IPS Gets Grant From Salesforce.org For College, Career Prep

INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- Indianapolis Public Schools announces a grant from Salesforce.org that's supporting strong college and career preparation for the city's high school students. In a release sent to Patch, IPS shares that Salesforce.org, the philanthropic part of Salesforce, is donating $500,000, which will contribute to the opening of a new Information Technology Academy at George Washington High School starting in the 2018-2019 school year. IPS says the grant money will also help support new Future Centers aimed at actively engaging and helping students and families with college and career planning in Indianapolis.

According to IPS, the Information Technology Academy at George Washington High School will demonstrate the district's commitment to make sure students are enrolled in a two or four-year college or university, enlisted in the military or employed at a livable wage upon graduation.

In its one-year grant commitment, Salesforce.org will also fund extensive technology for IPS' new IT Academy, including state-of-the-art laptops and desktop computers, wireless high-speed internet and mobile charging devices provided to students in order to create an advanced learning environment, IPS says.

Salesforce.org is committed to making sure that IPS educators are prepared and engaged with careers in tech, IPS says, adding that the locally based nonprofit Nextch will facilitate teacher professional development and more that will connect IPS with local tech companies and professionals.

"We're thrilled to have a company like Salesforce.org, a juggernaut in the tech space, want to invest in IPS to advance STEM and tech education," said Superintendent Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee in a release sent to Patch. "Their support of our effort solidifies our new high school re-design and shows that the business community is ready to roll up their sleeves and make a big difference for our students and teachers."

IPS says the district and Salesforce.org recognize the importance of including families, communities, and employers in building youth that are prepared for the future, as the funding will build a culture of college and career success with programming for the entire family and community to prepare local youth for post-secondary success. This includes connecting area employers to the students' classroom experiences as an important part of ensuring that IPS students are ready for the careers of the future.

"It is fitting that a tech industry giant like Salesforce would not only have their name on the tallest building in our city, but would be leading the charge to ensure our city's youth are prepared to enter the 21st-century workforce," said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett in a release sent to Patch. "Indianapolis remains incredibly proud to have Salesforce call our city home. And thanks to this investment in our young people, I am confident that Salesforce, our local pipeline of talent, and the entire city of Indianapolis will thrive and grow for generations to come."

Bob Stutz, CEO of Marketing Cloud and Chief Analytics Officer of Salesforce, is also sharing his thoughts on the partnership.

"At Salesforce.org, we believe in investing in education to build a workforce that is more equitable, skilled, diverse, and future-ready," said Stutz in the release. "We're proud that Indianapolis is home to the second largest Salesforce hub outside of our headquarters, and we're committed to giving back to the communities in which we live and work."

According to to the district, the full lineup of IPS College and Career Options available in the Fall of 2018 includes:

George Washington High School

• Information Technology Academy
• Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering & Logistics Academy
• Business & Finance Academy

Arsenal Technical High School

• Construction, Engineering & Design Academy
• Math and Science
• Law and Public Policy
• New Tech
• Career Technology Center

Crispus Attucks High School

• Health Sciences Academy
• Teaching, Learning & Leading Academy

Shortridge High School

• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Career-Related
• Visual & Performing Arts and Humanities

Herron and Riverside High Schools

• Academic Honors Curriculum
• Advanced Placement
• Classical Methodology
• Community Internships
• Liberal Arts
• Visual and Performing Arts

Purdue Polytechnic High Schools

• Individualized, Project-Based STEM Focused Pathways

Thrival Academy: Indy

• 11th Grade Study Abroad Program of Blended Learning Strategies with Cultural Immersion

More information: myips.org

Photo credit: Shutterstock