Herron High School to ‘Replicate’
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowOne of the state's most highly-regarded charter schools is expanding. Herron High School in Indianapolis has been approved by the city's charter school board to replicate its curriculum in a second, yet-to-be-determined location. June 4, 2015
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Indianapolis Charter School Board has approved an application by Herron High School to replicate its classical curriculum with a second high school location. The nine-member board serving the City of Indianapolis' Office of Education Innovation unanimously voted in favor of Herron High School's application at a public hearing on Tuesday, June 2.
Since opening as a Mayor-sponsored charter school in 2006, Herron High School has developed a strong reputation as a publicly available, tuition-free high school and valuable community asset. Its graduation rate for the most recent class is 98 percent with 100 percent college/military acceptance. On average, the school boasts a 94 percent retention rate. Universities and colleges have awarded the Class of 2015 with $13 million in scholarships.
In just the last few months, Herron High School has enjoyed accolades from The Washington Post as one of “America's Most Challenging High Schools,” recognized as a Four Star School by the Indiana Department of Education (for the fourth consecutive year), and listed as a Gold Medal School by U.S. News & World Report, ranking in the top 1 percent of public high schools across the nation. Herron High School is one of a handful of schools in the state of Indiana and the only one in Indianapolis to receive these distinctions.
Additionally, the Woodrow Wilson MBA Fellowship in Educational Leadership program has accepted Herron faculty members Rachelle Klinger and Malcom Gilchrist into its highly prestigious program. The fellowship is a unique and innovative approach to developing new school leaders by training them in business practices and education leadership.
“As a result of our student's amazing achievement record, the outstanding work of our faculty and staff, and our public honors, we have more than 300 students on our admissions waiting list – it's our civic duty to respond to the needs of Indianapolis and offer the educational experience those students and their families are seeking,” said Head of School Janet McNeal. “Replication gives us the opportunity to make an impact at the neighborhood level and advances our responsibility to help make Indianapolis a great place to live.”
Alongside community anchors such as The Harrison Center for the Arts, Herron High School's presence has also played a role in helping reinvigorate the 16th Street corridor east of Meridian Street.
At the June 2 board meeting, an overflow audience of supporters filled the hearing room at the Indianapolis City-County Building and several testified in favor of replication including McNeal. In response to the level of support and application, Charter School Board Chairman John Mutz commented, “This is not superfluous. This is very special.”
The Herron High School Board is evaluating options for a location for the new charter and aims to welcome its inaugural freshman class in the fall of 2017.
About Herron High School
Herron High School was founded in 2005 and is a fully accredited Indianapolis mayor-sponsored college preparatory high school open to all students. Designated a 4 Star School by the Indiana Department of Education, Herron High School is dedicated to providing a classical, liberal arts education for students in grades 9 through 12. Its curriculum includes a rigorous core of Latin, English, math and science classes, along with electives in art and music, among others. Herron High School’s average graduation and 4-year college acceptance rates both exceed 95 percent. Located in Herron-Morton Place neighborhood, Herron High School is committed to preparing world-class citizens and leaders through education and to helping to increase the vibrancy of Indianapolis for decades to come.
For more information, visit HerronHighSchool.org.
Follow us on Twitter @HerronHighIndy to stay up-to-date on all Herron High School news.