A ceremonial groundbreaking Thursday marked the start of construction of a first-of-its-kind facility aimed at giving Perry Township Schools students an immersive, career-connected learning experience in business.
Last month, the school district announced the launch of their Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program, opening at the University of Indianapolis. It’s the state’s first university campus-based program of its kind for high school students.
Classes in the program began Wednesday, July 29, the first day of the new year at Perry Meridian and Southport high schools. The classes will be temporarily based at Martin Hall at University of Indianapolis while construction of a permanent base begins.
“Education should inspire students to discover what excites them while giving them the confidence to pursue it,” Perry Schools Superintendent Dr. Patrick Spray said. “This partnership with the University of Indianapolis allows our students to learn in an environment that mirrors the real world. They’ll solve authentic problems, work alongside professionals and gain experiences that simply can’t be replicated in a traditional classroom.”
One of the first tasks for program participants will be developing the name, logo and branding for the program, working to create the program’s identity.
“The partnership with Perry Township Schools reflects what higher education should look like,” UIndy President Tanuja Singh said. “By welcoming high school students to campus, we’re creating opportunities for them to explore new ideas, interact with a university community, and discover possibilities they may never have imagined otherwise.”
Construction of the 52,000-square-foot, $30 million center is expected by the start of the 2028 school year, officials said.
“This center represents a significant investment in our students and their futures,” said Spay. “We are are grateful to our partners at the University of Indianapolis for helping make this vision a reality.”
Click here to learn more about the program.
