Elementary/Middle Years Program Grades Prekindergarten – 8

The PEARLS Program at PEARLS Hawthorne School is designed to meet the educational needs of academically talented students through a program that provides an enriched academic core curriculum with an emphasis on creativity, high-level thinking skills and experiential learning.

Selection Process for PEARLS, Academically Talented Program

Students entering prekindergarten and kindergarten are individually evaluated using a nationally normed standardized aptitude test (I.Q.).
Students entering grades 1 through 8 are evaluated using multiple criteria: a nationally normed standardized test of school ability, the New York State Testing Program, teacher evaluations and report card grades.

For students entering prekindergarten through grade 8 for the following year, parents MUST apply online during the application period in the fall. The 2026-2027 School year application period concluded on December 19, 2025.

Academically Talented Programs provide identified academically talented students with a high quality, appropriate education that meets their special needs.

Academically talented children are those who have demonstrated superior intellectual abilities with the potential to perform at levels that exceed Yonkers general academic standards. In addition, they have the potential to use abstract, creative, and productive thinking skills. These self-motivated children are also able to sustain high academic performance. Their unique abilities and characteristics require special social and emotional support from family, community, and school to maximize their multiple talents.

Yonkers Public Schools provides advanced academic programs which ensure a learning continuum and address the strengths, needs, and interests of academically talented students. The programs also support the unique needs of academically talented English Language Learners. The Yonkers Public Schools has adopted guidelines to ensure the programs and services offered are consistent with applicable New York State Standards and guidelines.

Yonkers Public Schools -