Intermediate grade students learn basic language arts, mathematics, science and social studies core curriculum skills articulated in the Language Arts Curriculum Standards Guide adopted by the Board of Education. Character education traits are integrated into the social studies curriculum. Students learn related curriculum (art, music, physical education, and applied technology) skills from a staff of related curriculum teachers. Each student is assigned to one related curriculum experience each day. Throughout the course of the year, each student receives nine weeks of instruction in each related curriculum area. They learn basic core curriculum skills in a continuous progress philosophy. Students are assigned to heterogeneously grouped classrooms and taught utilizing a team approach to instruction.

Assessment of Standards

Assessment data is a significant component of the fourth, fifth and sixth-grade program. Much of the assessment is focused on performance – what students can do rather than what they know. Students are given a series of formative assessments to determine what standards they already have mastered, they do not spend their time learning something they already know. In this situation, instruction focuses on the next standard on the continuum. If the test shows they have not mastered the standard, they receive additional instruction on that standard. Intermediate grade students are formally assessed in nine-week grading periods in each of the core curriculum areas. Students with high ability levels are challenged to learn core curriculum skills at their level of ability. South Grove Elementary School follows the Beech Grove City Schools Program Plan for High Ability Students. Students with low achievement levels receive remediation articulated in the Beech Grove City Schools Program Plan for Low Achieving Students. Intermediate grade students participate daily in “LEARNING CONNECTION” activities that focus on core curriculum standards. Teachers utilize a variety of instructional strategies that include enrichment and remediation activities.

Support Services

Sixth-grade students may elect band or choir as an additional learning opportunity. Students with individual or group counseling needs are eligible for in-school counseling services. A special education teacher is available to work with students who have learning handicaps. A home school advisor is available to work with students, parents, and staff to provide assistance for attendance and behavior problems. A nursing assistant is available to work with students, parents, and staff to provide information about healthy living habits and to support students who are ill. An English as a Second Language Assistant is available to work with non-English speaking students