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ACADEMICS

Northwest Allen County Schools places a strong emphasis on academic excellence, recognizing it as the foundation for student success and lifelong learning. With a dedicated team of educators, robust curricula, and a commitment to continuous improvement, the district strives to create an environment where every student can thrive academically. High standards, innovative teaching methods, and comprehensive support systems are in place to ensure that all students are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their future endeavors. The district's focus on academics is complemented by a wide array of extracurricular activities, fostering a well-rounded educational experience.

  • Indiana Dyslexia Legislation:

    The Indiana General Assembly adopted SEA 217 which requires school districts and charter schools to develop and implement a plan to provide dyslexia screening and interventions to all students in kindergarten through 2nd grade. The screening process does not diagnose dyslexia, but rather identifies core deficits that may be characteristic of having the disorder. In addition to screening and interventions, Indiana law IC 20.35.5, et seq., requires schools to provide parent information about the screenings and results, to report the results of the screenings to IDOE, and to provide professional learning to teachers. School districts and charter schools must also employ at least one authorized reading specialist trained in dyslexia through an IDOE-approved program.

     

    Definition of Dyslexia:
    House enrolled Act 1108 defines dyslexia as a specific learning disability that:

    • Is neurological in origin and characterized by: difficulties with accurate or fluent word recognition and poor spelling and decoding abilities;
    • Typically results from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction;
    • May include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge; and
    • May require the provision of special education services after an eligibility determination is made in accordance with Article 7.

    Click here to learn more about the NACS Dyslexia Screening Process.

  • NACS ELL PROGRAM

    The "Every Student Succeeds Act" (ESSA) requires that all schools develop programming to address the needs of students whose native language is different than English. The NACS ELL program embraces this responsibility and provides comprehensive educational opportunities that support all English language learners as they work toward academic success. Teams of teachers, para-professionals, counselors, coordinators, and administrators are dedicated to this mission and actively participate in creating sound programming that supports all ELL students on their journey to English fluency.

    Over the past 20 years we have seen a consistent increase in this very diverse population representing 67 spoken languages. Currently we have approximately 300 students receiving language acquisition assistance. Students who qualify for services are selected based on information provided by parents/guardians at time of registration on the Home Language Survey and the results of a language communication and comprehension assessment, WIDA screener given within the first 30 days of their enrollment.

    LEP (limited English proficient) students whose language proficiency is between Levels 1-4, according to assessment results, are receiving 30 minutes to one hour of daily English language development instruction. Hampton-Brown/National Geographic ESL materials provide the primary foundation for our language acquisition instruction.

    In 2012, NACS added an ENL class to its high school offerings. This credited class allows LEP students at Levels 1,2 3 & 4 to learn English as a foreign language from a certified teacher. Currently, 3 sections are offered. ALL high school ELL students may also receive additional support from a highly qualified paraprofessional throughout the school day.

    Northwest Allen County Schools is fortunate to have 16 dedicated assistants/teachers providing individual or small group ELL services. ESL staff members receive monthly ELL training and guidance. Once a student has qualified for support services, a team consisting of the classroom teacher, counselor, and ESL staff members meet to create an ILP (individualized learning plan) that guides both classroom instruction and support services. NACS ELL support staff members provide caring and meaningful support for ELL students throughout their academic careers. Many ELL staff and students participate in ELL Summer Camp offered during the summer break. These themed summer opportunities offer relaxed settings for students to continue development of English language skills.

    We currently have over 200 classroom teachers whose classrooms include ELL students. All Northwest Allen County teachers have received training on the ELD WIDA Standards and are encouraged to become actively involved in learning new and better instructional strategies for meeting the needs of their ELL students. Although the rewards of experiencing a child's excitement in learning a new language are great, providing meaningful educational opportunities for all students within their classrooms can be challenging. Many NACS teachers have received and will continue to be trained to differentiate instruction in order to meet the many levels of ability represented in their classroom of students. In 2012 Northwest Allen began to offer sheltered instruction (SIOP) professional development training to address K-12 classroom teacher ELL instructional practices. Throughout this 12 hour course, teachers develop more awareness of the unique academic needs of ELL students and learn instructional strategies that focus on supporting content comprehension these students in their classroom. Teachers completing the course have access to a dedicated SIOP curriculum coach who provides ongoing support for lesson preparation and delivery.

    As previously noted, we have students who would qualify for the ESL program, however have declined services. The language assessment for the majority of these students indicated that they were very close to fluency level. Although not actively participating in support services, their academic progress continues to be closely monitored by school counselors. The educational progress for all qualifying students whether or not they are enrolled is reviewed and monitored throughout each school year and for at least two years after services have ended. Each spring, all students designated as Limited English Proficient (LEP) are given an English Language Proficiency Assessment. The WIDA ACCESS 2.0 assessment is provided by the state and complies with IDOE Title III provisions. Students must receive a score of Level 5 (FEP) to be eligible for exit from ELL programming. NACS, however, continues to offer English language support as needed, throughout an EL student's enrollment in our schools. Northwest Allen County Schools takes great pride in the fact that our ELL students and corporation has consistently met compliance with federal regulations. 

    We are now in our twentieth year as an established ELL program. Although NACS has been successful in much of its programming, we are committed to continuous development of even more effective instruction and support for our growing population of ELL students. NACS has met the challenge of creating a program of merit and substance and I am grateful for each and every one who has helped grow this program and the continued success of our students. 

    Barb Kiplinger 

    (EL director) 


    Check out our Open House Videos

  • Kindergarten Readiness Checklist

     

     

    PRACTICE RESOURCES

    Indicator  Digital/Internet Resources Printable Resources
     Listen to and follow multi-step directions Multistep Directions for Practice Multistep Directions Printable 
    Answer questions posed by adults and peers  150 Creative Questions for kids  
    Stay on topic in two-way conversation that involves multiple turns  How to Teach Staying on Topic Topic Maintenance Railroad
    Communicate actively in group activities  Participates in Group Activities  
     Recognize and identify most uppercase and some lowercase letters How to Teach Letter Recognition in Early Childhood 

    14 Best Alphabet Apps for Kids

    Alphabet tracing book

    10 Playful alphabet activities

    10 Letter recognition activities
    ABC Books
    (scroll to the bottom to download)

    Alphabet Tracing Book
    (scroll to the bottom to download)

    Letter Find Worksheets
    (scroll to the bottom to download)

     
    Simple Letter Find Pages
    (scroll to the bottom to download)
    Recognize and correctly write own name in print  9 Genius Tricks that Help Teach Your Child to Write Their Name 

    A Simple Way to Practice Name Writing

    10 Name Writing Activities for Preschoolers

    Quick Name Activities
    Name Tracing Practice Printable 
     Demonstrate basic knowledge of letter-sound correspondence 14 Phenomenal Phonics Activities for Preschoolers 

    Learning Letter Sounds

    Learning Letter Sounds - YouTube Video

    Best Apps for Letter Names and Sound Recognition
    Write The Beginning Sound Worksheets 
    (Scroll to the bottom. Click "Download the Freebie here"


    Beginning Sounds Worksheets
    (Scroll to the bottom to download)


    Printable for Teaching Letter Sounds
    (Scroll to bottom to download)


    Beginning Sound Picture Sorts
    (Scroll to bottom to download)


    Beginning Sound Coloring Pages
    (Scroll to bottom to download)


    Beginning Sound Parking Lots
    (Scroll to bottom to download)


    Letters and Sounds Game
    (Scroll to bottom to download)
    Answer questions about a story  7 Important Questions to Ask Your Child During Story Time

    Comprehension for Kindergarten

    Kindergarten Reading Skills: Reading Comprehension
    Answer Questions About A Story Worksheets 
  • Reading and Writing Curricula for Northwest Allen County Schools

    • The NACS school board has adopted Wonders, published by McGraw Hill, as the official textbook in support of our reading and writing curricula for kindergarten through fifth grade. NACS teachers have also been trained by the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE) in the Orton-Gillingham literacy approach for kindergarten through third grade.
    • Information regarding remedial programs/support: Students in kindergarten through fifth grade in need of support are provided with additional instructional time with a licensed literacy interventionist based on students’ individual needs as identified through NWEA testing, IRead results, Developmental Reading Assessments, and classroom observations.

    For further information, please contact:

    Dr. Bill Toler, Assistant Superintendent
    bill.toler@nacs.k12.in.us
    260-637-3155
    13119 Coldwater Road
    Fort Wayne, IN 46845

  • Providing an Enriching Accent on Knowledge

    In keeping with the mission of Northwest Allen County Schools to effectively meet the educational needs of all students, many services are provided for high ability students at different educational levels. One of those high ability services in the elementary school is called PEAK. PEAK is for qualified high ability students in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades.

    Philosophy of PEAK: Providing an Enriching Accent on Knowledge

    PEAK is Northwest Allen County School's gifted and talented program for qualified students in grades 3 through 5. NACS is committed to continuous academic growth for all students, including those students who perform at, or show the potential to perform at, an outstanding level of academic accomplishment. All students deserve to have content and instruction on their level, and PEAK aims to meet students' needs through curriculum especially designed with the elementary high ability learner in mind.

    NACS is also committed to the overall growth of the high ability child, including their social and emotional growth. Gifted students must be helped to realize their uniqueness and to learn to be accepting of themselves and others. PEAK provides opportunities for gifted students to develop positive relationships with peers and to gain a sense of personal responsibility.

    NACS follows the Indiana Department of Education's (IDOE) Definition of High Ability as stated below.

    The Indiana Code defines a student with high abilities as one who:

    • performs at or shows the potential for performing at an outstanding level of accomplishment in at least one domain when compared with other students of the same age, experience, or environment; and
    • is characterized by exceptional gifts, talents, motivation, or interests.

    Click here to access more information about PEAK.

  • Northwest Allen County Schools is committed to developing the talent and nurturing the creativity of each learner. As a result, our students receiving special education services and supports are provided with meaningful and engaging opportunities that foster each student as they grow and develop.

    Through collaboration, we develop and provide our students with quality instruction using a variety of research-based methodologies. All of our students are held to high expectations, while valuing inclusion and the participation of all members of the child's team.

     

    Continuum of Services

    NACS offers a full continuum of special education services for our students from age 3 to 21. Special education includes specially designed instruction to meet a student’s unique educational needs, and related services to support a student’s access to their educational program. The services range from support for students placed in general education classroom settings, to self-contained & highly specialized programs for students whose educational needs require more intensive services and supports.


    Click here to learn more about our Special Education program and services.