HIGH ABILITY

Since 1981, BCSC has been providing opportunities for high-ability learners.

Explore this webpage to learn about options for high ability learners and the identification process.

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)

Testing Schedule

2025-2026 High Ability Testing Window: November 10-21, 2025

Registration for High Ability Open Testing is now closed. The next opportunity for open testing will be May 27-28, 2026. A link to register for those testing dates will be available on this website from April 20- May 8, 2026.

Have Questions About Testing?

Amy Elsbury

High Ability Coordinator

Email: elsburya@bcsc.k12.in.us

High Ability Goals at BCSC

To develop K-12 students to apply higher-order thinking skills, increase depth of understanding, and pursue intellectual potential through high-quality instruction and rigorous curriculum within a Universally Designed Learning environment. This is accomplished by:

Applying skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation
Engagement in developing solutions
Responding to open-ended questions and activities
Collaboration and group interaction
Experiencing a multi-disciplinary approach
Maximizing student choice
Developing expert learner qualities

Systematically identify students who demonstrate outstanding achievement or the potential ability to achieve in the academic areas of math and English/language arts.
Providing appropriate academic programming for students identified as high ability.
Continually revise and improve our high ability program through a systematic evaluation process.
Encourage broad-based community participation and support in the planning, implementation and evaluation of our program.

Identification Process

Definition:

BCSC adheres to the Indiana definition of a high ability student as one who "performs at or show the potential to perform at an outstanding level of accomplishment in math and/or English/language arts when compared to others."

Goal:

To provide a fair and equitable identification process that includes a multifaceted assessment approach that includes achievement and cognitive measures

Assessment Process:

All students in grades 3-8 will complete the ILEARN Checkpoints. Kindergarten students will complete the NWEA MAP Test.
In November, BCSC students in Kindergarten, 3rd and 6th grade will complete the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) at school.
Grade 3 and 6 students will also perform a BCSC math performance task and a BCSC writing prompt.

Identification Criteria:

Students scoring in the 96th percentile or higher on the CogAT are automatically identified as high ability in Math, in English/Language Arts, or in both - General Intellect.

Students scoring in the 94th - 95th percentile on the CogAT AND 96th percentile or above in the same content area on the ILEARN Checkpoints will be automatically identified as High Ability in Math, in English/language arts, or in both - General Intellect.

Students scoring in the 85th percentile or higher are submitted to the High Ability Identification Committee, where their test performance, math task, writing prompt, and a teacher rating scale are reviewed.

Communication:

Families of Kindergarten, 3rd and 6th grade BCSC students will receive email communication in March with results of the high ability identification process.

Appeals:

Any family may appeal the Identification Committee’s decision by completing the appeal form located on the BCSC website. Additional information will be obtained, and the Appeals Committee, made up of BCSC personnel that might include teachers, counselors, instructional coaches, and/or administrators, will re-evaluate the student’s portfolio.

Change of identification will either be granted or denied.

If a change of identification is granted, parents will be notified and educational options will be communicated.

If the change is denied, Parents will be notified, and the decision-making process ends for that student.

Open Testing and Retesting Guidelines

BCSC students may retest one (1) time as a 4th or 5th grader.

BCSC middle school students in grades 7 and 8 may retest one time between and including summer testing prior to their 7th grade year and summer testing prior to their 8th grade year.

Non-BCSC 3rd - 6th Grade Students may test two (2) times during open testing sessions offered between and including during their 3th grade year and during their 6th grade year with a $25 charge (cash or check made out to: BCSC Fund 2949.)

Non-BCSC 7th - 8th Grade Students may test two (2) times during open testing sessions offered between and including during their 6th grade year and summer testing prior to their 8th grade year with a $25 charge (cash or check made out to: BCSC Fund 2949.)

Identification will be made following the process outlined in "Identification Process."

What to bring to open testing:

two No. 2 sharpened pencils with erasers
ear buds with 3.5 mm plug
a leak-proof water bottle
a book to read if the tester finishes a test section early

Self-Contained High Ability Program

The Academic Challenge Program offers self-contained classrooms that strive to meet the needs of high-ability learners. Students must be assessed and identified as a general intellectual high ability learner (high ability in both math and English/language arts) to participate in the AC Program. Visit the Testing & Identification page of this site to learn more about this process.

The Elementary Academic Challenge (AC) Program hosts an informational meeting each year in the spring.

High Ability Middle School Information and Contacts

Both middle schools, Northside and Central, have a self-contained high-ability middle school program for grades seven and eight. This program offers inclusion within a high-ability team. Further questions should be directed to:

Central Middle School

Jay Payne

Principal

Phone: (812) 376-4282

Email: paynej@bcsc.k12.in.us

Northside Middle School

Evan Burton

Principal

Phone: (812) 376-4438

Email: burtone@bcsc.k12.in.us

High Ability Secondary Information and Contacts

High-ability learners have several options for academic achievement during their high school years.

Both high schools offer honors classes, advanced college credit courses, or advanced placement (AP) classes for high school high-ability learners. Please speak with your school counselor to learn more about course options, graduation requirements, and college prerequisites and opportunities. Further questions should be directed to:

Columbus North High School

Emily Tucker

Director of Guidance

Phone: (812) 376-4360

Email: tuckere@bcsc.k12.in.us

Columbus East High School

Kristin Beck

Director of Counseling

Phone: (812) 376-4292

Email: beckk@bcsc.k12.in.us

High Ability Program Program Contact Information

Coordinator

Amy Elsbury

Phone: (812) 314-3849

Email: elsburya@bcsc.k12.in.us

Administrative Assistant

Kelly Weed

Phone: (812) 314-3881

Email: weedk@bcsc.k12.in.us

Administration

Dr. Laura Hack

Director of Elementary Education

Phone: (812) 376-4392

Email: hackl@bcsc.k12.in.us

Charles Edwards

Director of Secondary Education

Phone: (812) 376-4469

Email: edwardsc@bcsc.k12.in.us

Broad-Based Planning Committee

The BBPC represents stakeholders, and its purpose is to plan and review the continuous development and implementation of the services and programs for high-ability students. The committee can recommend policies to the local governing body. The committee serves as the:

Sounding board for programmatic ideas
Keeper of the vision for high ability education
Assessor of the degree to which program goals are being met
Driving force behind improvement
Support for high-ability services
Representation of key stakeholders

Teacher Resources

Please view the following websites and materials for use with your high-ability students!

The National Association for Gifted Children

The National Association for Gifted Children invests all of its resources to train teachers, encourage parents, and educate administrators and policymakers on developing and supporting gifted children and what's at stake if high-potential learners are not challenged and encouraged.

Indiana Association for the Gifted

Indiana Association for the Gifted educates and advocates for meeting the academic and social/emotional needs of gifted youth.

Byrdseed

Byrdseed is dedicated to differentiating instruction for high-level learners. Learn new ideas, share knowledge, and grow as an educator.

Hoagies' Gifted Education

Hoagies' Gifted Education Page is the all-things-gifted site, full of resources, articles, books, and links to help and support parents, teachers, and gifted children. Pick your path, and explore them all!