• Special Programs

  • Bloomington Public Schools serves students with a variety of abilities and needs. The district is committed to meeting the needs of all students. Special programming is available at every level to give students the supports neccessary to achieve.

    Academically Advanced Programs

    We recognize that some students have specific academic talents and need to be challenged at high levels. District 87 provides differentiated programming for students in reading and mathematics.

    Bloomington Public Schools will:

    • Use a variety of assessments on an ongoing basis to identify the unique needs of students.
    • Ensure ongoing staff development opportunities to prepare district educators to provide appropriate differentiated instruction based on student strengths and needs.
    • Offer students appropriate modifications and extensions of the standard curriculum including interaction with peers with similar strengths, needs and interests.
    • Create opportunities for students to use the community as a resource in the development of their interests and talents.
    • Challenge students to develop creativity, expand problem-solving skills, pursue independent study and explore personal interests beyond the standard curriculum.
    • Assist all students in fulfilling their academic potential.


    Elementary

    Students at the elementary level are placed in classrooms with teachers who have been trained to differentiate instruction for students with academic talents. The classroom teacher uses his/her expertise to determine ways to differentiate lessons and activities to meet the needs of these students. Not all lessons, assignment and activities are differentiated. Students at the fifrh grade can also participate in higher level classes at the middle school.

    Middle School

    At the middle school level, students often participate in higher level classes. Students have the opportunity to earn high school honors credits while at Bloomington Junior High School. For more information about course options, visit the BJHS website.

    High School

    At the high school level, students may participate in honors coursework. Honors courses provide additional challenges for students with academic talents. Bloomington High School also offers a variety of Advanced Placement (AP) courses. These high level courses offer students the option of earning college credit by passing an advanced placement test at the end of the semester. For more information about honors and AP courses, visit the BHS website.

    Reading Intervention Program

    All elementary schools periodically assess students' reading skills to ensure that all students are making progress in building reading skills. Sometimes students have difficulty strengthening their reading skills. We believe that it is important to provide intervention for students who begin to struggle with reading.

    Bloomington Public Schools provides reading intervention in two main ways:

    Before or After School Reading Programs - Several schools use grant funds to provide before or after school reading programs for students. Teachers identify students who would benefit from additional reading instruction and practice. These students are invited to participate in a program meeting for 45 minutes to an hour. Students work in small groups with a certified teacher on lessons and activities designed to boost their skills.

    Title I or Reading Improvement Reading Intervention - Several schools have Title I or Reading Improvement teachers who assess students periodically and work with small groups of students to improve their reading skills. Reading intervention generally takes place during the school day. These Reading Interventionists are specially trained to identify the specific difficulties that students have and to devise lessons to help students improve. Reading Interventionists also work closely with the child's classroom teacher.

    Bloomington Junior High School supports the improvement of reading skills by offering courses taught by reading specialists to students in grades 6 through 8.  In addition, Bloomington High School offers a Techniques in Reading course for 9th grade students in need of additional reading instruction.