The district's mission is to educate students to become independent thinkers and problem-solvers. The district's HORIZONS program, which provides a unique environment for high-ability students to work at elevated levels, is an important part of the district's overall academic environment that helps ensure the district's success in meeting its mission.

The HORIZONS program is offered to students who exhibit high levels of intellectual ability, accelerated rates of learning, and high creative potential. From grades three through nine, students who participate in this program are offered an enriched differentiated curriculum that is designed to enhance their skills.

Students may be recommended for the HORIZONS Program by teachers or parents. Students qualify for the program by fulfilling matrix requirements that are directly related to school level. Students must have highly ranked IQ scores and SAT scores in reading and mathematics and teacher recommendations. Students are re-evaluated in their fifth-grade year for entrance into the middle school HORIZONS program.

The HORIZONS Program Review committee presented its recommendations for the ongoing enhancement of the program at the board of education meeting held on Nov. 7. These included social and emotional learning standards, continued parental involvement and staff development and continued coordination of resources with Pupil Personnel services. On the elementary level, the committee's recommendations focused on study skills and motivation techniques and the creation of additional strategies and resources designed to reduce identified student stressors. Middle school program recommendations emphasized interdisciplinary project work and study skills through classroom instruction. The high school recommendations focused on the increased effort for community service projects and opportunities at the high school level.

"The HORIZONS program is a unique and invaluable program for those children who demonstrate a strong desire to explore, question, investigate, design, create, produce and evaluate their own work," explained Barbara Pandolfo, HORIZONS director. A program like this helps ensure these high-ability students remain challenged, motivated and excited about learning, helping to ensure they are given every opportunity to reach their full potential."