Welcome to QuEST, West Hartford Public Schools, Gifted and Talented Program serving the needs of high ability, highly creative, motivated students.  As you tour this site, we hope  you will be intrigued and enlightened about the unique and diverse opportunities that QuEST offers throughout the school year for students in grades 3 – 8.

A student centered program, QuEST is founded on the principles of the Enrichment Triad Model (Renzulli, 1977) and the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (Renzulli and Reis, 1985). The program supports National and State Standards in Education, and is guided by a well developed Scope and Sequence of skill training activities tailored to participating students as they progress toward the excitement of independent discovery through research, diligence, and creative productivity. 

Encouragement and support from parents is tremendously important to the success of our students.  Support from parents is also vital for the success of the program.  Some parents mentor students, others have volunteered to give presentations, still more have become involved in the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC). This committee meets during the school year and, in addition to being a source and a sounding board for ideas, the committee collaborates with the program’s coordinator organizing events such as parent-child enrichment workshops, and evening presentations focusing on the education of gifted students.

Thank you for visiting our website. As you browse, we hope that you enjoy learning more about our work and the work of our Quest students.  We encourage curiosity, so if you are left with questions, please do not hesitate to be in touch with the QuEST Program Coordinator.  

Nancy Eastlake, Ph.D.

MISSION

The mission of the QUEST Program is to ensure that students have an opportunity to develop their unique gifts and talents by creating a learning environment that encourages students to:

Question the world around them Understand the need to learn and grow Explore the past, present, and future Search for solutions and meanings Think creatively and critically

GOALS

	To provide all students with opportunities, experiences, and resources by enriching the regular curriculum and by enhancing student interests and intellectual curiosity.
	To create a learning environment that encourages the development and demonstration of students' creative and critical thinking skills.
	To provide opportunities for students to explore academic talents and interests through independent investigative work and to create advanced level products incorporating their knowledge, skill, and expertise.
	To promote continuous growth of the professional staff in the area of gifted education with an emphasis on the differentiation of curriculum in the regular classroom.
	To develop and maintain recognition of the needs, abilities, and interests of high ability students by communicating with the faculty, administration, student body, parents, and community.

Copyright  ©2007
For problems with this website, please contact the Quest office.