INDIANAPOLIS — Purdue Polytechnic Indianapolis High School, an educational experience designed to provide a bridge for inner-city students and others to succeed in high school and to be admitted directly to Purdue University, will open in August 2017.
Purdue University President Mitch Daniels recently announced the university’s plan to open the new STEM-focused charter school in downtown Indianapolis with the possibility of eventually expanding to cities where Purdue has statewide polytechnic centers. He said increasing the number of low-income, first-generation and minority students who are prepared for success is not just an Indiana issue but a nationwide challenge, and that the Polytechnic High School is an attempt at direct action where waiting on the current system has not worked.
A steering committee composed of leaders from Purdue, the city of Indianapolis, USA Funds and EmployIndy has been working for the past year on plans for the new school. USA Funds has provided a $500,000 planning grant, administered by EmployIndy, for the start-up of the school, which is expected to be in downtown Indianapolis. Purdue faculty, primarily from the Purdue Polytechnic Institute, will develop the curriculum and teaching methods for the school as a blend of K-12 and postsecondary education with an infusion of industry leadership and participation.