Curriculum

Testing at IHM

At IHM we use quarterly assessments, NWEA and ISTEP testing data to help evaluate progress and determine areas for improvement. Students participate in NWEA evaluations three times throughout the year, quarterly assessments,  and ISTEP annually. 

Immaculate Heart of Mary School has earned the highest ISTEP+ and ILEARN test scores in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis for the past two years and was ranked 10th in the state of Indiana, out of the 1,778 schools who took the ILEARN state assessment in spring 2019 for percentage of students passing both Engligh Language Arts and Mathematics. 

It is no secret that we have an amazing program here at Immaculate Heart of Mary, nor is it a secret how hard our students and staff work. All of the awards, the test scores, A-ratings are just one of the many testaments to the great work happening at IHM. We are so proud of each and every one of our students and staff. We hope you visit us to learn more about our outstanding academic program!

Leveling & Differentiated Instruction

IHM uses NWEA testing data along with various benchmarks, including quarterly assessments, teacher input and observation to create a system of student leveling in our Math & Reading programs and differentiated instruction in all subject areas.

The practice of leveling and differentiated instruction allows our staff to focus on each students’ individual needs, helping every child to grasp each concept fully to build a foundation of strong comprehension and retention.

We utilize NWEA assessment data, which is collected three times throughout the school year, to continually assess and identify student strengths and areas of need so that we can meet a student where they are and help them to advance, maximizing each child’s academic potential.

STEM & Project Lead the Way

Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is an organization that develops STEM (Science/Technology/Engineering/Math) curricula with a mission to prepare students for the global economy. All IHM students, K-8th grade, have the opportunity to participate in PLTW as a part of their STEM class in our state-of-the-art lab built in the summer of 2016. It is our goal, through STEM and PLTW, to teach our students essential problem-solving strategies and life-long skills. STEM encourages our students to think critically and creatively, to communicate and collaborate with others and to embrace the process of learning from failure. PLTW empowers our children and helps them to become better learners, problem solvers and critical thinkers, which we believe will be essential skills in the modern world.

Leader in Me Program:

The Leader in Me is a whole school transformation process that teaches 21st century leadership and life skills to students and creates a culture of student empowerment based on the idea that every child can be a leader. The process teaches students the skills needed for academic success in any setting. These skills include critical thinking, goal setting, listening and speaking, self-directed learning, presentation-making and the ability to work in groups.

Student Success in the 21st Century

Leader in Me helps schools create well-rounded learners by developing the whole-person and preparing students to become life-ready leaders.

Leader in Me unites students, staff, and families around a common goal to prepare students with college, career, and life-readiness skills that are necessary to thrive in today’s ever-changing, fast-paced environment, like:

  • Critical Thinking
  • Creativity
  • Self-Discipline
  • Vision
  • Initiative
  • Communication
  • Relationship Building
  • Goal Achievement
  • Public Speaking
  • Global Awareness
  • Social and Emotional Awareness
  • Teamwork
  • Listening Skills
  • Time Management
  • Leading Projects
  • Self-Directed Learning
  • Valuing Diversity
  • Problem Solving