Throughout Year, New York District Offers Clusters of Enrichment to All Its Students

Syosset, N.Y.

Children don’t have to be academically gifted to take advantage of some of the richest, and most fun, learning opportunities at South Grove Elementary School here. In fact, average pupils, those struggling to keep up with their grade-level peers, and even youngsters in special education all take part in the kinds of activities and projects once reserved for the select few in “gifted and talented” programs.

In a given week at this suburban Long Island school, 5th graders in the “Forensics Lab” might examine DNA strands and other evidence from a simulated crime scene to catch a thief, 1st graders study historical documents to learn about the fashions and traditions of the past, and 3rd graders can explore the modern-day economies of China, Italy, and Nigeria.

Through a schoolwide enrichment program that bucks the trend in many places toward more fundamental lessons in reading and mathematics, students here can pursue other interests both as part of the curriculum and through lunchtime...