School spotlight: New Palestine High School

New Palestine High School is a public school corporation located in New Palestine, Indiana, within the southern portion of Hancock County. Southern Hancock County is a mix of suburban and rural areas making up a total population of almost 20,000 people. The Community School Corporation of Southern Hancock County has six schools – three elementary schools, one junior high school, one intermediate school, and one high school –  serving approximately 3800 students by roughly 600 staff. Our staff strives daily to provide an environment in which knowledge and skills are developed and excellence is pursued.

The pinnacle of the Southern Hancock academic experience is attending our New Palestine High School. Under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Lisa Lantrip and Principal Jim Voelz, NPHS provides all students the opportunity to actively pursue their interests and explore their college, career, and/or trade aspirations. This allows every student to achieve their personal best. The New Palestine High School Early College program (NPEC), in partnership with Vincennes University, began in 2016 with the 2020 cohort. The NPEC program had 24 students graduate earning the Indiana College Core and 15 students graduating with their associate degree.

The program has grown since then, with the 2023 cohort earning 10 Indiana College Core certificates and 28 associate degrees. The number of college credits earned has increased as well, from 2,853 credits earned by the class of 2020 to 4,321 credits earned by the class of 2023. The NPEC program is continuing to increase the number of dual credit credentialed staff as well, thanks to Teach Dual Credit Indiana and STEM Teach, with five additional teachers currently working toward their credentialed status.