When we celebrate our graduates, we celebrate the strength of Indiana’s public schools

In February, our nation celebrated Public Schools Week, a time dedicated to recognizing the essential role public schools play in shaping the lives of young people and strengthening the communities they call home.

Yet public schools deserve more recognition than a single week can provide. Strong public schools prepare students academically, socially, and emotionally. They nurture curiosity, build confidence, and help young people discover who they are and what they can become. They serve as gathering places, support networks, and hubs of connection. And they are instrumental to our country’s future.

Public education is one of Indiana’s greatest assets. But great schools don’t happen by accident. Their success is made possible thanks to the exceptional caliber of our teachers, administrators, and staff – the people who greet our students each morning, who guide their learning, who care for their wellbeing, and who create the conditions for every child to grow.

Across our district, we see the results of that partnership every day through strong academic growth across all grade levels. At the high school, 95.2 percent of seniors graduated, 225 students earned dual credit, and more than 100 students participated in off‑campus CTE or work‑based learning, with juniors showing a 33‑point PSAT‑to‑SAT gain. At the middle school, over 92 percent of eighth graders earn multiple high school credits, all grades scored above the state average on ILEARN, and every student engages in immersive real‑world learning. At the elementary school, early literacy is accelerating across all grades – including third-grade fluency rising from 67 percent to 95 percent – supported by strong SEL practices and hands‑on learning experiences. Together, these achievements reflect the collective strength of Hamilton Heights and our shared commitment to ensuring every student thrives.

As this school year draws to a close, we are reminded of what this work is all about: preparing students who will thrive after graduation. Each graduate represents years of effort from teachers, families, bus drivers, food service workers, custodians, counselors, and countless others who supported them along the way. Our graduates are Indiana’s future workforce, future leaders, and future community members. When we celebrate our graduates, we celebrate the strength of Indiana’s public schools and the promise they hold for our state.

For me, this work carries personal meaning. I am a proud graduate of Hamilton Heights, and the experiences I had in our public schools shaped the trajectory of my life. The teachers, coaches, and mentors who invested in me helped spark a calling that led to a lifelong career in public education. I am one of countless examples of how a strong public school can change the direction of a young person’s life, and I am grateful every day to serve the same community that invested in me and continues to inspire me.

When we invest in public education, we invest in Indiana’s future, and that is a commitment worth celebrating every day.

Dr. Derek Arrowood serves as the superintendent of Hamilton Heights School Corporation.