Monroe County, Indiana – The Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) used its most recent Board of School Trustees meeting to highlight the wide range of academic pathways and student supports available throughout the district. At the Tuesday, August 26 session, administrators provided updates on everything from STEM-certified schools to social-emotional resources, underscoring the district’s commitment to preparing students for life beyond graduation.
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, Alexis Harmon, led the presentation, breaking down the diverse programs MCCSC offers. Her message was simple but powerful—academic growth doesn’t happen by chance, but through deliberate planning, strong community support, and a focus on evidence-based practices.
Among the offerings she described were five schools certified in STEM by the Indiana Department of Education, three International Baccalaureate World Schools® (Summit Elementary, Batchelor Middle School, and Bloomington High School South), and the Hoosier Hills Career Center, which provides hands-on training for students interested in specialized trades and career fields. Students also benefit from unique programs like the Early College Certified Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship, recognized by the University of Indianapolis, and the Performing Arts Academy at Fairview Elementary School.
“Our schools really try to meet students where they are, whether that’s in engineering and robotics or in music and the fine arts,” Harmon said, noting the balance between STEM and STEAM-based learning opportunities. “We also have expansive arts offerings, music and fine arts classes K through 12. We have an elementary strings and band program for early exposure to those areas. Our students are going to the Musical Arts Center, they’re hearing the opera, they’re going to the art museum and being immersed in those experiences. We offer metal working, stained glass, jewelry and ceramics. And those are just a highlight of some of the things that we have.”
The breadth of choices is striking. MCCSC students can select from 26 career and college pathways while also accessing early college credit through 34 Advanced Placement courses and 41 dual credit options. For those looking to get a strong head start, the Indiana College Core—30 hours of transferable credits—is also available. Opportunities for younger learners are equally robust. With support from the 2023 referendum, MCCSC has expanded preschool and Pre-K programs, allowing most families to participate at no cost or significantly reduced tuition. These early learning options are nationally accredited and rated at the highest level for quality.
Beyond academics, extracurricular opportunities number in the hundreds, ranging from robotics to theater, reflecting MCCSC’s belief that growth happens both inside and outside the classroom. The district also provides unique resources such as mobile STEM labs, FabLabs, and makerspaces in all middle schools, ensuring that technology and innovation are accessible to every student.
But offering opportunities is only one part of the equation. Equally important, Harmon explained, is how students are supported in using them. “We’re thinking about [multi-tiered student support] academically, behaviorally, and socially-emotionally. We use tools to screen progress, monitor and make data informed decisions and use instruction that is evidence-based to improve outcomes,” she said.
Evidence shows the district’s approach is working. For the 2024–25 school year, MCCSC posted IREAD and ILEARN scores above the state average. High schoolers continue to stand out, with 11th grade SAT scores among the highest in Indiana. Graduation rates also paint a strong picture—MCCSC achieved 95.6% in 2024, compared to the state average of 90% and far ahead of the 58% reported among Indiana charter schools.
While state test data provides one snapshot of progress, Harmon emphasized that MCCSC relies on multiple forms of evaluation. Teachers track individual student growth to inform instruction and tailor supports, while administrators look at broader academic trends to refine curriculum decisions. This layered system ensures both big-picture accountability and personal attention for students who need extra help.
Harmon stressed that the district’s mission is driven by the students themselves. “We really have 10,000 reasons to be the best that we can be every day and these are just a few of the ways that we do it,” she said, pointing to MCCSC’s 10,000-plus student population as the heartbeat of its work.
Community partnerships also play an important role in sustaining opportunities. The recent referendum has been crucial in supporting early learning programs, while local institutions like the Musical Arts Center and art museum provide real-world exposure to cultural experiences that enrich classroom learning.
In many ways, MCCSC’s presentation was both a progress report and a vision statement. By combining advanced academic pathways with early learning support, arts immersion, and strong extracurricular offerings, the district is positioning itself as a leader in whole-child education. At the same time, its evidence-based approach to student support ensures that these opportunities are meaningful and accessible to every learner, not just a select few.
As the 2024–25 school year continues, MCCSC plans to keep tracking outcomes while expanding programming that prepares students for a rapidly changing world. Whether a child dreams of becoming a scientist, an artist, a tradesperson, or something entirely different, the district is working to ensure that the path to that future starts in Monroe County classrooms.
Families and community members can learn more about the district’s programs and ongoing initiatives by visiting mccsc.edu.
