CELL receives major grant to support three Indiana high schools as they engage underserved students and expand career pathways

The Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of
Indianapolis has been awarded $805,000 from the Don Wood Foundation, located in Fort Wayne,
Indiana, to expand its successful Indiana Pathways to Careers and Postsecondary (P-CAP) high
school model to serve three high schools in northeast Indiana: Angola High School, Madison-Grant
Junior-Senior High School and Wabash High School. Winchester Community High School, which
already has P-CAP in place, will serve as a mentor school to the three partner schools.

P-CAP is an innovative education model designed for high school students who are disengaged in
school and who are at risk of dropping out. The first cohort in the program saw a 28% GPA
increase and a 5% attendance increase from the end of 8th grade to the end of 9th grade.

“We believe that a P-CAP program will help us to create a project-based, hands-on, non-traditional way to engage our students in and out of the classroom that will lead to better outcomes for our students, school and community,” said David Retherford, principal at Madison-Grant Junior-Senior High School.

The P-CAP model prepares students for high-skill, high-wage and in-demand industry sectors in the local economy. Students have the opportunity to complete a Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway, earn a stackable workplace credential and earn dual credit for college. The model also brings industry partners into the high school experience with quarterly workplace learning challenges, connecting learning with real-world application. P-CAP students experience integrated core classes with smaller class sizes, deepening relationships with faculty and other students.

As part of the Don Wood Foundation grant, the three partner schools will add or expand advanced
manufacturing as a CTE pathway available to students. The funding will allow schools to designate a
P-CAP classroom space with the equipment needed and cover some of the costs related to
implementing the program, such as staffing, supplies and professional development.

“The Don Wood Foundation is interested in seeing the P-CAP innovative CTE model brought to schools here in northeast Indiana,” said Susan Mendenhall, vice president of programs, Don Wood Foundation. “We are particularly pleased that at-risk students receive the opportunity to participate in this proven CTE model.”

P-CAP was established in 2022 through an Explore, Engage and Experience (3E) grant from the Indiana Department of Education (DOE). Winchester Community High School was one of four pilot high schools that worked with CELL to implement the P-CAP model. As part of the Don Wood Foundation grant, Winchester Community High School leaders will mentor teams from the three partner schools to help them implement the P-CAP model in their schools. CELL will bring all four schools together multiple times a year for professional development and shared learning opportunities.

“We are grateful to the Don Wood Foundation for allowing us to expand the P-CAP model to three more high schools to improve outcomes for students during and beyond high school,” said Carey Dahncke, executive director at CELL.

Schools interested in learning more about P-CAP can contact Tracy Butler, CELL’s Director of Postsecondary Readiness, at butlert@uindy.edu.

For media inquiries or to arrange an interview with a local school P-CAP team, please contact Carey Dahncke at dahnckec@uindy.edu.