Reinventing High School October 2016

The future of Purdue Polytechnic High School Indianapolis is much clearer after a news conference October 3, where officials from Purdue University, the City of Indianapolis and Indianapolis Public Schools made several announcements.

THIS IS THE PLACE

Purdue Polytechnic High School will be located at 3029 E. Washington St., in the former P.R. Mallory Building, which is owned by the City of Indianapolis.

Top: Maker Space, for student/faculty collaboration; Cafeteria; active learning classrooms with mobile furniture. Bottom: State-of-the-art multifunction labs; Administration area.

During renovations, which are expected to be complete before the start of the 2018-19 academic year, the school will have temporary residence nearby at 201 S. Rural St.

Joe Bowling, co-director of the Englewood Community Development Corporation, the neighborhood in which the school will be located, said the school fits perfectly with the goals of the Englewood neighborhood.

“Englewood Community Development Corporation is thrilled to support Purdue Polytechnic's partnership with IPS and their commitment to invest within our neighborhood and in our community's children. The new school is a critical component to our efforts, along with the contributions of dozens of partners, to revitalize the Englewood Neighborhood through Great Places 2020,” he said.

Top: The former P.R. Mallory Building on the Near East Side, site of the future Purdue Polytechnic High School, looking west toward downtown Indianapolis. Middle: The news media films presentations by Mitch Daniels, president of Purdue University (center); Joe Hogsett, mayor of Indianapolis; and Lewis D. Ferebee, superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools. Bottom: One of the building's empty floors which will be remodeled into active learning spaces.

Both school locations are close to public transportation, downtown and the school’s industry partners.

WE'RE TAKING APPLICATIONS NOW

The online application for the school’s first students, those who will be ninth-graders in fall 2017, is now available. The school will have space for 150 students in the first year, and a new freshman class will be added each year working toward a total enrollment of 600 in grades 9-12.

Students who live within IPS boundaries will have first preference for spaces.

MEET OUR PRINCIPAL

Shatoya Jordan, who was recently named a The Mind Trust Innovation School Fellow, is principal of Purdue Polytechnic High School Indianapolis. She worked for the Excel Center since 2010, serving as regional director, school director, and lead teacher. In her most recent role as regional director for the Excel Center, Jordan was responsible for the academic and operational performance of several schools. Jordan also has been a science teacher in the Indianapolis Public Schools and a local charter school.

"I am eager to serve our community by providing a quality high school ​and fostering an innovative spirit through hands-on, STEM-focused curriculum. As an IPS grad (Arsenal Tech) and former IPS teacher, I’m excited to partner with IPS to enroll students who live in the district and become a choice neighborhood school,” she said.​

Jordan earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education, health and safety science, and biology and her master’s degree in leadership administration, both from Marian University.

Jordan joins Scott Bess, head of school, on the leadership team.

PARTNERSHIPS ENRICH THE SCHOOL

The high school curriculum will mirror the Purdue Polytechnic Institute on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus and serve as a pipeline to the college. Scott Bess, head of school, and Shatoya Jordan, principal, will work with Purdue faculty on curriculum development. The process is under way to hire teachers for the school.

As part of the IPS Innovation Network, Purdue Polytechnic High School will have access to transportation and food services provided by IPS. In turn, Purdue Polytechnic Institute and Polytechnic High School will provide professional development opportunities for IPS teachers and staff related to STEM education.

More complete information is available on the Purdue Polytechnic High School website.

Our new website: pphsi.purdue.edu

KEEP IN TOUCH

This is Issue #2 of Purdue Polytechnic High School's newsletter. As we prepare to create a truly one-of-a-kind high school and to welcome our first 150 ninth grade students, we look forward to sharing our milestones with you during the journey.

Please contact us with your comments, questions, or interests. Thank you!

Purdue Polytechnic High School Indianapolis • October 2016

© 2016 Purdue University • EA/EOU

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