Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
WASHINGTON – She shot hoops on the floor of the Hatchet House. She saw how students are learning about cybersecurity and robotics. And she met a class of students applying chemistry principles to make ice cream.
Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana’s Secretary of Education, got a first-hand look at innovations in education at Washington High School Wednesday.
Jenner’s tour started in the historic Hatchet House, one of the largest high school gyms in Indiana. After marking the visit to the gym with a few lighthearted free throw attempts with Superintendent Kevin Frank and Washington Mayor David Rhoads, Jenner focused on what Washington is doing to prepare its students for their lives after high school.
WHS has a College & Career Academy that exposes students to an array of career options. The academy is divided into three schools and within those schools are 14 career options ranging from agriculture and computer science to health & medicine, military, culinary arts, fine arts and business.
WHS partners with Vincennes University’s Early College Program, which lets students take classes toward an associate degree while in high school. VU has a counselor in the building to assist students with the admissions process.
Washington Assistant Superintendent Steve Peterson told Jenner that WHS offers 10 Advanced Placement courses, more than any other local school district. WHS has joined the Notre Dame AP Teacher Investment Program cohort to provide advanced teacher training to strengthen the rigor and of the school’s AP offerings.
The school’s Project Lead the Way courses give students hands-on experience in biomedical science, computer science, engineering, radio & TV, agriculture, Jr. ROTC and CEO.
During the tour, Jenner visited Matt Riney’s computer science class where students set up demonstration stations and explained to Jenner the history of cybersecurity. Jenner was impressed with their presentations and quizzed them about cybersecurity and encouraged them to consider it as a career if it’s something they like.
She met WHS juniors Aleida Sanchez and Xavier Frank who told her about the academic opportunities they’ve had at WHS.
Jenner was impressed with the school’s 3D computers and WHS taking the robotics team from an extracurricular activity to a class.
“Walking in here I saw several things,” Jenner said. “You are welcoming, kind and you’re filled with hope and you’re not just talking about it but doing it.”
Peterson said he invited Jenner to Washington to see what the school is doing and recognize the work of the faculty and students.
“We have the best teachers around … caring adults who are committed to preparing ALL students for their life after high school. There is no special treatment for college-bound and we equally value the contributions from our career minded students,” Peterson said. “These kids are going to be our neighbors some day. We want them prepared for high wage, high demand jobs so that our community can grow and thrive.”
The high school’s approach to preparing students extends beyond the school’s walls to business and industry in and around Daviess County.
“We are a student-first school and we look at partnerships to create more opportunities,” said Brian Holland, WHS principal.
WHS has partnerships with Toyota, Daviess Community Hospital, Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane, Regional Opportunity Initiatives and Daviess County Economic Development Corporation.
Jenner praised WHS for being endorsed as an Early College High School, participating in AP-TIP and a PLTW Distinguished High School.
“Regardless of the paths they choose, your students have a way forward,” she said. “I’m proud of your work.”
Jenner also learned about other career and college efforts, hearing from career coach Chad Niehaus, Jill Campbell from Daviess County EDC and Michi McClain from ROI.