Our Work

Areas of Work

IPS has increased its efforts in four key areas to support student postsecondary preparation and success, no matter which path a student chooses after high school–enrollment, employment or enlistment leading to service. 

• Student Advising and Planning: At IPS, postsecondary advising and planning occurs alongside college and career exploration and students participate in a continuum of activities, from preschool through grade 12. This prepares students to intentionally choose the high school and academic pathway that aligns with their aspirations for the future and creates a plan allowing them to reach their full potential, with the appreciative advising support of our school counselors and IPS Future Center staff.
• High-Quality Academic Pathways: Over the last several years, IPS has reviewed and streamlined its academic pathways, creating education opportunities aligned to postsecondary pathways and the high-wage, high-demand sectors within central Indiana. At IPS, there are:
  • 33 Future Ready academic pathways—including 25 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways—preparing students for both higher education and to enter good-paying jobs.
  • The IB Pathways at Shortridge High School offer students two high-quality trajectories through the Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP) to prepare students academically for college success, ensuring students can pass culminating exams and earn associated credentials.
  • The Early College pathway (available at Arsenal Tech High School, Crispus Attucks High School and George Washington High School), which puts students on an accelerated path to a 2- or 4-year degree through dual credit and dual enrollment opportunities.

All pathways culminate in students earning credentials which provide currency in the workforce and for higher education, giving students immersive experiences to increase their academic, employability and technical skills.

• Strategic Partnerships: Through several strategic partnerships, IPS has provided additional support and services for students throughout their educational journey. These partners include:
  • EmployIndy, which has helped IPS increase student access to work-based learning opportunities through its TalentBound initiative;
  • Ball State University, Butler University, Indiana University-Indianapolis, Indiana University-Bloomington, Ivy Tech Community College, Marian University, University of Indianapolis, and Vincennes University, which are providing pathways and connections to higher education, including dual credit credentialing, tutoring, campus visits, advising, and more for our students; and
  • Industry partners such as Eli Lilly, IU Health, Cummins, The Patachou Foundation, and Pepper Construction, who are providing work-based learning opportunities for students and/or are serving on advisory boards to help influence the quality and rigor of our academic pathways. 
• Philanthropic Investment: IPS has received nearly $12 million in postsecondary readiness initiatives in recent years from major funders such as Bloomberg Philanthropies; the Indiana Governor’s Workforce Cabinet; Lilly Endowment, Inc.; the Lilly Foundation; J.P. Morgan Chase Foundation; and the Salesforce Foundation. This critical support has allowed IPS to:
  • Invest in high-quality academic pathways
  • Establish Future Centers in all four Academy High Schools
  • Create a Future Center pilot at Longfellow Middle School
  • Provide credentialing and professional development opportunities for teachers and counselors
  • Create work-based learning opportunities for students, including a student-based enterprise at George Washington High School.  

Outcomes

The Indiana Department of Education’s Graduates Prepared to Succeed (GPS) online dashboard provides a searchable database of Indiana schools, highlighting benchmark headline indicators of Graduation Pathways Completion, Employment & Enrollment; and College & Career Credentials, along with SAT performance, FAFSA completion rates, diploma strength, and more.