September 24, 2025
NEWS RELEASE
QUEENS, NY. The School of Education at St. John’s University has secured a $687,461 continuation award from the U.S. Department of Education as part of the Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Grant Program for the 2025–2026 academic year. This highly competitive program funded 13 projects nationwide in 2022, and the new award marks the fourth year of support for Project WINGS, raising its total five-year funding to $3.17 million.
Since its launch in 2022, Project WINGS has partnered with schools across New York, Texas, and California to serve young English Learners who demonstrate exceptional mathematical potential. In 2025–2026, three large schools (PS 19, PS 127, and PS 143) in School Districts 24 and 30 in New York City will participate. In Texas, six schools in Richardson and Waco Independent School Districts will join the program, while in California, five schools in the Fenton and Lancaster School Districts will participate. Altogether, approximately 450 students in Grades K–2 across the three states will benefit from an advanced mathematics opportunities through Project WINGS.
Designed for High-Potential English Learners with and without disabilities, the project provides advanced, research-based mathematics curriculum to expand problem-solving, creativity, and reasoning skills. The program has already demonstrated significantly high gains in math reasoning, creativity, and engagement.
To ensure effective implementation, about 26 teachers will complete a five-hour online training and continue professional development through an asynchronous Canvas course during the school year. Parents will also be invited to workshops to learn how to support their children’s mathematical reasoning at home, strengthening the connection between school and family learning.
For further information about Project WINGS, please contact:
Seokhee Cho, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator, Project WINGS
Professor, Department of Administrative and Instructional Leadership
Director, Center for Creativity and Gifted Education
School of Education
St. John’s University
See 2022 Newsletter
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