Students attest to New Tech success

When Huntington North High School leaders considered bringing in New Tech High School, enthusiasm shared space with concern. Would the students still be tested? Would they still learn Indiana standards?

But New Tech is well under way in its first year, and one day in a newly-built classroom is enough to alleviate fears.

"The students still have quizzes. Not everything is group work. They are still graded on an individual basis," said high school assistant principal Kelly Renier. She has been involved in making New Tech a reality since the start, when HNHS heard a bird about it while Mr. Cline was still the principal.

Renier became a believer in New Tech. It didn't take long for many others to catch on, like the several HNHS teachers who volunteered to transition from a traditional classroom in order to lead students with a new design.

"The proof is when you talk with the students and see how excited they are about school and how engaged they are," Renier said. "Kids are not able to be disengaged and still be successful. They take more responsibility and more investment in their own education."