If you are looking for information about the Fort Lee Project Primary program, you likely just received a special notification letter from your child’s school. As a mom living in Fort Lee, I know how exciting—and sometimes confusing—it can be to navigate the Gifted and Talented (G&T) selection process in our district.
Today, I’m sharing our personal experience and breaking down everything you need to know about this unique enrichment opportunity for 1st and 2nd graders.
What exactly is Project Primary? (P.R.I.M.A.R.Y)
The Fort Lee Project Primary program is not your typical advanced math or reading class. It is a specialized “Thinking Skills Program” designed for what the district calls P.R.I.M.A.R.Y. youngsters:
Program for Responsible Identification of Mentally Academically Ready Youngsters.
Rather than focusing on standard school subjects, this is a thinking skills-based program that utilizes the P.E.T.S. curriculum. It aims to foster critical and creative thinking through four key cognitive areas:
- Convergent Analysis: Learning how to reach the best logical conclusion.
- Divergent Synthesis: Encouraging creative, outside-the-box thinking.
- Visual/Spatial Thinking: Developing the ability to visualize and manipulate patterns.
- Evaluative Thinking: Teaching kids how to make informed judgments.
How the Program Works: Schedule & Structure
Understanding the logistics helps you support your child’s new routine:
- The Pull-out Format: Selected students participate in this class two periods per week. It is a “pull-out” program, meaning they leave their regular classroom during WINN periods, so they don’t miss core instruction. My kids take the class 2-3 times a week.
- Ten-Week Cycles: The program consists of three ten-week cycles per year. Each cycle accommodates a different group of up to ten students, allowing more children the opportunity to participate.
- STREAM Philosophy: Fort Lee follows a STREAM model—Science, Technology, Robotics, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. The goal is to move students up the ladder of thinking, from simple remembering to higher-level evaluating and creating.
The Selection Process: How are students chosen?
For 1st and 2nd graders, the selection for Project P.R.I.M.A.R.Y. is twofold:
- Classroom Teacher’s Recommendation: Based on the Renzulli checklist.
- Program Teacher’s Input: Specialists provide their professional evaluation.
Our Experience: When do you find out?
One of the most common questions is, “When will I hear back?” In our case, the timing was very specific. We received the official selection letter just one week after the school report cards were released. If your child’s report card shows strong academic readiness, keep a close eye on their backpack the following week!
How to Decode Your Kid’s Report Card 👉 [Frustrated with Your 1st Grader’s Reading Level? How to Decode Star Reports]
Does this guarantee 3rd Grade G&T?
This is a common question! While Project Primary provides a great foundation and “continuity,” students must still meet the formal criteria to enter the full-year G&T program in 3rd grade. For grades 3-6, the district uses a Matrix system where students must earn 51 points or above based on CogAT scores, STAR 360 results, and teacher recommendations.
What do they learn in later years? (Grade 3-6)
If your child continues into the formal G&T program, the curriculum becomes even more exciting with units such as:
- STEM & Beyond: Robotics, Neuroscience, Rocketry, and Physics.
- Critical Thinking: Mock Trials, Mysteries, and Business & Economics.
- Contests: Students participate in Math Olympiads, the Stock Market Game, and Word Masters Challenges.
A Mom’s Perspective: Tips for Your Little Learner
When our family started this journey, I realized the best thing I could do was keep it low-pressure:
- Focus on the “Fun”: Ask your child what kind of “brain games” or puzzles they solved today.
- No Homework Stress: Since this is a thinking skills program, there is usually no extra homework. It’s pure enrichment!
- Celebrate the Effort: Being identified as “academically ready” is a testament to your child’s curiosity and hard work.
Final Thoughts for Fort Lee Parents
Navigating the Bergen County school system can feel like a marathon, but programs like Project Primary are wonderful milestones that help our children find joy in thinking differently. I am particularly grateful that my kid was accepted into the program. Coming from Korea, where gifted education often resides in the private sector and requires significant investment of time and money, I truly appreciate that such high-quality enrichment is provided right within our public school system.
Do you have questions about the Fort Lee G&T process or other local school programs? Leave a comment below—I’d love to connect with fellow NJ moms!
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