K–5 Enrichment, Extension, and Acceleration

What are High Ability Supports?

High Ability supports in Porter Township School Corporation provide students with opportunities to extend, deepen, and accelerate learning beyond the grade-level curriculum. Supports are designed for students who demonstrate advanced academic potential or consistently perform above grade-level expectations. Teachers use flexible grouping, differentiated instruction, enrichment activities, advanced questioning, problem-solving, independent learning opportunities, and appropriate acceleration to ensure high ability students are appropriately challenged.

Key Elements of Support

• Flexible small-group instruction
• Curriculum-based enrichment and extension
• Higher-level questioning and academic discussion
• Advanced reading and writing opportunities
• Mathematical reasoning and problem-solving
• Independent research and inquiry
• Technology-based enrichment
• Curriculum acceleration when appropriate
• Cross-curricular projects and authentic problem-solving
• Opportunities for students to demonstrate learning through multiple formats

ELA High Ability Supports — K–5

Porter Township School Corporation uses the Savvas ELA curriculum as the foundation for grade-level instruction while providing high ability students with opportunities for greater depth and complexity. Teachers utilize differentiated texts, advanced questioning, vocabulary development, writing extensions, research, and independent reading to extend grade-level learning. Digital and supplemental resources may be used to provide additional opportunities for students to analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and create.

Examples of K–5 ELA enrichment include:

• Savvas ELA extension activities
• Advanced and differentiated text selections
• Independent reading and research
• Higher-level comprehension and discussion questions
• Advanced vocabulary and language activities
• Extended writing and author studies
• Research and inquiry projects
• Cross-curricular literacy projects
• Digital literacy activities and research
• Student choice projects
• Creative and analytical writing
• Opportunities to analyze multiple texts and perspectives
• Acceleration into advanced grade-level content when appropriate

Math High Ability Supports — K–5

Porter Township School Corporation uses McGraw Hill Reveal Math as the foundation for K–5 mathematics instruction. High ability students receive opportunities to move beyond routine practice through enrichment, mathematical reasoning, complex problem-solving, multiple-solution strategies, and extension activities. Teachers use curriculum resources and available digital platforms to provide differentiated practice and opportunities for students to work with concepts at greater depth or at an accelerated pace when appropriate.

Examples of K–5 Math enrichment include:

• Reveal Math enrichment and extension activities
• Advanced mathematical problem-solving
• Open-ended and multiple-solution problems
• Mathematical reasoning and justification
• Higher-level questioning
• Real-world mathematical applications
• Independent mathematical investigations
• Technology-based math enrichment
• Extension activities through available online math platforms
• Above-grade-level practice when appropriate
• Mathematical games and challenges
• Cross-curricular STEM/problem-solving activities
• Acceleration to more advanced standards when appropriate

Online and Digital Learning Platforms

Porter Township School Corporation also utilizes available online learning platforms to provide differentiated opportunities for high ability students. Teachers may assign appropriately challenging activities based on individual student readiness, allowing students to extend grade-level standards, practice advanced skills, pursue areas of interest, or work toward above-grade-level content.

Digital platforms may be used to provide:

• Individualized learning pathways
• Above-grade-level practice
• Enrichment activities
• Independent research
• Skill extension
• Advanced problem-solving
• Student-choice learning opportunities
• Additional practice based on individual readiness

Vertical Alignment — K–5

High ability support is designed to develop progressively from Kindergarten through Grade 5. As students advance through the elementary grades, expectations increase from exploration and enrichment toward greater independence, complexity, abstract reasoning, research, problem-solving, and, when appropriate, acceleration into advanced content.

The district’s K–5 approach ensures that high ability students are not simply given more work, but are provided opportunities to engage with learning at greater depth, complexity, and appropriate pace.

Grade Band	Primary Focus
K–1	Exploration, questioning, advanced vocabulary, problem-solving, enrichment, and development of independent learning behaviors
2–3	Increased depth of reading, writing, mathematical reasoning, inquiry, research, and curriculum-based enrichment
4–5	Advanced analysis, complex problem-solving, independent research, extended writing, interdisciplinary projects, and appropriate acceleration

Evidence of Implementation

Evidence of high ability curriculum implementation may include:

• Lesson plans showing differentiated enrichment or extension
• Student work demonstrating advanced thinking
• Savvas ELA extension activities
• Reveal Math enrichment and problem-solving activities
• Digital platform assignments
• Student research and inquiry projects
• Advanced writing samples
• Mathematical investigations and problem-solving
• Above-grade-level curriculum assignments
• Student portfolios
• High ability progress-monitoring documentation
• Teacher-created enrichment activities
• Evidence of curriculum acceleration when appropriate

Porter Township School Corporation’s K–5 High Ability Program provides a continuum of enrichment, extension, and acceleration that is embedded within the district’s existing curriculum and instructional practices.

Course offerings

Middle School (6-8)

6th: Math, English/Reading, Science

7th: Math, English/Reading, Science

8th: Algebra, English/Reading, Science

High school (9-12)

Students can earn over 20 college credit hours by the end of senior year.

• Honors, English: English 9H, 10H, 11H, 12H
• Honors, math: Geometry H, Algebra II H, Pre-Calculus H (Algebra and Trigonometry)
• Honors, science: Biology I H, Chemistry I H, Chemistry II H
• Honors, social studies: World History/Civilization Honors
• Dual credit through Ivy Tech, at no cost to students:
  • English 11H: ENGL 111 and ENGL 215 (6 credits)
  • English 12H: ENGL 111 and ENGL 202 (6 credits)
  • Pre-Calculus Algebra, Honors option: MATH 136 (3 credits)
  • Pre-Calculus Trigonometry, Honors option: MATH 137 (3 credits)
  • Calculus H DC: MATH 211 (4 credits)
  • Finite Mathematics: MATH 135 (3 credits)
  • Spanish III H DC: SPAN 101 and 102 (8 credits)
  • Spanish IV H DC: SPAN 201 and 202 (6 credits)
  • US Government H DC: POLS 101 (3 credits)
  • US History H DC: HIST 101 and 102 (6 credits)

High-ability counseling and direct instruction (HS, MS, BGE, PLE)

District-wide (documented). The Porter Township High Ability Identification Process covers all grades and defines high ability in ELA, math, or both.

HS direct instruction. English 11H and 12H are explicitly tied to high ability. The 11H description says the dual credit option is for “juniors in high ability” or seniors recommended by a teacher. 

Counseling. The BGHS  supplies academic, personal, social/emotional, and college and career counseling, with counselors meeting students several times a year and insuring that High Ability students pursue the proper course loads and requirements. Students can also message counselors. 

College and career readiness (HS)

• Dual credit: the Ivy Tech partnership described above.
• Guidance resources: graduation resources, college planning, financial aid, scholarships, SAT/ACT information, transcript requests, and college and military rep lunch visits.
• Planning links: Learn More Indiana (dual credit, Career Discovery, choosing a college, paying for college), Common App, and virtual campus tours.
• Career and trades: the Porter County CTE Center, NWI Trades information, and a trade school resource.
• FAFSA: 2026 FAFSA completion badge.
• Events: the school calendar shows PSAT testing for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors on Oct 7-8, and a Valparaiso University Express Enrollment on Oct 6.
• Courses:
  • Career Information and Exploration
  • Career Exploration Internship (1-6 credits)
  • CCR Bridge: Math Ready
  • Intro to Business, Principles of Business Management, Marketing Fundamentals
  • Intro to Entrepreneurship
  • Cadet Teaching and Peer Tutoring
  • Intro to Computer Science
  • Personal Financial Responsibility