| Herron High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| 110 East 16th Street Indianapolis, Indiana, United States |
|
| Information | |
| Type | Public (charter) secondary |
| Established | 2006 |
| Head of school | Janet McNeal |
| Faculty | 34 |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Number of students | 450 |
| Color(s) | black, white, red |
| Mascot | Achaean |
| Website | www.herronhighschool.org |
Herron High School is a public charter school located in downtown Indianapolis, providing a classical liberal arts, college preparatory education. The school's curriculum is structured around an art history timeline and emphasizes the classic art and literature of many cultures. Through an integrated curriculum and classical methodology, Herron High School believes that all students can learn to think logically, express themselves creatively, appreciate aesthetics fully, and approach any subject intelligently.
The concept for Herron High School began in 2003 under the leadership of the Harrison Center for the Arts, which gathered neighborhood residents, non-profits, and businesses to create a unique school designed to grow Indianapolis' creative class and to serve the downtown community. Exploration funds for this endeavor were provided through the University of Indianapolis' Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL).
Herron High School was granted its charter status by Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson. It opened its doors to 100 9th grade students in the fall of 2006.
Herron High School's liberal arts approach to education finds its roots in the Latin word "libertas," meaning "freedom." Free Greek and Roman citizens needed an education that would equip them to be active participants in the Athenian democracy and the Roman republic, and one that would help them realize their full intellectual and human potential. Thus, began the tradition of preparing well-rounded, truly educated citizens.
Herron High School is founded on the belief that a classical liberal arts education, where students are steeped in great historical thought and production, is the very best preparation for future influence. We will emphasize the integration of academic subjects; the teaching of great works of literature through original source documents; formal instruction in Latin, logic, and rhetoric; and appreciation for the great works of visual, musical, and dramatic art. Students will be inspired by the great truths and beauty of our common roots.
Herron High School is partnering with families and the community to provide a classical liberal arts education that integrates knowledge, inspires discipline, and values community service.
Herron High School offers a high quality and comprehensive education for students in grades 9-12. HHS offers parents small classroom environments that allow for more teacher-student, one-on-one, attention. HHS has a culture that, above all, supports rigorous academics. The culture does this through small classes, continual dialogue between teacher and students, regular and planned remediation, teacher advisors, and tutoring. Everything in the school culture serves the goal of consistently high student achievement.
Liberal Arts Content
HHS has rigorous math and science classes, but is noted for its liberal arts program.
Humanities Focus
The usually separated subjects of history, political science, geography, English grammar, composition, literature, art, and music are integrated in this Humanities core and taught systematically along a chronological timeline. Students study the best of classical art and literature, exploring how literature and the arts influenced and were influenced by the world of politics and history.
Latin and Logic
Latin helps students develop a strong English vocabulary and serves as a springboard for the study of other Romance languages and for law, medicine, and science. Formal logic teaches students to study basic facts and then to properly connect and interpret them. The skills learned in these two classes will impact the students' work in all other subjects.
Art and Music
Practical instruction in art and music, integrated with the humanities curriculum, are part of the core curriculum for all students. For example, when students study ancient Greece they might focus on figure and portraiture in art. When they reach the Middle Ages, they will study Gregorian chant in music.
Mathematics and Science
Mathematics (through pre-calculus and calculus) and four years of science (biology, earth/space science, chemistry, and physics) are part of the HHS liberal arts curriculum and will prepare students for college courses in these subjects.
Methodology
HHS is distinguished by its classical methodology. This methodology benefits our diverse population and our desire to develop a community of learners. At HHS, these methodologies include:
Timeline approach to the Humanities and the Arts
The ninth grade class begins their high school career with the study of the earliest civilizations of ancient Egypt and Africa. By the time they graduate, they will have journeyed through ancient Greece and Rome, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Age of Exploration, American History, and modern world history.
An Integrated Curriculum
Along with the timeline approach, integration of the humanities curriculum allows students to discern logical relationships between subjects. This curricular approach will aid all of our students in the assimilation of knowledge; this integration of information can help them make sense of and blend into a whole what may seem like a myriad of "info-bites" that they have been exposed to during their elementary school years. Integrating subjects also aids in supporting remediation, as all subjects become supports for each other.
The Formal Study of Rhetoric
Rhetoric is the study of the principles of effective speech and writing. It involves the use of logic and the rules of argumentation, and developing the mind's ability to use the tools of persuasion. Rhetoric also includes the study of political philosophy, ethics, and traditional psychology. The student of rhetoric learns, for instance, not only the elements of a political speech but also the elements of good character and the reasons for people's actions.
Teacher-Student Dialogue
The in-depth questioning, and the give-and-take of the Socratic method are fundamental to a liberal arts education. The repetition, the continual dialogue among students and teachers, the use of analogies and of generalizations are found in the style of liberal arts educators successfully working with minority populations.
Art as a Tool for Learning
Visual arts studies are a critical element in the understanding of world cultures and the evolution of ideas of truth and beauty. They also enhance other academic pursuits by honing concentration and observation skills and encouraging creativity, innovation, and invention. The visual arts and drama appeal to a broad range of learners.