Southridge High School early college prep success sets up mentorship

Now, Southridge High School will help other rural high schools expand access to advanced coursework through the Rural Early College Network 2.0

Southridge High School has been selected by the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of Indianapolis to be a mentor school in the Rural Early College Network (RECN) 2.0 as part of a $10 million Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

Through RECN 2.0, CELL will help rural high schools in 20 districts provide advanced coursework and build a pipeline of qualified dual credit teachers, improving college-going for underserved students.

Southridge High School will mentor three other rural high schools as part of the initiative, providing collaboration among school leadership teams.

Southridge High School participated in the first iteration of the RECN project, which was launched in 2019 through an EIR grant and served 20 schools over six years. In RECN 1.0, Southridge High School received mentorship from another rural high school to expand its Early College program and earned Early College endorsement–or accreditation–from CELL in 2023. Now, as a mentor for RECN 2.0, Southridge High School will have the opportunity to support other rural high schools, reducing barriers that keep students from going to college.

RECN 1.0 saw impressive results; for the 2022 cohort of RECN 1.0, 75% of Early College High School graduates went to college, compared to a 53% state average.

“RECN’s impact on the current and future students of Southridge High School is remarkable. Through the guidance and support of CELL, Southridge offers a unique opportunity for our students to change the trajectory of their educational experience and help them in reaching their personal goals,” said Greg Gogel, Principal of Southridge High School.

Early College is a nationally recognized model enabling students to earn college credit while in high school. Early College programs specifically serve underserved students, including first-generation students, students eligible for free/reduced lunch, students of color and English language learners, all of whom are statistically underrepresented in higher education. 

In Indiana, CELL endorses high-quality Early College High Schools based on their adherence to targeting underserved students and meeting seven other core principles, such as establishing a college-going culture and providing strong student support. CELL’s Early College work also enables schools to offer the Indiana College Core – a block of 30 general education credits transferable to any state and many private universities – helping schools meet state requirements and giving students a head start on future plans. Southridge High School is now one of 60 high schools recognized as endorsed Early College High Schools.

The 2025 cohort, or this year’s senior class, is on pace to set new records for Southridge High School. 76 students are eligible as members of the Southridge Early College, 52 earning the Indiana College Core 30, 28 Associate Degrees, and two students with two associate degrees before graduating high school. Last year’s class saved $1.7 million in first-year tuition at their respective college/university.

Schools in RECN 1.0 earned the recognition of becoming a CELL-endorsed Early College High School 1.5 years faster than average through intensive mentoring and development. RECN 1.0 also helped schools grow their pipeline of qualified dual credit teachers. Across the 20 schools, 127 teachers are now credentialed to teach dual credit courses, with 71 teachers credentialed or on track to become credentialed through the project. RECN 2.0 will help CELL serve a new cohort of schools and apply lessons learned from RECN 1.0, including the addition of professional development for dual credit teachers and school counselors. 

“RECN’s emphasis on relationships through our network activities generated positive impacts on each school, its staff, students and families,” said Janet Boyle, Director of the Rural Early College Network at CELL. “Over $15 million in tuition savings was realized by the 20 RECN schools, and Early College is now an established, vital offering in each school.”