HEROES Academy for the Gifted opens in New Brunswick

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Sept. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- What's a mother to do with a 10 year old who is ready for Calculus? Send him off to college where everyone is not only twice his age but twice his size or let him spend his days sleeping though 5^th grade math? These were the limited choices for the parents of NJ's brightest children – until now.

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When Rita Voit faced these choices, she decided to create programs for children who were ready for college level work by the time they reached middle school. Her efforts have been supported by Rutgers Division of Continuing Studies which sponsors the Annual HEROES Conference as well as two scholarship programs. "Since 2009 HEROES has been able to help students who are ready for college level work access resources at Rutgers University . Now with the opening of the HEROES Academy for the Gifted, we will be able to serve students who may not be ready to step inside the college lecture hall." says Ms Voit.

One of the unique features of the HEROES Academy is that class placement is based strictly on demonstrated ability. While most members are between the ages of 11 and 16 years old, HEROES has helped students as young as 9 years old take college courses. "It's vitally important that every child receives an education appropriate to his/her talents and abilities," Beasley said. "HEROES Academy can help meet this demand."

Paige Miller,  who will be in the eighth grade at Pinelands Regional Junior High School this fall earned 3 college credits this summer through the bridge to Rutgers that HEROES provided.  "I feel that HEROES has given me the ability to be proud of my work, no matter what others think of it," she said. "It has started me on a whole new path in life."

Aadil Bhore who will be a freshman at Ridge High School this fall, said he participated in the conference last January where he  took the Math Placement Test.  Although Aadil's test results allowed him to take Calculus at Rutgers this summer, his busy summer schedule prevented him to do that. Instead he plans to take Calculus though the HEROES Academy this fall.

HEROES Academy offers classes that cover topics that are not normally covered in school. "I recommend that students explore a broader range of topics, participate in competitions or engage in independent research. " explains Ms. Voit. For example, a student who has completed Algebra can take 3D Printing, Nanotechnology, Discrete Math, or join one of our competitive math teams rather than Algebra II or Geometry. Another student may choose to write for our school newspaper or take a class in creative writing or pop literature.

Shelby Ragin an eighth grade student at the Rumson Country Day School, said HEROES gave her opportunities that she normally would not have. "Science is my passion," Shelby said, adding she has taken classes on topics such as DNA, biofuels, sociology and game theory at HEROES conferences.

Mom Melinda Ragin said she is grateful to the HEROES because "it stimulates Shelby and allows her to raise the bar and go to the next level. I can definitely see a difference in her exposure to different topics and knowledge of different subject matters."

The HEROES Academy will be located on George St in New Brunswick to allow students to access Rutgers facilities. While the HEROES Academy will not accept full-time students until next year, it will be offering weekend courses beginning in October.

"Gifted students tend to be under-served by the K-12 education system, where the emphasis in recent years has been on improving performance of low-performing students," Beasley said. "These high-potential students deserve an educational program that challenges and engages them - and the HEROES Academy offers one way to provide accelerated and enriching educational opportunities for these students."

Media Contact:Rita Voit, HEROES Academy for the Gifted, 732-690-7991, HEROES@HEROESgifted.org

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SOURCE HEROES Academy for the Gifted