Students New to the School City of Hammond (K-12)

• Screening Process for New Students
  • Students enrolling in the School City of Hammond (SCH) may be considered for placement in the High Ability program if they meet the district’s identification criteria. Parents must first enroll the student in an SCH school and provide proof of residency. Testing records will be requested from the previous school, but parents are encouraged to submit these records to expedite the screening process.  Incoming students are assessed according to the district's identification timeline and on an ongoing basis throughout the school year to ensure proper placement. If additional testing is necessary, the committee will arrange for further evaluation.
• Students Previously Identified as High Ability
  • Placement in a High Ability program in another school district does not guarantee placement in SCH’s High Ability program. School districts often use different measures and criteria for identification. The SCH Identification Committee will review scores from comparable assessments completed at the previous school and determine if they meet SCH’s standards for placement. If the student’s existing data does not clearly meet SCH criteria, additional testing may be conducted.
• Placement Decisions
  • Placement decisions are made to ensure the best fit for the student’s academic needs. If a student’s placement needs to be adjusted, the decision will be made following a discussion involving the teacher, parent, student, counselor, and High Ability Coordinator.
• Appeals Process
  • Parents who wish to appeal a placement decision may submit an appeal form detailing their reasons for reconsideration. The High Ability Identification Committee will review the appeal and the student’s records and provide a written decision. Appeal deadlines and forms are available on the district website.