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 percent of seniors in the program 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 Corp. and 11 from Flatrock-Hawcreek School Corp. The program had averaged about a 96 percent on-time completion rate in its previous 11 years.
“We are incredibly proud of all 127 iGrad seniors for their hard work and perseverance to graduate on time,” said Steven Combs, Ivy Tech Community College Columbus chancellor. “Achieving a 100-percent 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 as well as our community volunteers. They are truly making a difference in the lives of these students.”
iGrad 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.
In the 2023-24 academic year, 637 students participated in iGrad, including 584 from BCSC and 53 from FRHC. iGrad uses a team approach to assist students: iGrad Team Leads and Graduation Coaches help students navigate through barriers they may experience as they advance through school; College and Career Readiness Coaches help students prepare for their lives after high school; and community volunteers work with students as mentors or tutors.
“The special thing about the iGrad program is how it focuses on relationship building and individualized planning to help students succeed,” Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corp. Superintendent Shawn Price said. “We are so fortunate to have such a caring and hardworking group of IGrad coaches supporting our students. Not only are more students graduating on time, but many are looking beyond high school due in part to the network and connections made through the IGrad program.”
iGrad 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. iGrad receives funding from BCSC, FRHC, and Ivy Tech for salaries, benefits, and expenses related to the operation of the program. BCSC receives funding from the Columbus Redevelopment Commission specifically for iGrad.
“By connecting students with the support and resources they need, we open up the path to success for them, helping them think about their next steps and prepare for the future” iGrad Program Director Jennifer Steadman Ryan said. “We are sincerely grateful to all the staff and especially our community partners to have helped these students plan and reach their goals. Community involvement plays such an important role in the success of iGrad and its students.”
