Welcome to the East Allen County Schools High Ability Education information site.  Through the information found on this site, it is our hope that parents, staff members, and all other stakeholders will gain a better understanding of high ability education in our district.  Our high ability program is titled EDGE, an acronym that stands for Excellence and Diversity in Gifted Education.  If you ever have any questions or concerns about the EDGE program, please feel free to contact Mrs. Staci Salzbrenner, High Ability Instructional Coach for East Allen County Schools, at ssalzbrenner@eacs.k12.in.us or 260-446-0100 ext. 3155.

East Allen County Schools Mission Statement:
The mission of East Allen County Schools is to inspire in all students a passion for learning while developing knowledge, skills and character necessary to become responsible contributors to the local and global society.

East Allen County Schools High Ability Education (EDGE) Mission Statement:
The mission of East Allen County Schools High Ability Education is to provide educational choices which will engage, challenge and support high ability learners to reach their full intellectual, social-emotional, and creative potential.

Definition of High Ability
*The Indiana Code defines a student with high abilities as one who
1.  performs at or shows the potential for performing  at an outstanding  level of accomplishment in at least one domain when compared with other students the same age, experience, or environment: and
2.  is characterized  by exceptional gifts, talents, motivation, or interests.

Rationale
Gifted performance results from a complex interaction of human qualities­ intellectual, emotional, family and culture relationships, and educational strategies and methods.  It is the relationship between an individual with various potentials and a world with various possibilities that may either lead to high level of gifted performance, or to undeveloped and under-used potentials.   The challenge is to find an equitable way to allow all children with high abilities the opportunity to participate in experiences designed to maximize the development of their potential. Well-designed curriculum and well-prepared teachers are essential to provide appropriate educational experiences.