Differentiated Learning

Accelerated Learning

Accelerated Learning looks different at each of our campuses. We recognize the importance of challenging students and offering opportunities to grow beyond the typical classroom setting. To learn more about what our Accelerated Learning programs look like, please select a campus.

Elementary School

Eastern Christian Elementary School addresses the learning and developmental differences of learners with gifts and talents by offering the Horizons program. The program’s goal is to provide high ability learners ongoing self-understanding, cognitive and affective growth, and talent development. Through meaningful and challenging learning activities, students will make important learning progress across dimensions of learning, especially where superior potential may be present. Horizons is one outgrowth of the school’s mission to engage students’ minds and empower them to develop their gifts within the context of a Christian worldview. 

Students in the Horizons program participate in weekly pullout classes. The curriculum features units on social and emotional learning, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math), and individual investigation and design. Learning activities that emphasize critical thinking, creativity, and problem solving foster the students’ competence at both the academic and personal levels. 

Horizons also exists to enhance differentiation in math, both in and out of the regular classroom. Students with high math abilities will be given advanced, supplemental instruction in weekly pull-out groups, for homework, and as in-class practice. As they employ persistence to master intellectual challenges, the students will experience eagerness and joy for learning.

Eligibility for Horizons varies by grade level. Various combinations of the following are contributing factors:

• Teacher Recommendations
• Creative and Problem Solving Screener
• Academic Screener
• Math Placement Assessment
• MAP Score
• CogAT Screener

Middle School

Horizons
Horizons is Eastern Christian Middle School’s extended learning program that strives to meet the learning needs of our students, especially those who display strength in academics. Our desire at ECMS is to inspire each student to flourish as they grow and learn.The Horizons program encourages students to integrate academics and biblical worldview to enhance their individual strengths and interests.  During the course of the program, these students make real-world applications, identify and solve problems, and and use inquiry to questions ideas and practices. Students are selected to participate in our Horizons program using standardized test scores and teacher recommendations. These selected students meet together weekly for collaboration in the context of their independent study projects. In addition, the Horizons teacher works to support teachers in planning differentiated assignments for use within core classes and to develop enrichment possibilities for all students. Our Horizons program seeks to help inspire our academically talented students and to differentiate classroom instruction so that all students have the opportunity for optimum academic growth and success.

High School

STEAM Program
STEAM is the acronym for an exciting Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics program that is offered to high school students. For several years now, STEM (without the “A” for art) initiatives have been on the increase in schools throughout the U.S., with the intent of preparing  young people for the growing engineering and technology job market.

More information about our STEAM program

Project Acceleration
Courses designated for dual credit allow a student to receive both high school credit toward a diploma and also college credit from a specified institution. Eastern Christian high school has dual credit courses which are offered in an online format and also dual credit courses which are offered in our classrooms in partnership with Seton Hall University in our Project Acceleration program.Upon completion of a course, the student receives credits on a college transcript. These credits transfer to most colleges but their transferability is ultimately decided by the college which the student attends.

More information about Project Acceleration

Academic Support

Academic Support looks a little bit different at each of our campuses. The Educational Support Services program provides access to Christian education for many students whom we recognize as diverse learners.  To learn more about what our Academic Support programs look like, select a campus. 

Elementary School

The Educational Support Services (Owl’s Nest) program at the elementary school campus provides a Christ-centered education for students who learn differently or need extra academic reinforcement. We use a variety of multi-sensory, highly structured and sequenced programs to meet our students’ varied academic needs. The following is a partial list of the programs we use:

• Orton Gillingham
• Wilson Fundations
• Center for the Collaborative Classroom
• Reading A-Z
• Basic Writing Skills
• enVision 2.0 Math
• Touch Math

In addition to these programs that “engage the mind,” the Owl’s Nest “nurtures the spirit” with a low student to teacher ratio (typically 5:1) that enables us to build relationships, encourage a positive self-esteem and reinforce the strengths our students already possess. As our students’ needs are met in the Owl’s Nest it is our goal to prepare them to meet their future academic challenges with confidence and ultimately to equip them with the faith and the tools they will need to help “transform the world” in which they live.

Middle School

The Educational Support Services program at the middle school is designed to meet the specific needs of students to maximize their learning potential. Focusing on students who present a wide variety of learning differences, the resource room teacher works closely with the mainstream classroom teachers and parents to ensure that comprehensive support for the students is achieved. In addition to support of mainstream classroom learning objectives, the resource center program provides replacement instruction for a small group of students in core academic areas. While serving a broad spectrum of learners, the resource teacher also ensures the utilization of modifications and accommodations set forth in the child’s Individual Service Plan (ISP). An annual meeting is held with the Bergen County Child Study Team, resource room teacher,mainstream classroom teacher and the parents to discuss the ISP and student progress. Some of the instructional resources we use to support learning and growth include:

• Success Maker Language Arts
• Success Maker Math
• Pearson Successnet
• Saxon Math
• Wilson Just Words
• Compass Learning

High School

We aspire to help students with academic subject areas study skills, and self-advocacy delivered in three ways:

1. The least restrictive environment is being enrolled in the resource room (offered on an alternating or daily basis.) This is a credit class that includes study skills and help with a student’s current academic schedule.
2. A greater degree of service is through an inclusion model. Supported through EC staff or County services as in-class support. Teachers with expertise in differentiation work alongside high school staff. As we make the curriculum more accessible for students who learn differently, all students benefit. (Universal design)
3. The highest level of intervention is a remediation class that parallels the grade level college prep curriculum.

While we do support students in all academic areas, our most common differentiation takes place in English, Language Arts, and Math.