculum consultants, and grade-level teachers) review data collected from the following sources based on students' grade levels: CogAT; NJSLA; NWEA Map, DRA, and Dibels; teacher recommendation.  Students achieving at the highest levels of each of these assessments will qualify for Learning Lab.  LCCS applies a universal screening approach for students, with all new students in grades K-8 being evaluated for eligibility for our gifted and talented program after being admitted to LCCS.

We recognize that parents play a vital role in the identification process. If a child is not identified for our gifted & talented programming through our matrix, but Parents/Guardians believe the child is performing well above grade level or is demonstrating exceptional characteristics or talents, they can appeal the identification decision and have their child’s performance and achievement reviewed by the District's Director of Curriculum and Instruction.

For students who are not found eligible for the Gifted Education Program, should a family feel they have additional, relevant information that they would like considered, an appeal can be made to our Assistant Head of School, Ms. Tatiana Antczak, who will review the case and make a final decision. If Ms. Antczak overturns the placement, a student will enter the program on a probationary status* to ensure the Gifted Education Program is the best fit for the student.