Landmark Partnership Creates New Learning Opportunities for Students at Hamilton Southeastern Schools

Hamilton Southeastern Schools is excited to be entering a first-of-its-kind partnership with Purdue Polytechnic High School (PPHS), City of Fishers and Hub & Spoke Institute to increase learning opportunities for students.

HSE Polytechnic Program powered by Purdue Polytechnic High School is a new venture that will provide students with the tools and skills they need to excel not only in the classroom but also in high-demand, high-paying jobs and education beyond high school. Students will leave with a high school diploma and may also earn college credit and industry credentials while enrolled in the program.

“We at Hamilton Southeastern Schools are always looking to expand educational opportunities for our students,” said Dr. Allen Bourff, superintendent of Hamilton Southeastern Schools. “This partnership will provide us access to an instructional model from Purdue Polytechnic High School that dovetails seamlessly with the direction we are moving as a district, one that provides authentic learning experiences and maximizes student agency and collaboration. Additionally, our students will be able to take advantage of a partnership with private industry through Hub & Spoke Institute,enabling them to learn in a very unique environment with access to outside professionals that will enhance our ability to provide real world connections for our students.”

In the fall of 2020, Hub & Spoke Institute will open its doors to a ninth-grade cohort from Fishers- and Hamilton Southeastern High Schools. HSE Polytechnic is a four-year program. Every year after, a grade level will be added until students in grades 9-12 are represented. Hub & Spoke Institute also has plans to develop programming and learning experiences for students in K-8.

“Hub & Spoke Institute exists to inspire, educate, and empower the future makers and leaders of America,” said David Decker, founder of Hub & Spoke Institute. “ Whether a student’s life beyond high school consists of college, a high-paying, in-demand career or pursuing an entrepreneurial dream, Hub and Spoke’s aim is to grow awareness of opportunities, provide a hands-on educational journey in which the community becomes the classroom and create pathways to success. This provides opportunity for students to discover their passions and creates flexibility for the important choices that determine their future.”

While Purdue Polytechnic High School will provide curriculum, training and ongoing support, day-to-day operations will be managed and taught by Hamilton Southeastern Schools’ teachers.

The HSE Polytechnic Program model, based on the existing Purdue Polytechnic High School model in both Broad Ripple and downtown Indianapolis, offers students STEAM-focused courses and credits. Students will also participate in authentic project-based work from the very first week of their enrollment. Each student is assigned a personal “learning coach” (the PPHS word for teacher) and placed with an advisory group of up to 20 students with whom they start and end each day. Students work with their coaches and fellow students to set goals, review progress, discuss current events and plan their learning activities to build their schedules for the week. Based on this model, students have ownership of their learning schedules, seek mentoring and support when they need it and learn how to manage their workload and schedules.

“We are excited to partner with Hamilton Southeastern Schools, the City of Fishers and the Hub & Spoke Institute to provide an opportunity for students in the district to experience the Purdue Polytechnic High School approach to learning,” said Scott Bess, head of school at Purdue Polytechnic High School. “The hands-on, project-based design thinking way of learning has proven to be very successful at the PPHS Indianapolis schools and this collaboration will create an opportunity for scaling the experience.”

Students enrolled in the HSE Polytechnic Program will have frequent and early exposure to industry employers and careers. Part of the curriculum allows students to also participate in the “EnterMaker” entrepreneurship program that challenges them to create and operate a successful business.

“Today is a historic day for Fishers. Through this partnership, students are gaining unprecedented access to Purdue Polytechnic curriculum alongside industry firms to bring STEAM education to life,” said Scott Fadness, Mayor of the City of Fishers. “Alongside the mission of Hub & Spoke Institute we’ve created an epicenter of training and education for tomorrow’s leaders right here in Fishers. Our city continues to strive to be smart, vibrant, and entrepreneurial and today’s announcement couldn’t be a better example of that.”