Many students at Arsenal Technical High School are taking a proactive approach to their education this summer. Instead of spending their break catching up on schoolwork, these rising 10th graders are participating in the Early College Summer Bridge program. The initiative aims to provide an opportunity for exploration and preparation for college.
Arsenal Tech, part of Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), hosted the program from June 9-13, following its endorsement as an Early College High School. This program targets rising 10th graders preparing for dual credit and college-level coursework.
Dr. Austin Dodd, director of High School Academies and Pathways for IPS, emphasized the positive momentum being built by these students during their break. “These students are spending their break building momentum, not making up for lost ground,” he said.
Assistant Principal Patrick Kennison described the program as more intensive and transformational than traditional summer school. “This isn’t summer school — it’s summer advancement,” he stated. According to Kennison, the students involved are motivated and committed to future success.
Participants also visited Indiana University Bloomington and Ivy Tech Community College. These visits provided insights into college life and helped students view higher education as attainable. At Ivy Tech, they received college student IDs and learned about resources available to them as dual credit students.
Dr. Dodd highlighted a shift in public education where raising expectations and supporting students leads them not only to keep up but thrive. “This is a story of educational innovation, student resilience, and a community investing in its future,” he remarked.
