High Ability

High Ability Education Westville Schools

The MSD New Durham School District recognizes that regardless of student socio-economic, cultural, or ethical backgrounds, some students will perform, show the potential to perform, or display an outstanding level of performance in the core academic areas of math and/or English Language Arts.  It is our mission to appropriately identify these students using systematic, on-going procedures and deliver challenging, engaging learning opportunities.  These enhanced learning opportunities will allow for the maximization of their potential academically, socially, and emotionally and help support the development of healthy, contributing citizens in a global society.


The MSD New Durham School District is committed to the following:

  • Students will be unbiasedly identified using research based, reliable, and valid procedures.

  • A range of evidence based  instructional strategies will be provided to meet the diverse needs of high ability students.

  • A variety of programing options will be utilized to ensure that high ability students are provided advanced instruction in an environment that supports maximum growth in the following areas:  academic, social, emotional, leadership, and communication skills. 

  • Professional development is necessary and will be provided for staff to ensure that the academic, social, and emotional needs of both the general education and high ability students’ needs are being met.

The identification process used to identify our high ability students, is as follows: 
CoGat Cognitive Test scores (Grades Kindergarten, 2nd and 5th)
NWEA scores (Grades K-6)
Star Reader Assessment data (Grades 3rd-6th) 
Teacher recommendation (Grades K-6th)
SAGES: Screening Assessments for Gifted Elementary & Middle school Students (K-6 As needed)


Programs for High Ability Students:
Each teacher works to differentiate their instruction within their classroom using this data. In grades 3rd-6th, students are grouped into their current levels for 30-45 minutes daily. 

Depending upon High Ability funding, additional enrichment opportunities provided to our identified High Ability students include:
“Westville Reads” book clubs for 3rd-6th grade students
“Name That Book Competition” for 6th grade students
“Brain Boosters” for 1st-3rd grade students
“Challenger Space Mission”  for 5th and 6th grade students.
“Maker’s Space” for 3rd-4th students
“Science Olympiad” for 6th grade students (through High School)