Project Challenge Notification

January 12, 2026

Dear Families,

As part of Weston’s commitment to meeting the needs of all learners, students in Grades 2 and 5, as well as new students to the district in Grades 3 through 8, will participate in the OLSAT (Otis-Lennon School Ability Test) and the NNAT3 (Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test, Third Edition) this winter. These assessments serve as Weston’s universal screening tools to help identify gifted and talented learners and to better understand each student’s learning profile and strengths.

The OLSAT measures verbal and nonverbal reasoning abilities that are closely associated with academic success. The NNAT3 focuses on nonverbal problem-solving and reasoning, allowing students to demonstrate their abilities through patterns and relationships without relying on language. Together, these assessments provide a more comprehensive view of each student’s potential, supporting our efforts to offer appropriately challenging and engaging learning opportunities for all students.

When reviewing student learning and growth, the school-based team uses a comprehensive, data-informed process that considers classroom performance, curriculum-based assessments, and additional standardized measures to determine eligibility for Weston’s Project Challenge program.

No special preparation or studying is needed for these assessments. Once testing is complete, results will be shared with families through Profile+, located in PowerSchool.

If you do not want your child to participate in these assessments, please email your building principal directly by Wednesday, January 20, 2026.

We appreciate your partnership in supporting your child’s growth and learning. If you have any questions about the assessments or the screening process, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Warm Regards,

Tina Henckel, Ed.D.

cc: Principal Kaddis

Principal D’Amico

Principal Bluestein