Decade of
Accomplishments
Decade of Accomplishments
A Decade of Accomplishments
2003-2013
EXEMPLARY SCHOOLS MAKING EXTRAORDINARY PROGRESS
Unparalleled Opportunities
The MSD of Pike Township is one of the largest school communities in
the metropolitan Indianapolis area, with over 11,196 scholars, from
kindergarten to high school. It offers a wide variety of educational
programs to support the varied needs of its growing student population.
All learners are immersed in a college going culture and, at the high school
level, scholars are offered the opportunity to participate in the prestigious
International Baccalaureate Program, take advantage of Dual Credit
courses, and encouraged to participate in Advanced Placement® courses.
Exceptional Schools
The Metropolitan School District of Pike Township is an award winning
school district, widely regarded as an education leader for high academic
standards, innovative educational programs, state-of-the-art facilities,
strong parental and community partnerships, exceptional students and
acclaimed educators. Our district is comprised of nine elementary schools;
Central Elementary School, College Park Elementary School, Deer Run
Elementary School, Eagle Creek Elementary School, Eastbrook Elementary
School, Fishback Creek Public Academy, Guion Creek Elementary School,
New Augusta Public Academy – South, and Snacks Crossing Elementary
School, which serve students in kindergarten through fifth grade, three
middle schools; Guion Creek Middle School, Lincoln Middle School, and
New Augusta Public Academy – North, serving students in 6th through
8th grade, an independent Freshman Center, and Pike High School. Three
of our elementary schools, Eagle Creek Elementary School, Fishback Creek
Public Academy, and New Augusta Public Academy – South, and one of
our middle schools, New Augusta Public Academy – North, operate on a
continuous calendar schedule. We also have the
Pike Preparatory Academy, which serves middle
school scholars in need of additional support in the
areas of behavior and/or academics, as well as high
school students who benefit from an alternative
learning environment.
Extraordinary Scholars
Pike Township is recognized as a richly diverse community throughout the
state of Indiana and, the MSD of Pike Township proudly reflects its
community’s rich racial, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic diversity.
Pike schools are multiethnic. Fifty-nine percent of our scholars are African
American, 20% are Hispanic, 12% are White, 7% are Multiracial, and
2% are Asian. The district has more than 725 international students who
represent 65 countries and speak 80 native languages.
www.pike.k12.in.us
Over the past decade, I
have had the privilege
and pleasure of
working alongside the
dedicated educational
professionals of Pike
Township to fulfill
concrete and
measurable goals
Nathaniel Jones, Ed.S.
predicated upon
student success and
a culture of high expectations. To do
this, we enlisted our amazing students,
their families, and the incredible
community we serve to join us in
collectively striving toward a lofty
vision, based upon the shared belief
that the children of Pike Township are
tremendously talented, extremely
intelligent, and unquestionably capable
of accomplishing great things. All of
our efforts and the subsequent progress
that we have made has been centered
upon this shared belief and an
unwavering commitment to honor our
students for the unique and exceptional
individuals they are, by providing each
one of them with the strong educational foundation, essential character
building opportunities, and critical
personalized supports needed to realize
his or her utmost potential.
I would be remiss if I did not thank the
incredible educators and staff members
who have made this progress possible. I
would also like to acknowledge the
critical role the direction and support
of the MSD of Pike Township’s Board
of Education has played in this process.
I frequently reference our Pike
Township Family, and know that no
success would be possible without the
important contributions of each and
every one of our family members.
Strong Financial Foundation
Purposeful Planning
Due to strong fiscal management and annual efficiency reviews, our
district has experienced fiscal stability even in times of state revenue
reductions and a national economic downturn. This has resulted in a
sustained balanced budget in our operating funds, and allowed us to
maintain and expand essential programs, personnel, and resources in
order to meet the needs of our students. Furthermore, the MSD of Pike
Township’s fiscal financial reserves have continued to increase, with most
funds reaching the desired goal. With an average construction debt
repayment schedule of 4 to 6 years, we have been able to improve
facilities and facility equity while maintaining a level tax rate. Our
employee compensation package is one of the most competitive in the
area with employees receiving annual increases and excellent benefit
packages. All of these efforts earned our district an excellent bond rating
from Standard & Poor’s.
A gathering of over 100 students,
parents, educators, business owners,
and community members
volunteered to participate on our
District’s Strategic Planning
Committee, contributing their
time, talent, and unique
perspectives to help chart the course
for our district over the next five
years. Chief among the concerns raised was ensuring that
we do everything possible to prepare the learners of today
for the jobs of tomorrow, many of which may not have
even been envisioned.
Solid Infrastructure
Community Engagement
Comprehensive Blue Ribbon Plan
A comprehensive Blue Ribbon Plan has been completed and updated to
serve as a blueprint for facilities improvement, maintenance, and financial
planning.
State of the Art Facilities
Through strong fiscal management and the Blue Ribbon Plan, the district
boasts high quality facilities and equipment to meet the needs of students.
Successful Referendum
Strong community support and confidence in the district’s fiscal
strategies led to an extremely successful construction referendum for the
new Guion Creek Elementary School with every precinct voting in favor
of the referendum.
Targeted Programming
The Pike Township Early Childhood Program at Guion Creek
Elementary School was established to serve the children of Pike Township
staff and community members. The program is housed in specially
designed classrooms and uses developmentally appropriate curriculum
and instructional practices. Implementation of the curriculum promotes
the intellectual, social, emotional, artistic, and physical growth of
children ages 3-5 in an engaging, challenging, culturally responsive and
language rich environment. The program, which costs $150 per week,
operates on the traditional calendar schedule and is open from 6:30 a.m.
to 6:00 p.m. on instructional and teacher record days.
The Pike Preparatory Academy was established to serve middle school
students in need of additional support in the areas of behavior and/or
academics. The school provides students with a safe and intellectually
challenging environment, where they learn about and develop an
appreciation for various cultures, careers, and the performing arts. Our
faculty works closely with parents to foster an atmosphere that promotes
a learning community characterized by child-centered instruction, in a
no nonsense nontraditional learning environment. A strong emphasis on
clearly defined academic and behavioral expectations prepares each
student to be socially and academically successful. The program also
serves high school students who benefit from an alternative learning
environment.
Pike Township established a Newcomer’s Program to meet the needs of
our growing population of English Language Learners. The program,
which was developed to support students in the earliest stages of language
development, incorporates a number of teaching strategies and relies on
best practices to meet the individual needs of each student, providing
them with targeted instruction and addressing each child’s specific needs
and learning level.
The MSD of Pike Township is extremely fortunate to
enjoy the active partnership and support of numerous
businesses and organizations throughout our community.
Our schools regularly host family nights, Pike High
School hosts an annual Safe Trick-or-Treat event, and the
Pike Township Educational Foundation hosts the Race
for Education to raise money to fund student scholarships
and outstanding learning opportunities. Our district also
invites the entire community to join us for Homecoming,
an annual weeklong celebration of Pike pride, which
includes a Multicultural Festival, a Powder-Puff Game,
and a Pre-Game Carnival. In addition, several local
organizations, businesses, colleges, and universities join us
to present our annual Community Math & Science Fair,
which takes place in March, and our annual Community
Literacy Fair, which occurs in April.
Scholarship Offers & Awards
HONOR
Gates Millennium Scholars
Pike has celebrated a record four
Gates Millennium Scholars:
2007 Sayo T. Akinyosoye
2008 Eric A. Majors
2009 Nahom Tecle
2012 Amanuel Kibrom
Over the past decade, our
graduates have received an
impressive array of scholarship
offers and awards.
Alumni Hall of Fame
Pike Township’s Alumni Hall of Fame was established in 2008 to
recognize the outstanding contributions of the countless graduates who
personify the strong foundation upon which the proud tradition of
Pike High School was built. To date, our inductees include this
illustrious group of accomplished men and women.
2008 Hall of Fame Inductees:
David Gadis
Jay Bradley
Gary Misamore
Kelly Lloyd
Hank Phillipe Ryan
(Ann Sablosky)
Tony Prather
Clarence Wood
Jim Kittle
Zara Larsen
Bruce Monroe
2011 Hall of Fame Inductees:
CAPT Jeff Amick
Gloria Cobb
Peter Carmichael
BJ Nichols
2012 Hall of Fame Inductees:
Yolanda (Bacon) King
David Wood
Chris Gahl
2013 Hall of Fame Inductees:
Peter Dunn
Experts have cited and research has frequently shown a
strong correlation between involvement in extracurricular
activities such as athletics and the arts, and academic
success. Pike Township is proud to offer a wide array of
valuable activities and service experiences to ensure our
scholars have the opportunity to continue to learn and
grow outside of the classroom.
Athletics & Wellness
2010 Hall of Fame Inductees:
Tim Cindric
Jerry Smartt
MG Erika Steuterman
Tom French
2009 Hall of Fame Inductees:
Class of 2006 - Graduation Rate - 73.2%
Class of 2007 - Over $6.5 million
Graduation Rate - 72%
Class of 2008 - Over $8.8 million
Graduation Rate - 75.5%
Class of 2009 - Over $12 million
Graduation Rate - 88.3%
Class of 2010 - Over $11 million
Graduation Rate - 89.3%
Class of 2011 - Over $10 million
Graduation Rate - 91.8%
Class of 2012 - Over $12 million
Graduation Rate - 93.03%
Class of 2013 - Over $9.1 million
Graduation Rate - Available October 2013
Gina Evans- Rob Macomber Dawn Whitehead
Hundall
The MSD of Pike Township is committed to assisting
families in their efforts to help children develop
habits that promote healthy lifestyles. Through a
program called Pike’s Place, which was implemented
in 2005, we strengthened the relationship between our
district and area youth league organizations. This has both
expanded and enhanced the fitness opportunities available
to our community’s youngest athletes. We also focused on
improving the connections between our middle and high
school athletic programs. We are proud to have nearly 800
students participate in our award-winning athletic
programs at PHS, which consist of 42 teams, 75 coaches,
and 19 IHSAA sanctioned sports, as well as cheerleading.
It is also worth noting, Pike’s average of 12 athletic
scholarships per year well exceeds the national average.
The Arts
Nichole Wilson
Selected Alumni, who
have achieved remarkable
success in their
respective fields and
positively impacted the
communities in which
they live, are honored at
an annual awards
program, which includes
the recognition of the
academic achievements
of the Top 30 students
from that year’s
graduating class.
In Pike Township the arts are valued as not just an extra,
but as a necessary exploration of humanity and self. Our
students are introduced to the arts through rich
experiences from day one. This continues at Pike High
School where our Performing Arts Department is one
of the largest and most comprehensive in the state, with
over 1,000 talented students participating in five concert
bands, two jazz bands, six orchestras, eight choirs,
numerous theatrical groups, winter drum line, winter
guard, pep band, two marching bands, and a dance
ensemble. Our Visual Arts Department is just
as diverse, allowing students to explore their
own artistic skills through sculpture, paints,
ceramics, dimensional design, photography,
and other media.
2003-04
•The C.L.E.A.R. Lab was awarded the Mayor’s Excellence in Education Award •Pike community celebrated the opening of the PFC
•FCPA & GCES were both named a Four Star School
•Current SCES Principal and former ECES teacher Mariama Carson received the prestigious National Milken Educator Award
•5 National Merit Finalists, 8 Semifinalists & 2 National Merit Semifinalists (2003)
2004-05
•Molly Seward (SCES/NAS) was named the Indiana State Teacher of the Year
2005-06
•4 National Merit & 1 National Achievement Semifinalist(s)
•Standard & Poor’s recognized Pike for significantly narrowing the black-white and Hispanic-white achievement gaps
•EES received a $25,000 Academic Achievement Award from the IDOE through the Distinguished Schools Program
•Jennifer Osborne (GCMS/PHS) was named the 2006 State Gifted Teacher of the Year
•FCPA was named a Four Star School
• 3 National Merit Finalists & 4 Semifinalists (2005); 5 National Merit Finalists (2006)
•Pike was awarded a $2.5 million USDOE Smaller Learning Communities Grant for PHS
2006-07
•FCPA was named a Four Star School
•5 National Merit Finalists/Semifinalists & 23 International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidates
•Superintendent Nathaniel Jones received Indiana University’s School of Education’s Distinguished Alumni Award (2007)
•Pike received its first multi-year Mathematics & Science Partnership Grant for $450,000 •3 National Achievement Finalists/Semifinalists
Evidence of Excellence
2007-08
•The PHS Brain Game Team won the State Championship, earning $10,000 for their school
•Current LMS Principal and former PFC teacher Dan Kuznik was named the Indiana State Teacher of the Year
•Deborah Teuscher (PHS) received the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics & Science Teaching
•Derek Moyers (PHS) was named the State Football Coach of the Year •Multi-Purpose Stadium Dedication
•Pike received a four year 21st Century Learning Center After School Program Grant for over $1 million
•3 National Merit, 1 National Achievement Finalist(s), 4 National Merit & 2 National Achievement Semifinalists & 7 IB Candidates
2008-09
•The GCMS 8th grade Academic Team took 1st place at the Marion County Academic Tournament
•FCPA was named a Four Star School
•ECES was recognized by the IDOE as an Exemplary School
•The PHS Robotics Team placed first in the Buckeye Regional Competition •Pike hosted its first Community Math & Science Fair
•The PHS Westside Rhythm Drumline won the Class A State Championship
•The GCES Spell Bowl Team placed third in the Indiana Academic Spell Bowl
•Twelve members of PHS Business Professionals of America qualified for the National Leadership Conference
•The PHS Boys Basketball team earned the Class 4A Sectional Championship
•Pike celebrated 2 National Merit Finalists, 3 National Merit Semifinalist, 1 National Achievement Finalist, 2 National Achievement
Semifinalist, 29 AP® Scholars, 4 Scholars with Honor, 21 Scholars with Distinction, 4 National Scholars & 15 IB Diploma Candidates
•Pike’s Peek Yearbook staff received the highest national ranking from the National Scholastic Press Association & a record 9 Harvey Awards
•The cast members of PHS’ production of Children of Eden were invited to perform at Broadway Cares - The Lion King Sings Tonight
•Mariama Carson (ECES/SCES) received the 2009 Breakthrough Women Award from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women
•Malcolm Hooks was named the Golden Torch Award’s Pre-College Student of the Year by the National Society of Black Engineers
2009-10
•The community celebrated the opening of the new Eastbrook Elementary School
•Pike hosted its first annual Community Literacy Fair •The PTEF hosted their first annual Race for Education
•ECES was recognized by the IDOE as an Exemplary School & received the Four Star School Award
•The PHS Westside Rhythm Drumline won their second Class A State Championship
•The PHS Girls Cross Country and Boys Soccer Teams won County Championships. Girls Cross Country
also won the IHSAA Regional Championship, and the Baseball Team won the Sectional Championship
•The PHS Football Family won the Conference Indiana Title for the second time in just three years
•Allan Washington became the 1st person in the history of the prestigious Prelude Competition to win 3 consecutive awards in Theatre
•PHS Senior Sam Weinberg was named an Academic All-Star and was one of only two students recognized as a State AP Scholar
•PHS students Amiah Mims and John Haliburton were named semifinalists in the Prelude Award Competition in the area of Visual Arts
•Pike celebrated 3 National Merit Finalists, 29 AP® Scholars, 4 Scholars with Honor, 21 Scholars with Distinction & 4 National Scholars
•GCMS 6th, 7th, & 8th grade teams placed 1st in the County in the Indiana Math League Contest •9 IB Diploma Candidates
•The PHS Spell Bowl Team advanced to State for the 8th year in a row & the Decathlon Team advanced to State for the 16th year in a row
•The district hosted Pike Helps Haiti, raising over $14,900 for the Red Cross to help earthquake victims in Haiti
•PHS students Jasmine Joiner, Sarah Scott, and Dwight Sonnier won the African-American History Challenge
•Seven PHS students were recognized by the Center for Leadership Development
•PHS Business Academy Leader Jeanne Burroughs was inducted into the Business Professionals of America Hall of Fame and selected to receive
the Indiana Business Education Association’s 2010 Outstanding Teacher Award
•Media Specialists Tammie Buchanan (FCPA) and Lauren Kniola (NAS) received Blue Ribbon Program Awards from the Indiana Library
Federation and AIME. Mrs. Buchanan was also recognized with the Indiana Library Federation’s Outstanding New Media Specialist Award
•Pike received its second 3-year Mathematics & Science Partnership Grant for $375,000
•GCES received a $25,000 Academic Achievement Award from the IDOE through the Distinguished Schools Program
•GCES was named a 2009-10 Outstanding/Successful School by the Association of Teacher Educators
•Sarah Spearman (PFC) was recognized as the Exemplary High School Counselor by the Indiana School Counselor Association
•The PHS Brain Game Team advanced to “Elite Eight” status
•PHS Senior Aaron Snyder was selected for the National Press Association Honor Roll
•Connie Ault (GCMS) received the 2010 Indiana Athletic Trainers Association Athletic Director of the Year Award
•Norm Leonard (PHS) was selected as one of only 26 educators to participate in the Toyota International Teacher Program
•Six PHS students scored in the top 20th percentile on the National Financial Capability Challenge
•PHS hosted the first annual Pike High School Track & Field Invitational
•PHS became the first high school in the United States to present Alan Lydiard’s adaptation of 1984
•Implemented the Extra-Curricular 2.0 GPA & Safety Net Participation System for students in grades 4-12
2010-11
•In 2011 Pike completed the $5.5 million Project C.L.E.A.R. (Community Legacy of Educational Achievement and Responsibility) Grant, funded
through the Lilly Endowment, Inc. Marion County Public School Initiative in 2001
•Marquis Teague (PHS) was selected for the USA Men’s Basketball Roster for the World U17 Championship and the prestigious McDonald’s AllAmerican Basketball Team. Teague, a senior, was also named as a Finalist for the 2011 High School Naismith Award
•GCMS & LMS were selected by the Indiana Department of Education to receive Gold Star School Counseling Awards
•Pike hosted its first annual Homecoming Carnival and invited the community to join us in a weeklong celebration of Pike Pride
•4 National Merit Finalists, 5 National Merit Semifinalists & 2 National Achievement Semifinalists
•Pike celebrated PHS IHSAA Girls Cross Country, Boys Cross Country, and Boys Soccer Sectional Championships, Girls Cross Country and Boys
Soccer Regional Championships, a Boys Basketball County Tournament & Sectional Championship, a Marion County Freshman Wrestling
Tournament Championship, and the Varsity Football Team advanced to Sectional Finals
•One of our exceptional Pike High School students earned the highest possible score of 36 on the ACT
•PHS was awarded a grant to fund the multimedia Pike High School College and Career Library Collection/Instructional Area
•PHS senior Nandita Chittajallu was named a Wells Scholars scholarship recipient for the fall class of freshman at Indiana University
•ECES educator Robin Lawrence was recognized as one of the five finalists for the Indiana State High Ability Teacher of the Year Award
•The 2010 Pike’s Peek Yearbook, Expressions, was named a Hoosier Star Finalist by the Indiana High School Press Association
•Three PHS band members were selected to be part of the All-State Band Concert
•GCES 4th grader Semira Killebrew won 3 national titles and set a national record at the AAU Indoor Northern National Championships
•PHS senior Audra Kriauciunas appeared on Wish TV channel 8 to discuss the nationwide release of her first book, Crown of Dreams
•Mr. Douglas Coats was inducted into the Business Professionals of America Hall of Fame
•PHS Wrestler Kameron James was named to The Indianapolis Star’s Super Team •Cameron Crabtree was named to the AP’s All-State Team
•The PHS Westside Rhythm Drumline won their third consecutive Indiana Percussion Association State Championship
•Bezawit Enyew (PHS) received the 2011 Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship for her outstanding community service
•Tre Sanders (PHS) was elected Governor of Key Club for the State; Maddie Downs (PFC) was appointed Lieutenant Governor for the Indy Metro
Region of Key Club International •23 International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidates
•Ten PHS students were honored for their achievements at the 25th annual Indianapolis Professional Association Achievement Awards Breakfast
2011-12
•Pike High School’s 2011 Graduation Rate was 91.8%. Pike High School’s 2011 non-waiver graduation rate was 81%
•Pike High School’s 90.1% Graduation Rate for minority students was among the highest in the state
•PHS was one of 6 schools in the state to receive an Academic Distinction Award from the Indiana ACT Council and ACT Midwest Region
•The incredible student-athletes on the PHS Boys Basketball team had an exceptional season, which culminated with a trip to the State Finals and
the title of State Runner-Ups; PHS Boys Basketball Coach, Mr. Bill Zych, was recognized with the Conference Indiana Coach of the Year award
•The Class of 2012 boasted: 2 National AP® Scholars, 44 AP® Scholars, 19 Scholars with Distinction, 16 Scholars with Honor,
15 International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidates, & 1 Gates Millennium Scholar
•Pike was one of fewer than 400 public school districts in the nation to be named to the College Board’s 2nd Annual AP® District Honor Roll
•Pike celebrated 4 National Merit Semifinalists & 2 National Achievement Semifinalists
•Pike students received 24.5% of the UNCF State of Indiana Scholarship Awards
•PHS was selected to participate in the Advanced Placement™ Training and Incentive Program for Indiana funded by the National
Math and Science Initiative and received funding to expand AP math, science, and English programs
•GCMS educator Mr. Wilson Reyes was presented with the highly prestigious Milken Educator Award, joining an elite group of
approximately 2,500 educators from throughout the nation
•Sandra Baker (2011), Pike’s middle school math coach, and SCES educator Jeffrey Berry (2012) were named as finalists for the
Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST)
•The PHS Football Team won a Sectional Championship for only the second time in school history, the PHS Boys Soccer Team were
Sectional Championship Runner-ups, the Girls Soccer Team were Conference Champions and Sectional Runner-Ups, Girls Cross Country
advanced to Semi-State, and 22 student-athletes received individual Academic All-State, All-Conference, or All-County recognitions
•Forty-five outstanding PHS scholars qualified for Business Professionals of America’s State competition
•Tyler Hutchinson (PHS) placed 3rd in the Indiana Poetry Out Loud Competition
•For the first time in PHS history, Marching Band made Semi-State
•PHS donated $3,000 to Henryville High School, which was destroyed by a tornado
•For the second year in a row, Pike Freshman won the Marion County Boys Basketball Tournament
•Pike was selected to host the NFL PREP: Super Bowl XLVI - Sports Career Expo™
2012-13
•Pike was recognized on Newsweek’s list of America’s Best High Schools
•Pike was ranked 16th on the Washington Post’s list of “Top 60 Schools in Indiana” for college readiness
•GCMS was named a 2013 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School
•Pike celebrated 3 National Merit Finalists, 1 National Achievement Finalist, 4 National Merit Semifinalists, 2 National Achievement Semifinalists,
8 National Merit Commended Students & 22 International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidates
•The NAS Library was named the American Association of School Librarians’ 2013 National School Library Program of the Year
•SCES Assistant Principal Candace Ewing received the National Milken Award
•2010 Pike grad Gabriel Rangel became the first student to be named Purdue’s College of Agriculture’s Outstanding Student all four years
•Pike community celebrated the opening of the new GCES
•The PHS Robodevils placed 2nd in the FIRST Robotics Competition
•PHS was named Best in State for the 2013 Innovative App Challenge •NANC’s 6th Grade Academic Team Won the Marion County Tournament
•Jalen Allen (PHS) was selected as a winner of the prestigious Mid-Year Sports Contest & was recognized at the First Amendment Symposium
•Daniel Robinson (PHS) was named Second Runner-Up in the 2013 Indiana Poetry Out Loud Contest
•Pike was selected to receive a federal counseling grant from the U.S. DOE, which will total $1,179,000 over the course of three
years, and was the only recipient from the state to receive a $1,720,679 federal PEP Grant. Annual federal grant funding of close to $1,000,000
allows us to provide after-school programs for approximately 500 students
•There are currently 3 PHS graduates competing in the NBA, 1 graduate in the NFL, and 2 Olympians
•Pike Menz Choir were named State Finalists, Constiques were named State Runner-Up at the ISSMA State Concert Finals & Spectacular Dancers
won Regionals
•The PHS Boys Basketball team was crowned Sectional Champions & several players received individual honors
•Pike received one of only 24 State awards for 21st Community Learning Center After School Programs
SCHOLARSHIP
EXCELLENCE
Dedicated Educators
In 2012 Pike was one of only three school districts in Marion County with
ISTEP+ results that exceeded the state increases for three consecutive years.
ISTEP+ scores at the elementary level made especially significant gains.
Any discussion about what makes Pike
Township such a special place to learn and grow
would be incomplete without mention of the
dedicated professional educators at the heart of
that success. We are proud to have a plethora of
award-winning educators working in schools and
classrooms throughout our district; however, we
are even more pleased by the knowledge that these
educators are truly representative of all of our great
learning leaders.
Pike High School was named to Newsweek’s list of America’s Best High Schools.
Pike High School was ranked 16th in the state on the Washington Post’s List of
America’s Most Challenging High Schools.
MSD of Pike Township earned the highly coveted District NCA Accreditation
with eight commendations. The site visit team stated that the high number of
commendations was unprecedented.
Standard & Poor’s recognized the MSD of Pike Township for Narrowing the
Achievement Gap.
Pike was one of fewer than 400 public school districts in the nation to be
honored with a place on the College Board’s 2nd Annual AP® Honor Roll.
Guion Creek Middle School was named a 2013 U.S. Department of
Education Green Ribbon School.
Named on Newsweek’s 2013 List of America’s Best High Schools
Approximately 3 years ago, the National Student Clearinghouse was created
with participation from the majority of our nation’s colleges and
universities to track high school students and provide valuable
data regarding their subsequent educational endeavors.
According to the Clearinghouse, 89.58% of our graduates from
the class of 2008 enrolled in college, with an 80.46% Persistence
Rate, meaning that over 80% of graduates have either graduated
from college, or are still pursuing their postsecondary degrees.
Pike High School Success
• Pike exceeds the state average for graduation rate:
Pike’s graduation rate is 91.8%; Pike’s non-waiver rate is 81%
• Pike High School students regularly earn millions of dollars in
scholarship offers and awards. In fact, the amount has increased from
$2.5 million in 2003 to over $12 million in 2012
• In 2012, the Pike High School students taking ACT continued to
score above the national average in regards to composite scores by
race/ethnicity:
Black/African American
White
Hispanic
Pike
18.4
24.7
19.5
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Pike High School has always been known for offering a robust
curriculum that prepares graduates for future success; however, over the
course of the last decade, as evidenced by a series of prestigious local and
national recognitions, our graduation rate, and the postsecondary success
of our graduates, concerted efforts to advance to the next level of excellence
have paid off.
Our educators have earned prestigious awards
including, but not limited to:
National Average
17
22.4
18
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
2005 State Teacher of the Year, Molly Seward
2008 State Teacher of the Year, Dan Kuznik
2013 Milken Award Winner, Candace Ewing
2012 Milken Award Winner, Wilson Reyes
2004 Milken Award Winner, Mariama Carson
2007 State Teacher of the Year Finalist, Tina Greene
2008 Indiana German Teacher of the Year,
Martha Finneran
2009 Indiana School Counselor of the Year,
Sarah Spearman
2006 State Business & Marketing Teacher of the
Year, Douglas Coats
2006 State Gifted Teacher of the Year,
Jennifer Osborne
2007 Presidential Award for Excellence in Math
and Science Teaching, Deborah Teuscher
Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and
Science Teaching Finalists: Julie Sigmund (2010),
Sandra Baker (2011), Jeffery Berry (2012)
2009 Atlantick-Bruecke Teacher Travel Recipient,
Andy Blythe
2008 Center for Leadership Development Educator
of the Year, Pat Burton
Over the course of the program, our district
celebrated 21 IPL Golden Apple Award Winners
Since just 2006, our district has celebrated 13 Lilly
Teacher Creativity Grant Recipients
2008 Lilly Science Outreach Grant Recipient,
Deborah Calhoun
2010 Marion County High School Principal of the
Year, Troy Inman
2010 Marion County Middle School Principal of
the Year, Kurt Benjamin
Toyota International Teacher Fellow, Norm
Leonard (2010), Mariatu Swayne (2005)
2010 Lowe’s Hero Grant Award, Norm Leonard
2007 YWCA Salute to Women of Achievement
Educator of the Year, Evelyn Gearries
2006 Wal-Mart Indiana Teacher of the Year, Beth
Rutz
• Pike High School was selected to participate in the Advanced
•
Placement® Training and Incentive Program for Indiana funded by the
National Math & Science Initiative, which provides funding to expand
•
AP math, science, and English Programs
• Pike High School has had a record number of students honored as
Gates Millennium Scholars (2007, 2008, 2009, 2012).
• There has been a 44% increase in the number of students earning a 3,
4, or 5 on Advanced Placement® Tests
• 24% of 11th & 12th graders completed Advanced Placement® courses
• There has been a substantial increase in the number of students earning
Core 40, Honors, and International Baccalaureate Diplomas
• In 2012, Pike students received 24.5% of the UNCF Scholarships
National Milken Award Winners
offered in Indiana
State Teacher of the Year