Riverside High School Project Lands Substantial Gift

(Image Courtesy: Hadley Fruits)

A $1 million gift from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation aims to help Herron High School in Indianapolis open its second campus at the historic Heslar Naval Armory. The new, tuition-free public high school plans to open in the fall.

The gift, in combination with support from more than 100 other donors, brings the school to more than 75 percent of its $3 million campaign goal. The school says the rest of the $7.5 million needed to transform the armory into the school will be covered by tax credits and community redevelopment programs.

"The excitement about this project is palpable," said John Hammond, Herron High School board member. "Riverside High School will be another new and lively asset in the Riverside neighborhood. We invite others to join us in making our city stronger through quality public education."

The school says, once financing is approved, renovations will begin. Riverside High School will have about 800 students, most of which will come from Marion County and will have the same curriculum as Herron High School.

Herron announced in 2015 plans to open its second location in the armory, which is also known as "The Ship." The facility, which was built in the 1930s, was vacated in 2014 by the U.S. Naval Reserves and later became city property.