REACH

The Riverview Gardens School District is committed to an educational program that recognizes the unique values, needs, and talents of each individual student. The gifted student possesses extraordinary abilities to think both creatively and critically, and Riverview Gardens recognizes that his/her cognitive and affective needs can best be met by providing a differentiated learning environment that will allow gifted students regularly scheduled opportunities to interact with and be stimulated by their peers.

The REACH Program provides an educational climate that is conducive for nurturing the full potential of gifted students. It creates an environment in which students use their strengths, explore their personal development, risk new areas of thought and action, and feel challenged to pursue independent study.

Each of the nine elementary schools have a designated time for the REACH specialists to "pull-out" gifted students from certain classes in order to meet the state of Missouri required guidelines of 150 minutes per week of service by a certified gifted instructor. The secondary classes for 6-12 are held during designated elective times at Riverview Gardens High School, RG Central Middle School and Westview Middle School.

The curriculum is designed to challenge academically advanced learners and provide experiences that require information gathering, problem solving, critical thinking, communication skills, and technology, and are assessed as such along with responsibility. Although the curriculum is aligned with grade level expectations, it is designed to enrich and accelerate core subject matter in the content areas and incorporate real-world challenge and project based learning.

Scholars are encouraged to set personal goals and investigate their interests while working both independently and as responsible group members and leaders. In addition, the program aims to increase the students' understanding of their own personal and social responsibility, interpersonal skills, and sense of ethics.