The instructional program of Hammond's public schools is designed to provide a wide range of opportunities for learning. The School City of Hammond is committed to promoting academic achievement, to developing the individual talents and capabilities of each learner, and to encouraging the attitudes and habits of life-long learning.

Special Education for students with disabilities is available at all levels in Hammond's schools. Students are provided an appropriate educational program, including related services necessary for them to benefit from specialized instruction. In addition to services for school-age children, the Special Education Department ensures that diagnostic services are provided for preschool children (ages 0-4 years) with suspected disabling conditions. The department also conducts a program to serve students who are homebound as a result of serious illness or injury.
Connie Manous, Director

Library Media centers in each school provide access to a wide range of materials to supplement and enrich the instructional program, from traditional print to online resources over the Internet. A media specialist in each center provides professional media services for teachers and students, provides instruction in information literacy skills, and administers the media program.

Career and Technical Education programs at the Area Career Center are open to students who are 15 1/2 years old or older with primary concentration on juniors and seniors. Vocational programs are extensions of regular classes at the student's school of record or "home school." Students enroll in a two-year program of their vocational choice to earn certification and credits toward their high school diploma. The Career Center prepares students for job-entry skills and/or the opportunity to enroll in post-secondary technical programs with advanced college credit.
Michael Zimmerman, Director

Title I, a federally funded program, is designed to enable students living in high poverty school areas to meet the state's challenging academic standards. The program provides additional funds for staff, materials, equipment, staff development, and family involvement to eligible schools. Title I services include supplemental instructional assistance, extended day and summer programs, student support facilitators, developmentally appropriate activities for 4-year-old children who will be entering kindergarten in the fall, as well as workshops designed to reinforce the home as a resource to promote learning and success in school.
Nancy Snider, Director

High Ability options for students are offered at each individual Hammond school.  Identification of students with high ability follows the state guidelines at all grade levels with universal screening done in grade two.  High ability students at the elementary level are cluster grouped so that teachers can differentiate within their classrooms daily to meet specific needs in language arts and mathematics.  In addition, the Junior Great Books program is offered in grades 3-5.  Advanced language arts and accelerated mathematics classes are offered at the middle school level.  Advanced Placement (AP) classes are offered at all four high schools.  Extracurricular activities for high ability students include Science Olympiad, Chess, Robotics and the Summer Opportunities for Academic Recognition (SOAR).
Jan Whelan, Director

Bilingual Education, a federally funded program, has been established to meet the language needs of Hammond's language-minority students. The objectives of the program reflect emphasis on language acquisition and development, as well as other skills necessary to function effectively in society and in the work world. Bilingual instructors also provide services to migrant families, including ESL, literacy in either English or Spanish, and training in job skill areas.
Peggy Harrington, Director

Adult Education includes a number of programs for diploma-completion requirements, skill brush-up, hands-on vocational training, and GED preparation. Facilities include daytime learning lab to provide flexible study and scheduling arrangements, a computer-assisted learning lab, and customized programs developed in cooperation with local businesses.
Cynthia Warner, Administrator for Adult Education

Community Education offers courses to meet the needs and interests of individuals to promote habits of life-long learning for self improvement, personal growth, and recreation.
Cynthia Warner, Administrator for Adult Education