Programs

Horizons

The Horizons program at Eastern Christian Elementary School is designed to provide opportunities for students to develop academic strengths through enrichment within the classroom and small group instruction outside of the classroom.

All students in grades 1st grade are exposed to enrichment lessons that offer creative and critical thinking skills through lessons and activities that connect with the classroom studies. These lessons and activities are planned to help identify students who need to be challenged academically and exhibit the need for more differentiation within the classroom or small group instruction.

Students in grades 2-4 who exhibit qualities of a gifted and talented student are eligible for the Horizons program. In this program, students are taken out of the classroom to work in small groups. They are challenged to think on a higher level as an extension of the classroom lessons. The goal of Horizons is to enhance each student’s problem solving skills, research skills, creativity and ability to study independently. The student driven projects in Horizons are based on ability and interest of each group.

Horizons groupings change throughout the year based on the needs and abilities of all third and fourth grade students. Students who participate in Horizons for one unit may not be eligible for participation in another unit. The following formal and informal evaluations will be used to identify students for participation in Horizons:

• Teacher recommendation of a student who exhibits above average ability, creativity and task commitment
• A score in the 90th percentile or higher on the MAP standardized test
• A score in the above average or superior range on the WRAT test administered by the Horizons teacher

Owl’s Nest

At Eastern Christian, we believe part of our mandate is to “Train up a child in the way he or she should go and when he is old he will not depart form it,” as found in Proverbs 22:6. In keeping with the promise, our program at ECES tries to provide a Christ-centered education regardless of learning needs.

Our Program

Eastern Christian provides a broad spectrum of services, as necessary, to fit the children’s learning styles. First, our teachers differentiate within the classroom, using their own training as well as utilizing resources from two Learning Disabilities teachers. Secondly, a resource teacher and speech therapist are provided by Bergen County to supplement student skills. Next, “in class support” is provided in the student’s own classroom. Finally, for students with greater needs, we offer replacement reading, spelling, writing, math and social studies. ECES is committed to meeting the special needs of students from Christian families.