TSC announces new online academy option for high schoolers
LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Tippecanoe School Corporation will welcome a new high school during the 2024-25 school year — the Tippecanoe Online Academy.
Unlike its brick and mortar counterparts, McCutcheon and Harrison High Schools, the Tippecanoe Online Academy will be entirely online and available to students grades 9-12.
Tippecanoe School Corporation Director of Technology Innovation Devin Arms told school board members Wednesday that the corporation has been working on this establishment since roughly 2013 when TSC first launched virtual learning courses at McCutcheon and Harrison.
Since 2013, students throughout the corporation have enrolled in various online courses through different online schools. Last year, during the 2022-23 school year, approximately 246 TSC students were enrolled in online courses full time, he said.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the corporation took an even larger step toward perfecting a functioning online format for students to continue their education. Now, Arms said, they are confident in their ability to move forward with the online academy.
Partnering with Arizona State University
The academy will be the first in the state of Indiana to partner with Arizona State University (ASU) Prep Digital—an accredited online K-12 program servicing students and districts across the country with online education.
“Tippecanoe Online Academy is a proactive approach that’s built to meet the growing demand for quality, fully online curricular options at the secondary level,” Superintendent Scott Hanback said. “Our strong collaboration with ASU Prep Digital will help us develop high quality, interactive, rigorous online course offerings that will raise academic success for the learners enrolled in this new school. Students will earn Indiana’s high school diploma as graduates of TSC’s fully online school.”
Enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year opens in November 2023. Students enrolled will be pursuing the Core-40 diploma. At this time the school is not offering additional diploma options, but will likely prepare for it in future years, Arms said.
How to apply for the online high school
All interested students are encouraged to apply for acceptance into the academy, however, the corporation anticipates initial enrollment to be limited to 300 students. Students from McCutcheon and Harrison high schools can enroll, as well as students across the state of Indiana.
It is important to note that students enrolled full-time through the academy will not be eligible to participate in sports at McCutcheon or Harrison High Schools. Students who are enrolled in a hybrid model (with most of their time spent in-person) will still be able to participate in sports.
Additionally, TSC teachers will be able to receive training and credentials through ASU Prep Digital. A key element of opening the academy is to retain TSC teachers for the instructional positions, Arms said.
Teachers will be trained on the customizable curriculum models and developed courses that align with Indiana State Standards.
“While students have the flexibility to attend classes online, they’ll still benefit from a strong connection with our local teachers who are dedicated to providing dynamic instruction,” Arms said. “We understand the importance of community, so we’ll be introducing creative ways for our online students to come together, from virtual clubs to in-person events. We’re committed to providing an experience that fosters a sense of belonging and togetherness, ensuring that every student feels supported and connected, no matter where they are.”
The Tippecanoe Online Academy is designed to meet the needs of students living within the Tippecanoe School Corporation who have previously chosen to pursue other online schools in the state, as well as provide a dynamic, comprehensive online learning experience to students who are seeking a flexible and personalized learning environment, according to a press release.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: TSC announces new online academy option for high schoolers
