From Classroom to Career: Perry Central’s P-CAP Program Redefines High School
At just 18 years old, Lucas Harth stepped into a role traditionally reserved for seasoned professionals—and exceeded expectations. As a high school intern at Thermwood Corporation, he secured a full-time position as a field service technician, a job typically held by experienced workers.
“We’ve never hired anyone this young for this role,” said Susan Miller, director of human resources at Thermwood. “But Lucas is rocking it! Customers are requesting him by name. Filling this position through our partnership with Perry Central is a win-win-win!”
Harth is just one of the many students benefiting from Perry Central’s innovative approach to aligning high school learning with career readiness, and Pathways to Careers and Postsecondary (P-CAP) is one of the models that has helped the school build bridges from education to the workforce.
Developed by the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of Indianapolis, P-CAP integrates career pathways, real-world learning experiences, and postsecondary preparation to ensure students graduate with the skills and credentials needed for in-demand careers and lifelong success.
“P-CAP has really helped us tie everything together into a stronger, more comprehensive program for all students.”
– Jody French, Perry central jr-sr high school principal
A School Rooted in Innovation
Perry Central is a small, rural school with a student body spanning preschool through grade 12 under one roof. Located in the heart of the Hoosier National Forest, the school has a long-standing reputation for its forward-thinking approach to education.
“We’ve always been an innovative district,” said Jody French, principal of Perry Central. “We were offering dual credit before people really knew what it was. We had some of the first computers. As a student here, I thought the Commodore computer was named after the Perry Central Commodores!”
During the 2022-23 school year, the district launched P-CAP after visiting schools in New York through a CELL-led site visit. The experience inspired Perry Central school leaders to implement the model, integrating initiatives they had already been working on separately—including project-based learning (PBL) and career pathways—into a single, cohesive approach.
“P-CAP has really helped us tie everything together into a stronger, more comprehensive program for all students,” French said.
“Anytime we can present information to students in a way that lets them learn not only the academic content but also the professional skills, like teambuilding and communication, school becomes more engaging and relevant to the real world.“
– Jody French, principal, Perry central jr-sr high school
Bridging the Gap for Every Student
A unique feature of Perry Central’s P-CAP implementation is its whole-school approach. Rather than focusing on career-connected learning for a cohort of students, the school ensures all students—from high achievers to those at risk of dropping out—engage in meaningful, real-world experiences.
“I always say that having technical skills plus academic skills equals success,” said French.
The school offers 12 career pathways aligned with the high-demand, high-wage jobs available in the region. Tracks include advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, biomedical science, and precision agriculture. These pathways not only prepare students for college but also provide industry-recognized credentials that give them an edge in the job market.
This means Perry Central students aren’t just reading about engineering—they’re developing products for real companies. They aren’t just talking about agriculture—they’re growing the lettuce served in their cafeteria and supplying fresh produce to the local food pantry. The school’s partnerships with businesses, from small local employers to international corporations, are redefining what education looks like for every student.
“P-CAP is what’s best for kids,” said French. “Anytime we can present information to students in a way that lets them learn not only the academic content but also the professional skills, like teambuilding and communication, school becomes more engaging and relevant to the real world.”
“What has impressed me most is the depth in which the students problem-solve.”
– Susan miller, director of human resources, thermwood Corporation
Creating A-Plus Problem-Solvers
A defining aspect of P-CAP is its focus on workplace challenges—real industry problems that students help solve. When global company Boston International faced supply chain issues with its shelving displays, they didn’t connect with outside experts. They turned to Perry Central students.
“Our students got to work designing a knockdown shelf,” French said. “They created different iterations, took the designs to our school-based manufacturing facility, and developed a business plan. Now, Perry Central is the sole vendor for Boston International’s shelves.”
Students also partnered with Jasper Group, a furniture manufacturer, to design a tool that tests weight thresholds of chairs before entering production. Another group worked with Jasper Engines to develop custom tool holders. Exploring heat transfer combined classroom labs and consultations with an HVAC specialist.
“What has impressed me most is the depth in which the students problem-solve,” said Miller. “They understand continuous improvement. They are not satisfied with the status quo. They want to make sure the solution they provide is better than what we would have come up with on our own.”
Internships That Launch Careers
Perry Central also offers an extensive internship program. Currently, 70 students participate in full-day internships every Wednesday, partnering with 46 different businesses. Given the school’s rural location, building strong employer relationships proved crucial.
“The only major employer in our school district is the state prison. So, we’ve had to work really hard to reach beyond our borders to be creative to making these opportunities happen,” French said.
For students like Abbigail Bryant-Miller, a junior in the Construction Technology pathway, the hands-on learning approach has been transformative. “I feel lucky to be part of this program,” she said. “Being able to build homes and give back to my community has made me more engaged in school. I’m excited to start my day knowing I get to be part of something amazing.”
The P-CAP Teacher Transformation
P-CAP isn’t just changing student experiences—it’s reshaping how teachers approach education. The team at Perry Central has embraced project-based learning, making their instruction more dynamic and meaningful.
“Anytime kids are more engaged and excited about their learning, it makes you want to come back as a teacher,” French said. “P-CAP helps pull out strengths in students that a traditional school doesn’t always do. That brings some excitement and shows teachers the value of the model.”
One educator conducted an action research study comparing student performance before and after P-CAP implementation, finding that students performed significantly better with hands-on learning. The findings bolstered the district’s decision to restructure the school week to provide staff with more dedicated collaboration time for developing projects and sharing ideas.
“We’re working with our community to see Perry Central as a pipeline to college and career training center.”
– Jody French, principal, Perry central jr-sr high school
The Future of High School Education Starts Here
Perry Central shows that high school can be more than textbooks and lectures—it can be a launchpad for careers and college success. By bridging the gap between education and industry, the school ensures students leave with much more than a diploma.
“We’re working with our community to see Perry Central as a pipeline to college and career training center,” French said. “It’s a shift in mindset about what school is supposed to be.”
As more schools explore ways to engage students and prepare them for the workforce, Perry Central proves that P-CAP works. The model isn’t just improving grades and attendance. It’s changing lives, strengthening the community, and preparing students for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
Interested in bringing P-CAP to your school or district? Applications for the next cohort are open through April 11. Contact Tracy Butler, CELL’s director of postsecondary readiness, at butlert@uindy.edu to learn more.