By MARY & ZOSHA ROBERSON
For The Reporter
On Oct. 3 and 10, Sheridan Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Dave Mundy played host to two breakfast presentations for area business leaders and elected officials to share the great things happening at Sheridan Community Schools, particularly Sheridan High School, although Mundy added, “I could talk all day about the elementary and middle school, as well.”
Since Oct. 1, he has shared this information with over a dozen different groups. In conversations with the over 200 participants, Mundy shared, “We are succeeding in so many ways,” then outlined Blackhawk success stories.
Superintendent Dr. Dave Mundy speaks with a group of Sheridan community members about the ongoing achievements of the school system. (Photo provided by Sheridan Community Schools)
In the arts, the Sheridan High School band made the final 16 at the State Fair band competition.
“Our musical performances and plays are some of the best in the state,” Mundy said, “and we are seeing some of the highest levels of success in our art students, choirs, band students, and all the various areas of performing arts.”
Sheridan is known for its football program, which has been spotlighted this year with the 100th Homecoming, but it is far from the only successful program. Sheridan has 16 varsity sports, striving to have sports for students’ diverse interests and skill sets. These programs are seeing their highest levels of success as well. The girls’ soccer team won the conference for the second year in a row and was also the sectional champion losing in the regional championship in a hard-fought match.
“The volleyball team had its best season in school history, our boys’ soccer team has set new standards of success, and our Blackhawk football team has a great chance to go a long way in the playoffs,” Mundy said.
Mundy shared the importance of not just success in wins, but having a winning attitude, pointing to the fact that last year Sheridan received eight Exemplary Sportsmanship honors and has already received five this year.
Academically, Sheridan students are thriving with students being recognized for excellence by the College Board as one example. He also pointed out that the already impressive 96 percent graduation rate will likely increase since the formation of the Northern Hamilton County Academy, which provides alternative programming for students at risk of not graduating.
Mundy added that thanks to several donations from local groups and community members, robotics has become one of the fastest-growing clubs.
“Our female wrestling team is the quickest-growing athletic club we have added, and this team is having tremendous success,” Mundy said. “After just starting the program last year, we have already had a state qualifier and three wrestlers place in the top six at regionals.”
Mundy provided transfer data of students from out-of-district as documentation that Sheridan is doing things well in attracting students.
“Out-of-district students are a sign of the great things happening here, as well as assisting in our financial stability since in Indiana tuition support follows the student,” Mundy said. “We are currently at 176 transfer students, which is approximately 100 more than just six years ago. These are outstanding students who are joining us across the district. In fact, the average GPA of the transfer students in the high school last year was 3.54, which is tremendous.”
Speaking to business leaders, Mundy was excited to share news about expanding business partnerships in the area of student internships, with the district on track to meet the goal of 75 percent of seniors participating in an internship by 2026. The district has already gone from less than 10 percent to over 45 percent in just the first year of stressing the importance of this goal.
In the presentation, he noted that there are so many successes right now that it is difficult to mention them all. Mundy’s enthusiasm is definitely contagious, and with great pride, he noted, “We have always been the best kept secret in Hamilton County, now the entire state is seeing how awesome that secret has been. It’s time to let everyone see what our students, teachers, and entire community are excelling in.”
It seemed that everyone in the groups would agree: “It’s a great time to be a Blackhawk.”