MVCSC High Ability Mission Statement

Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation will provide support and guidance to all identified high ability students, as well as appropriate educational experiences according to their academic ability. We recognize that high ability students are found in all racial, cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic populations. We are committed to an educational program that provides a challenging, differentiated curriculum through a wide range of services to all of our high ability students.  

A High Ability Learner is defined as: According to Indiana Code, a high ability student is one who: “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 is characterized by exceptional gifts, talents, motivation, or interests.” (IC 20-36-1-3) 
 

Goals of High Ability Instruction

• To develop the students' academic skills, higher level thinking skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation through an accelerated and enriched program. This is accomplished by:

             *  emphasizing higher level thinking skills and problem-solving

             *  open-ended questions and activities

             *  collaboration, group interaction

             *  multi-disciplinary and multi-sensory approach

             *  student choices

             *  study skills - organization, research and questioning strategies

• To systematically identify students who demonstrate outstanding achievement or the potential ability to achieve in academic areas, including math and English/language arts

• To continually revise and improve our high ability program through a systematic evaluation process

• To encourage broad-based community participation and support in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of our program
   

Elementary Schools

Through differentiation of instruction, co-teaching and small group pull out, students in grades K-5 will be provided an academically rich and challenging experience.
 

Middle School

Students at the Mt. Vernon Middle School will be provided a challenging and rigorous curriculum through ability clustered courses and honors courses.
 

High School

Honors classes, advanced college credit courses, or the advanced placement classes are offered for high school high ability learners. High ability learners have a number of options for academic achievement during their high school years. Please speak with your school counselor to learn more about course options, graduation requirements, and college prerequisites and opportunities.