Gifted and Talented

Quest is an academic enrichment program for students in grades 3-6.  Students accepted into the program demonstrate outstanding academic abilities, strong motivation and creativity.  They are pulled out of their regular classroom, 1 - 2 times per week, to work on challenging projects.  Students at Shaw Avenue, Clear Stream Avenue and Blessed Sacrament schools are bussed to Forest Road School for Quest.
    
During the first phase of Quest screening (in June), students may be nominated by their teachers and parents.  In September, students and their peers may also submit nominations.

All students will complete a creative writing assignment and a problem solving activity in September, in their classroom, which will be used as part of the screening.  These components, along with the TCS (standardized test completed in 2nd grade) will be used to determine which students will qualify for the second phase of the screening process.
    
In the second phase, students who have qualified will be given an assessment called the Screening Assessment for Gifted Elementary Students (SAGES-2).  Their scores on this reasoning assessment, combined with their performance in Phase 1, will determine who will participate in Quest.

Students who are already in the program do not need to reapply.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

For some children who enter District 30's schools, English is not their primary language. For these children, English as a Second Language (ESL) must be provided according to State Education Department regulations. The philosophy of the ESL program in District 30 is to provide eligible children instruction in English language development in a language intensive, small-group setting. The goal of the ESL program is to enable eligible students to become fluent speakers and users of English in a timely manner. ESL services are provided and coordinated by teachers who are specially trained in the area of English as a Second Language. Our District 30 ESL teachers are an important resource to all teachers, as well as to the parents of ESL students.