Welcome to EXCEL & Specialty Enrichment Groups  

 

 

 

 

 

Hello! The EXCEL department will be working on assembling and scheduling EXCEL, FOCUS, and enrichment groups for the 2025-2026 school year during the first few weeks of school. Parents and/or guardians will be notified once schedules are in place, and more information will be provided at that time. I hope you are all doing well.  I am looking forward to an exciting school year!

 

 

 

 

 

 

If anyone is looking for an extra challenge, click on the links under the main menu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXCEL & SPECIALTY ENRICHMENT WITH MRS. ALESSANDRINI

I will be teaching at VMES and Lanes Mill. The best way to contact me would be through email: [email protected]

 

 

EXCEL Program

 

Enrichment of Exceptional Creative Engaged Learners

 

The EXCEL Program in grades K-8 recognizes exceptionally able students, those who perform or show the potential to perform at high levels of ability. These programs offer meaningful opportunities and curriculum modified by content, process, products, and learning environment, which enable these students to achieve in accordance with their capabilities.

 

 

EXCEL MISSION

 

We are committed to the belief that gifted students are individuals with potential who require guidance in discovering, developing, and realizing their potentials as individuals and as members of society. It is the responsibility of the entire staff to meet the needs of gifted students by identifying their gifts and talents and developing those areas. This also requires a strong partnership between the Brick Township School District and the larger community.  Society needs integrated, higher functioning persons to play a demanding and innovative role in the continuation of the culture. The guiding principle of the EXCEL program is to empower our finest minds to become the future leaders and decision makers in our ever-changing global world.

 

 

 

EXCEL INSTRUCTION

 

The Brick District Elementary EXCEL program is based on Joseph Renzulli's Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM).  The levels of instruction include:

 

• EXCEL Groups: For students in grades 4-5, who have been identified as gifted and talented based on district criteria using multiple measures.
• FOCUS GROUPS: (Flexible, Original, Creative, Unique Students): a bridge between specialty enrichment groups and identified groups for students in grade 3. The EXCEL teacher will use a variety of assessments to form a 3rd grade FOCUS group.
  
• Specialty Enrichment Groups:  For students in grades K-5, nominated by their classroom teacher, who show high levels of ability or interest in specific topics or units.

 

 

 

SPECIALTY ENRICHMENT GROUP CRITERIA 

 Grade K-2:

For students in grades K-2, the candidates for the specialty enrichment groups are first based on classroom teacher nomination. Once nominated, the EXCEL teacher will conduct a variety of informal assessments which are used to determine the enrichment group participation.  

 

Since the program at the K-2 level is informal and fluid, the needs of our early learners may change as well.  Each student will continue to be evaluated on above average ability, creativity, and task commitment.  

 

Grades 3-5:

Students are chosen to participate in specialty enrichment groups based on ability and interest. These students are nominated through teacher recommendation and EXCEL teacher observation. This is a fluid identification process which takes place throughout the school year as a variety of topics are explored at different grade levels. Parents are notified of student participation in specialty enrichment groups each time students begin a new unit.  

 

Formal EXCEL identification begins in the 4th grade.  All 3rd grade students will be assessed for the 4th grade EXCEL program.

 

 

 

 

EXCEL GROUP CRITERIA

Grades 4-5:

 

Formal identification is based on scores from the Naglieri general ability test,

end of the year literacy and math scores, state testing results for grades 3-5, report card grades, Renzulli learning characteristics, leadership abilities, communication, motivation, creativity, and classroom & EXCEL teacher recommendations. Data is collected and compiled starting at the end of the school year to be used for the upcoming year. Once the data is reviewed, students must achieve a district benchmark score for acceptance into the EXCEL program. Parent/Guardian and student notification takes place in September. 

 

 

 

EXCEL Grades 6-8:

 

As long as the formally identified EXCEL students in fifth grade are meeting both classroom and EXCEL requirements, students who are in the fifth grade identified EXCEL program will be placed in the middle school EXCEL program. There are no specialty enrichment groups at the middle school level, and any student who participated in a specialty enrichment group will not be placed in the EXCEL classroom.  However, throughout middle school, students may be considered for the EXCEL program based on their academic performance.