Welcome to the start of our 25th year! In August of 2000, University held its first day of school in a tent. There were no lockers for those first 28 students. No sports teams. Not even a gym. Community meeting happened at a picnic table. Everyone took the same January Term class, and the first band was a saxophonist and a drum machine. A lot has changed since then, but two things remain the same: an earnest desire to place students in the center of their high school experience, and a stalwart commitment to community.
In the past 25 years, we have grown from those humble beginnings to become a leader in the greater Indianapolis educational landscape. Students and families see our school as a place where young people are valued not for who they will become but for who they are right now, a place where learning is driven by relationships, and where passions are fueled by curiosity. Faculty and staff members serve as exemplars of life-long growth based on our core values. And our Board of Trustees continues to stoke the vision of a transformational high school experience.
Research continues to show the importance of belonging, mentorship, and supportive challenge in the lives of adolescents, and now more than ever, we need future leaders who are comfortable in their skin, confident in their abilities, and emboldened to make their world a better place. And so, a quarter of a century later, our mission – to expand the hearts and minds of our students, and to nurture excellence through academic, creative and physical achievement – remains relevant and our purpose crystal clear. We empower students to engage in their learning and in their lives. I look forward to honoring our legacy and celebrating our future with all of you this year. Thank you for being a part of University High School.