BEDFORD – The Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of Indianapolis recently announced the endorsement of the Early College (EC) program at Bedford North Lawrence High School in Lawrence County as highly effective in implementing with fidelity the Eight Core Principles of Early College.
Bedford North Lawrence High School began its journey toward becoming an endorsed early college high school in 2018, and this past spring graduated five students with the Indiana College Core Certificate from Vincennes University with at least 30 transferable college credits.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our staff at BNL. Becoming endorsed has meant a lot of work over the last several years. Teachers have worked very hard to become licensed to teach for multiple universities, counselors have had to help create entire new plans for students that took a chance on a new program, and administrators have dedicated significant hours to create and foster an extremely beneficial program for our students. In addition, it is very doubtful that this work would have been accomplished without funding from the RECN grant. I give my sincere thanks to those professionals who have supported BNL throughout this whole process. This program will save our families significant amounts of money as the credits earned are legislatively backed as general education credits at any state-funded college or university. Finally, I’m encouraged for the future of this program as I’ve seen enrollment continue to grow
each year.” said Jordan Key, BNL Principal.
The Early College high school model creates small schools that are designed to give students jumpstarts for the rest of their lives. Students can earn both high school diplomas and up to two years of credit toward bachelor’s or associate degrees. While open to all students, Early College programs specifically serve low-income young people, first-generation college students, English language learners, and students of color – all statistically underrepresented in higher education.
To be considered for endorsement, Bedford North Lawrence High School prepared a portfolio that addressed the eight required principles established by CELL including providing a rigorous curriculum, robust student support, and completion data. In addition, a CELL team visited the school to interview the administration, teachers, students, and parents about the EC and its benefits and challenges before designating the program as endorsed.
“We are incredibly proud of the work accomplished over the last three years at BNL to provide this opportunity to our students and community. Our teachers and staff have committed to this initiative by returning to school to complete graduate-level coursework, attending professional development workshops, and advising students. I believe this work and other initiatives have put BNL at the forefront of high schools in our area,” said Jenna Clark, BNL Assistant Principal.
“These newly-endorsed Early College High Schools have documented evidence of quality programs that help high school students graduate high school and accelerate into post-secondary education, whether at a four-year institution or a career/technical program. Bedford North Lawrence students’ accomplishments are true game-changers for them and their families!” said Sandy Hillman, CELL Director of Early College.
CELL, at the University of Indianapolis, is a leading convener, catalyst, and collaborator for dynamic, innovative education change in Indiana. It has trained over 130 high schools across the state in the fundamentals of Early College and endorsed 45 fully-endorsed Early Colleges as of July 2022. Once a school receives endorsement, it is expected to further develop its opportunities and will be reviewed for re-endorsement every three years.
