Mississinewa High School received a full endorsement as an Early College High School by the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) located at the University of Indianapolis.
Under the leadership of Principal Steve Quaderer and Assistant Superintendent Lezlie Winter, Mississinewa High School joins 35 other “Early Colleges” throughout the State of Indiana who have achieved this designation. Mississinewa High School is the only high school in Grant County to receive this designation, according to school officials.
“Mississinewa High School is to be commended for providing this outstanding opportunity for students to get a head start on their post-secondary studies,” said Sandy Hillman, CELL Director of Early College. “Their partnership with Ivy Tech allows students to earn credit in general education courses which will meet virtually all freshman year requirements in public universities in Indiana.”
Endorsed Early Colleges provide opportunities for students to earn college credits, technical certificates and even Associate Degrees while in high school. Early Colleges must show integrity to implementing eight core principles – targeted student populations, curriculum/plan of study, college-going culture, rigorous instruction, support for student success, collaboration and partnerships, leadership and staffing and data collection, analysis and use.
“I am so proud of the work our team has done in creating opportunities for all students and raising the expectations for student achievement,” Quaderer said. “This is not a one-size-fits all approach, and I am energized by the progress we have made in our early college high school programming, or Tribe University.”
Quaderer said school administration has made significant changes to its master schedule over the past four years to get the distinction.
“We have striven to make Tribe University a part of the everyday culture of Mississinewa High School,” he said. “We are working to establish a culture or mindset that every student can be successful and have options not only after high school but during high school. The vision and planning that has gone into developing and implementing Tribe University are ever-evolving. Our administrative team and our teachers are working diligently to stay abreast of changing needs and requirements from the federal and state level.”
Winter said the corporation has established an advisory board of community stakeholders that include business owners, the Community Foundation of Grant County, health care industry professionals and employees of Ivy Tech in Marion. She said the diverse board advises the steering committee and helps the school corporation understand what skills and education the students need to be successful in the workplace.
“I am extremely excited that Mississinewa High School received this prestigious endorsement,” Winters said. “We believe that Early College High School will change the culture of education for the entire Mississinewa School Corporation. During this planning process, our staff has reflected on what college and career readiness should look like for students in kindergarten through grade 12. Each grade is now exploring careers, and the curriculum has articulated into an eighth-grade class that understands what their pathway of interest may be in ECHS and the requirements to earn an industry certificate, STGEC, or an associate degree.
“I’m proud of our teachers, administrators and staff for their willingness to “rethink” their priorities and work together in following a rigorous endorsement and evaluation rubric,” she added.
Schools submit a portfolio documenting adherence to the eight core principles. To finalize the endorsement, CELL sends a team of experts to observe the school and interview groups of students, teachers and staff.
Mississinewa High School’s Early College offers the following classes and programs: an eighth grade Preparing for College and Careers class, Ivy Tech 111 Jumpstart, grades 10-12 mentorships, college and industry field trips, the Statewide Transfer General Education Core Certificate and a robust and active ECHS Advisory Council including CEOs and area philanthropic representatives.
Students can choose four certification programs through Ivy Tech – Industrial Technology, Health Sciences, Early Childhood and Computer Sciences.
