Rebecca Christensen, principal of Heritage Jr./Sr. High School, gave a very interesting talk to the Heritage Lions Club. She began by thanking the club for donating $500 at Christmas for a family in need. She explained that Heritage has 745 students in grades 7 through 12. This number continues to grow as new neighborhoods are built and people move into our area. The student body is very diverse, a fact that Ms. Christensen felt was positive, giving students opportunities to interact with kids their own age from many different backgrounds, as they will in “the real world”. Over 85% of the students graduate, which is in line with the rates for all Indiana schools.
Like all public schools, Heritage faces several challenges. Nearly 25% of Heritage students need to learn or improve their English language skills. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that 43% of US public school students attend schools where a majority of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. Heritage has about 52% of their students in this program. As a side note, she proudly stated that Heritage has “the best cafeteria employees in Northern Indiana”.
Meeting the many requirements set out by the state of Indiana, while working hard to help each student reach their highest potential, is the challenge each teacher at Heritage welcomes with enthusiasm. The story of Heritage is one of ever-higher achievements in sports, academics, and a widening range of opportunities in different fields. Two students recently went to the State Speech and Debate competition. A new boys volleyball team is being developed. The boys’ and girls’ soccer teams, as well as the football and track squads, have been improving every year. Developing employability skills so that students are “work-based ready”, offering a “graduate a semester early” program, OSI (out of school internship), and introducing auto mechanics and computer skills are just a few of the many opportunities Heritage students are being given to prepare for their future.
Heritage High School is fortunate to have such a committed and capable leader. Her enthusiasm for helping her students learn was evident throughout her 40-minute presentation. Leading Heritage involves confronting many challenges, but she showed the Heritage Lions that she and her team are meeting those challenges with courage and resolve.
