Academic Programs
Portage Township Schools offers a number of unique programs that enhance and enrich the academic experience for our students. These programs operate in coordination with our curriculum to offer our students additional support and opportunities throughout their academic careers. View each of our programs below.
High Ability Program
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 others of the same age, experience, or environment.”
Students can be identified for the High Ability Program through one of the following six pathways:
For High Ability Identification in Math:
Through Performance: An outstanding score (96th percentile or higher) on a norm-referenced measure of math achievement
Through Potential: An outstanding score (96th percentile or higher) on a norm-referenced measure of quantitative reasoning or a composite measure of quantitative/nonverbal reasoning
Through Additional Data: When a child’s score on either the norm referenced measure of achievement or reasoning falls just below the cutoff, additional data in the form of teacher rating scales or classroom work samples will be reviewed to determine appropriate placement.
For High Ability Identification in Language Arts:
Through Performance: An outstanding score (96th percentile or higher) on a norm-referenced measure of reading and language achievement
Through Potential: An outstanding score (96th percentile or higher) on a norm-referenced measure of verbal reasoning.
Through Additional Data: When a child’s score on either the norm referenced measure of achievement or reasoning falls just below the cutoff, additional data in the form of teacher rating scales or classroom work samples will be reviewed to determine appropriate placement.
The district recognizes that cognitive growth is not always consistent. To ensure all students are receiving appropriate curriculum and instruction, they will be systematically evaluated for instructional placement in Kindergarten, 2nd, and 5th grade. Academic placement decisions may be modified in accordance with changes in students’ learning profiles as they progress through elementary and middle school.
Students can be identified for the High Ability Program through one of the following six pathways:
For High Ability Identification in Math:
Through Performance: An outstanding score (96th percentile or higher) on a norm-referenced measure of math achievement
Through Potential: An outstanding score (96th percentile or higher) on a norm-referenced measure of quantitative reasoning or a composite measure of quantitative/nonverbal reasoning
Through Additional Data: When a child’s score on either the norm referenced measure of achievement or reasoning falls just below the cutoff, additional data in the form of teacher rating scales or classroom work samples will be reviewed to determine appropriate placement.
For High Ability Identification in Language Arts:
Through Performance: An outstanding score (96th percentile or higher) on a norm-referenced measure of reading and language achievement
Through Potential: An outstanding score (96th percentile or higher) on a norm-referenced measure of verbal reasoning.
Through Additional Data: When a child’s score on either the norm referenced measure of achievement or reasoning falls just below the cutoff, additional data in the form of teacher rating scales or classroom work samples will be reviewed to determine appropriate placement.
The district recognizes that cognitive growth is not always consistent. To ensure all students are receiving appropriate curriculum and instruction, they will be systematically evaluated for instructional placement in Kindergarten, 2nd, and 5th grade. Academic placement decisions may be modified in accordance with changes in students’ learning profiles as they progress through elementary and middle school.
For more information on this process, please contact the High Ability Coordinator, Linda Williams, at (219)764-6208 or email [email protected].
Special Education Services
Portage Township Schools provides a variety of special education services for our students in pre-k through 12th grade. Students receiving special education services will meet with their teacher of record each year to determine the services needed and how your child's individual needs will be met. Services are provided by PTS staff in collaboration with Porter County Education Services. Evaluations and specialty services, such as speech therapy and occupational therapy, are contracted through PCES.
For questions regarding Special Education services at Portage Township Schools, please contact Special Education Coordinator Lisa Flynn at [email protected] or by calling (219)762-6511.
For questions regarding evaluations and other services supplied by PCES, please contact their staff at (219)464-9607.
21st Century Scholars Program
Learn More Indiana is proud to offer the 21st Century Scholars Program. The program offers activities to high school and college students to help them stay on track for college and career success. Scholarships to designated Indiana schools are available to those who successfully participate in the program. Students must register in either 7th or 8th grade and meet the income and academic eligibility requirements in order to participate. Visit their website at https://learnmoreindiana.org/students-families/ to learn more and apply.
Dual Credit Courses at Portage High School
Dual credit courses allow our Portage High School students to earn college credits by taking high school classes. By earning dual credits in high school, students looking to pursue a degree in college can potentially save time and money at their university of choice. Dual credit opportunities are available at Portage High School through Indiana University, Indiana University Northwest, Ivy Tech, Purdue University, and Vincennes University.
We strongly advise students to visit www.transferin.net to see how credits transfer within the state of Indiana. It is important that students contact potential universities to determine if the credits will transfer to your intended school and apply to courses required for your intended major. Visit the high school's website for more information on our dual credit courses.
Project Lead the Way
PLTW-Project Lead the Way, is a premier STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) curriculum. PLTW courses focus on:
• Computer Science
• Computer Integrated Manufacturing
• Engineering Design and Development
• Biomedical Sciences
To learn more about Project Lead the Way, go to www.pltw.org
Check us out in the PLTW blog!
English Learner Information
EL Services for PTS Website
● Our teaching philosophy (home page) -
The English Learner (EL) Program is another piece of the students’ support
system here at PTS so that they can understand, use, and master academic
English in Social and Instructional English as well as the Language of Language
Arts, Science, Math, and Social Studies. We engage our students through Reading
and Listening projects and activities to elicit academic English through Writing
and Speaking. EL services at PTS are designed to, “simplify the language, but
NOT to simplify the content.”
● EL Program FAQs:
○ How does a child get selected and qualify for EL services?
In order to be eligible for EL services, first the student must have a completed Home
Language Survey that states the student participates in another language outside of school.
Students are then given the WIDA Screener, and English language proficiency assessment. If
the student’s score is less than 5, then the student qualifies for EL services.
○ When is the family made aware of the student qualifying for EL services?
A letter is sent home every year that the student qualifies for EL services.
○ How is student progress measured?
Every year during the winter, students who qualify for EL services take the ACCESS test
to measure the student’s growth in academic English.
○ How does a student exit services?
If the student earns a composite score of 5 on the ACCESS test, then they will begin to
exit the EL Program. Students are monitored for 2 years to support them in case they still need
academic support.