High Ability Program Eligibility

• Accelerated learning pace
• Talent growth opportunities

• Courses are specifically designed for high-ability students, with on-site staff available to help support the unique social and emotional needs of gifted learners.
• Students are empowered to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens within a positive and supportive atmosphere. 
• Teachers are given some autonomy in selecting projects and assignments that are appropriate for students’ specific learning needs.
• Onsite counselors and social workers help support the unique social and emotional needs of gifted learners in a variety of ways to help them grow.

The High Ability learning model recognizes that students need a tailored curriculum that will address their individual characteristics, needs, academic abilities, and interests. Teachers routinely work with the district’s high-ability coordinator and coaches to create learning experiences that will allow these students to develop to their full potential and are trained to evaluate situations where students may need subject acceleration due to advanced understanding of the subject matter.

• Merle Sidener Academy 59 | Grades 1–5 | All Zones
• H. L. Harshman Middle School | Grades 6-8 | All Zones (High Ability); Zones 3 & 4 (Dual Language)

Note: Students must qualify as high ability in either math or ELA or both to enter this program. Please contact IPS at 317-226-4000 or email giftedandtalented@myips.org for more information.

An appeal process is in place in the event the identification team does not place a child in services and a teacher, parent/guardian, or other person close to the child challenges this decision. To appeal the following steps must be completed:

1. The petitioner completes an appeal request form. Appeals must include alternate nationally normed standardized testing not originally considered. Students must score at the 9th stanine to qualify for high ability. Forms submitted after December 20, 2025, will not be considered.
2. The District identification team reconvenes to consider new data. The identification team includes district high ability coordinator, English as a New Language staff, Teaching & Learning coordinators, school administrators, school counselors and classroom teachers. This meeting may include an interview with the student and/or petitioners.
3. Identification team reports results to the coordinator.
4. The District High Ability Coordinator reports results in approximately 30 days to the petitioner. 
5. The decision of the identification team is final. 

If families have a student who they believe is high ability and have testing scores from another school district or psychologist, they may submit testing results for review by the district high ability identification committee. Determination of high ability identification takes approximately thirty days. To submit testing scores, please submit the Request for Testing form.

Families new to IPS may also leverage this avenue for testing.

We will test students as indicated one evening of each month from 4:30-6:30pm at Sidener Academy. Students will be tested by invitation only. 

Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) is pleased to offer high ability programming across the district. For students in elementary and middle school the district offers self-contained high ability programming at Sidener Elementary School and Harshman Middle School. In addition, schools across the district support high ability students in a variety of ways including cluster grouping, differentiation, and enrichment groups.