Michigan City Area Schools currently offers "High Ability" centers at Joy and Knapp Elementary Schools. These buildings host multi-age classrooms for high-ability students in grades 4, 5, and 6. (Students in grades 1-3 are served through specialized small group instruction at all elementary buildings.)

Middle school and high school students are selected to participate in content/theme specific high ability coursework. Students have the opportunity for project-based learning, accelerated coursework and may receive credits for the next level (high school or college). Click on links below for specific course offerings.

Barker Middle School 

Krueger Middle School

Michigan City High School students are offered an array of Honors, Advance Placement and Dual Credit courses   

Joy and Knapp Elementary Schools host the High Ability Centers. Students who do not currently attend these schools are transported to one of the HA Centers.

 

These classrooms look much like other classrooms. The major difference is that students from grades 4 to 6 work together with one teacher. Students learn the academic standards approved by the Indiana State Board of Education for their grade level as well as receive enrichment to broaden and deepen understanding. Instruction is based on thematic units of study that encompass multiple content standards. Students are encouraged to work independently as well as in groups on tasks and projects designed to stretch their thinking and enhance their creativity and collaboration skills. Classrooms offer advanced technology options to enable students to work at their own pace and explore resources available through the Internet. Students develop a Personal Learning Plan and set goals for learning based on their unique interests and abilities.

 

The teachers are highly qualified, either pursuing or holding a talented and gifted or high ability endorsement, with specialized training in working with high ability students and with a passion for personalizing and challenging students to their maximum potential.

 

MCAS wants to meet the unique learning needs of all of our students, including those with high ability.

 

The state of Indiana defines a student with high abilities as one who:
1. performs at, or shows the potential for performing at, an outstanding level of accomplishment in at least one domain when compared to other students of the same age, experience, or environment; and:
2. is characterized by exceptional gifts, talents, motivation, or interests (IC 20-36-1-3).

 

The following web sites are suggested for further information on the topic of high ability learners:

 

Using local norms, any student scoring at or above the 8th stanine will then take the Full CogAt-7 Assessment. This will determine high ability in one or more of the required domains.

• Language Arts
• Math
• General Intellectual

Students scoring at or above the 90th percentile in one or more domains on the full CogAt are automatically identified as HA (High Ability).

• HA-Language Arts
• HA-Math
• HA-General Intellectual

Students scoring at the 80th percentile in one or more domains on the full CogAt are further considered for placement through additional identification measures. 

 

• A completed SIGS form (Scales for Identifying Gifted Students) from the child's teacher.
•   Students with SIGS scores above 115 are considered for placement. 
• Achievement data (High ISTEP+, mClass, Acuity, ECA, or PSAT scores)
• Teacher observations, student work samples, etc.

 

When does testing take place and how long does it take?

What if I don’t want my child tested?
Contact your child’s school and request that your child be excused from the screening test for high ability education. 

When will I know if my child has been classified as high ability?
Parents of selected students will be notified by letter in late April.

What if not enough children are high ability learners at a particular school? Will the standards be lowered at some schools?
The identification is a district-wide process and will be the same for all schools.

What if I applied to one of the magnet schools? Will my child still be eligible for a High Ability Center?
Yes. The decisions for the HA center and the magnet schools are entirely separate. 

Why are you starting this program in fourth grade? Why not include younger students?
Identification for younger students is not as reliable. Tests are as likely to under-represent as to over-identify at younger ages.