Hopes are high for a new kind of school in Indianapolis. Purdue Polytechnic High School will open in the 2017-18 school year, admitting its first class of 150 ninth graders on the near Eastside. It is a STEM-focused charter school authorized by Purdue University that will utilize a project-based multidisciplinary curriculum intended to give graduates “deep knowledge, applied skills, and experiences in the workplace.”
The location of the school in the Englewood neighborhood is a deliberate step for Purdue, which is aiming to develop a direct feeder for low-income students and students of color into Purdue Polytechnic Institute in West Lafayette. To that end, the high school will teach to mastery—each student moving on to the next level in a subject once they have demonstrated mastery at the current level. If that requires remediation of work, so be it. The school model is designed to keep students engaged, challenge them to reach their maximum potential, and meet high expectations. More importantly, a high school diploma will be “considered a milestone rather than an end goal,” according to the school’s website. College is the expected next step for all Purdue Polytechnic High School graduates. In fact, the high school’s curriculum is modeled on that of Purdue Polytechnic Institute in order to make the transition between the two seamless—minus 65 miles or so.
Shatoya Jordan and Scott Bess have been chosen to lead the new school as principal and head of school, respectively. Both were recently named to the latest class of Innovation School Fellows by The Mind Trust.
Applications for the first class opened last week and hopes are high that this innovative school model will open new doors for students in need of high quality options. Other states, including Ohio, should take note. This partnership could pay big dividends for Purdue, the community, and most importantly, the many low-income students who will have a new opportunity to advance. Hats off to Purdue for supporting this effort.
