COLUMBUS, Ind. – iGrad, a support program for Bartholomew County middle and high school students administered by Ivy Tech Community College, recently completed the 2023-24 school year with 100% of seniors graduating on time, a first in iGrad’s 12-year history.
This spring, all 127 seniors participating in iGrad graduated on time, including 116 from Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) and 11 from Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corporation (FRHSC). The program had averaged about a 96% on-time completion rate in its previous 11 years.
Ivy Tech Community College Columbus Chancellor Dr. Steven Combs said, “Achieving a 100% graduation rate not only speaks to the students’ determination, but also to the dedication, support, and thoughtful guidance, provided by our iGrad and Ivy Tech staff, and our community volunteers.”
iGrad is an Ivy Tech Community College program unique to the College’s Columbus Service Area that is embedded in Bartholomew County middle and high schools to work with students who need additional support, such as coaching, mentoring, and tutoring to achieve high school graduation and college or career readiness.
The program was developed as a community initiative 12 years ago to help address high school graduation rates in the community. It is administered and staffed by Ivy Tech Community College Columbus with three full-time staff members and 14 part-time staff, including 12 graduation coaches and two College and Career Readiness coaches.
iGradgets funding from BCSC, FRHSC, and Ivy Tech for salaries, benefits, and expenses. BCSC receives funding from the Columbus Redevelopment Commission specifically for iGrad.
