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MSD of Decatur Township Launches the Decatur High Ability Academy as an Innovation School for Grades 3-6
The Decatur High Ability Academy will be the first innovation school in Marion County located outside of Indianapolis’ Center Township.
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(December 16, 2022) – INDIANAPOLIS – The MSD of Decatur Township, with support of The Mind Trust, announced today the launch of the Decatur High Ability Academy (DHAA) into an innovation school for the 2023-2024 school year and beyond. The transition will expand enrollment to students who live outside of MSD Decatur Township boundaries. This provides more high ability students the opportunity to experience the district’s unique and rigorous project-based learning programming in a free public school.
“The Decatur High Ability Academy has been a successful program here in Decatur Township over the last two years, excelling in meeting the needs of our high ability students. We are excited to take this next step to expand enrollment to benefit more students, enhance our facilities, and increase staff as an innovation school,” said Dr. Prusiecki, Superintendent of the MSD of Decatur Township.
About the Decatur High Ability Academy
The Decatur High Ability Academy is currently a program serving high ability students in grades 3-6, within the MSD of Decatur Township. On December 13, the Decatur Township School Board voted to approve transitioning the program into an innovation school at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year.
Innovation schools are public schools that, under Indiana law, have the autonomy to make decisions at the school-level. As an innovation school, the DHAA will be part of MSD Decatur Township and will be able to make decisions on curriculum, staffing, and other operational choices that best meet the needs of their students. The enrollment and academic achievement scores for the DHAA will count in MSD Decatur Township totals. The DHAA will be the first innovation school in Marion County located outside of Center Township.
The DHAA, located in the Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township in Indianapolis, brings together a varied mix of high-achieving, intellectually-gifted students from diverse backgrounds to create an exceptional learning community. Decatur’s approach to education involves an application of learning that challenges all high ability students, while allowing them to work together to achieve new levels of excellence.
The rigorous curriculum includes project-based learning, ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies. The school offers electives such as Project Lead the Way, Foreign Language, Maker Space, and more. Students learn using state of the art technology tools including iPads, MacBooks, Apple Pencils, virtual reality, and 3D printers, while collaborating to apply learning in the real world through investigation of grade level themes. The Decatur Township School Board is committed to providing additional space and funds to support increased enrollment.
The Mind Trust, an Indianapolis-based education nonprofit, supported MSD Decatur Township with guidance on launching a new, high-quality innovation school. Since 2015, The Mind Trust has supported the launch of more than 25 innovation network schools in partnership with Indianapolis Public Schools.
“The Mind Trust is proud to support MSD Decatur Township in launching the Decatur High Ability Academy as an innovation network school. Students and families from across Marion County will benefit from DHAA’s rigorous curriculum, project-based learning experiences, and vision for supporting the unique needs of high ability learners. We look forward to continuing our support of their work and seeing the ways they will positively impact their students,” said Brandon Brown, CEO of The Mind Trust.
Enrolling at the Decatur High Ability Academy
The DHAA is now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 school year for students outside of the district who will be in grades 3-6. Acceptance decisions are made after a holistic review of student grades and standardized test scores, discipline and attendance records, and teacher recommendations.
The application for admission can be accessed at this link. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Completion of the application is the first step of the enrollment process only and does not guarantee a child's enrollment.
The DHAA is tuition-free. All enrolled students will receive 1:1 technology. Out-of-district transportation options may be available. Interested families can learn more about the DHAA at www.decaturproud.org/DHAA or by calling the High Ability Coordinators at 317-856-2109 ext. 02310.
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About MSD Decatur Township
The MSD of Decatur Township is student invested,community connected. Decatur Township prioritizes student learning, safety and customer service, and fostering a support system for our families. Located on the southwest side of Indianapolis, Decatur Township is proud to serve thousands of elementary, middle, and high school students and families. The district vision is Preparing Students to be Tomorrow Ready. Together, we are DECATUR PROUD! Learn more at www.decaturproud.org.
Additional Links:
Decatur High Ability Academy Website
MEDIA CONTACT:
Emily LeMay, Director of Student & Family Engagement MSD of Decatur Township
317-856-5265
