Kokomo among Indiana high schools to earn Early College endorsement

The Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of Indianapolis has recognized seven Indiana high schools as endorsed Early College High Schools, marking a significant step forward in expanding access to college credit and postsecondary success
across the state.
The newly endorsed schools join a select and growing network of schools across Indiana helping students earn college credit while still in high school.
● Angola High School - Angola, Ind.
● Irvington Preparatory Academy - Indianapolis, Ind.
● Whiteland Community High School - Whiteland, Ind.
● Kokomo High School - Kokomo, Ind.
● Mooresville High School - Mooresville, Ind.
● Peru Junior/Senior High School - Peru, Ind.
● Victory College Prep - Indianapolis, Ind.
Early College High Schools allow students to take college-level courses while still in high school, but they are not simply about offering college credit. They are a comprehensive model designed to prepare students for success after graduation. Schools build a college-going culture, align high
school and college coursework, and provide the academic and personal supports students need to succeed. As a result, students can graduate with more than a high school diploma, including the Indiana College Core, an associate degree, a technical credential, or significant dual credit. This can
reduce the cost of a degree and accelerate their path to college and careers.
“When students can earn college credit in high school, it puts them on a trajectory to better careers, higher earnings, and the ability to support themselves and their families,” said Carey Dahncke, executive director of CELL. “When more schools deliver that opportunity at a high level, it has a
direct impact on Indiana’s ability to grow a strong, prepared workforce.”
Earning endorsement is a rigorous, multi-year process. Schools must demonstrate alignment to CELL’s eight core principles of Early College High Schools, submit a comprehensive portfolio, and participate in an on-site evaluation that includes interviews with students, educators, and partners.
The process ensures that endorsed programs are not only expanding access to college credit, but doing so with measurable outcomes.
“What makes these schools stand out is their commitment to doing this work well through intentional design. They are not just offering college credit. They are building programs where students expect to succeed and move toward real degree completion, not just random acts of dual
credit,” said Steve Combs, director of Early College at CELL. “That takes time, alignment, and strong partnerships. This endorsement recognizes schools that have put those pieces in place and are delivering real results for students.”
As Indiana’s leader in Early College, CELL endorses Indiana’s Early College High Schools, ensuring there is a high bar set for quality, consistency, and student success.
Early College programs are showing strong results across Indiana. Students participating in these programs enroll in college at significantly higher rates than their peers, are more likely to graduate with a degree, and require less remediation along the way.
With the addition of these seven schools, 74 high schools across Indiana have earned Early College endorsement. Indiana is among the top states in the nation in expanding access to Early College and college credit opportunities.
These schools will be recognized during Early College Week, April 20–24,