Principal's Note:

I'd like to welcome you back to a new school year.  Before the school year began you should have received our back to school message (click to view).  I encourage you to click and re-read the message because it contains a lot of information.  

One of the most impactful academic changes this school year will be Northwestern's inclusion in the pilot of ILEARN Checkpoint testing.  The three things we're  looking most forward to in this inclusion are:  less time on testing, more meaningful and impactful state assesments, and data about student growth throughout the year.  In the past students would take our state assessment at the end of the school year and we'd obtain data that would impact teaching and learning for the next school year.  Now, with 'checkpoints' students will take smaller assessments three times a year that can be used to guide instruction before the end-of-year ILEARN Assessment.  These 'checkpoints' are not shared publicly like the end of the year assessment and do not have an impact on the student's grades.  They are simply to help educators understand how students are learning state standards throughout the school year.  

An additional academic change I'd like to discuss begins with our current 8th grade students. The IDOE  has reintroduced a requirement for a course that we've had in the past at the HS level: "Preparing for College and Careers."  Now, all 8th grade students at NW will be exploring career options, soft skills, and goals for the future to get credit towards this class.  These will include doing projects on soft skills, setting goal sheets, having guest speakers, and visiting Ivy Tech, IUK, a career day, and the Kokomo Career Center. 

Mr. Bishir

N.M.S. Principal

Below is included iLearn Checkpoints for Each Grade Level it's offered: