Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website

The School of Education at St. John's University has received a $687,461 continuation award from the U.S. Department of Education for Project WINGS, under the Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Grant Program for the 2025–2026 academic year. This award brings the total five-year funding for Project WINGS to $3.17 million.

Project WINGS began in 2022 and collaborates with schools in New York, Texas, and California to support young English Learners with strong mathematical abilities. For the upcoming academic year, three large schools—PS 19, PS 127, and PS 143—in New York City's School Districts 24 and 30 will take part in the program. Six schools in Richardson and Waco Independent School Districts in Texas and five schools in Fenton and Lancaster School Districts in California are also included. The project is expected to benefit about 450 students in grades K–2 across these states by providing advanced mathematics opportunities.

The program targets high-potential English Learners both with and without disabilities by offering a research-based mathematics curriculum focused on enhancing problem-solving, creativity, and reasoning skills. According to results so far, participants have shown notable gains in math reasoning, creativity, and engagement.

To support implementation, approximately 26 teachers will participate in a five-hour online training session followed by ongoing professional development through an asynchronous Canvas course during the school year. Parents are invited to workshops aimed at helping them support their children’s mathematical learning at home.

For more information about Project WINGS, Seokhee Cho, Ph.D., Principal Investigator of Project WINGS at St. John’s University’s School of Education, can be contacted.

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