Education: Public School Systems
Dearborn County has a variety of public and private schools. There are 21 schools within the county borders: 17 public and 4 private. The public schools are divided into three school districts: Lawrenceburg Public Schools, South Dearborn Public Schools, and Sunman-Dearborn Public Schools. Each of these districts is accredited by the State of Indiana and is funded primarily through property taxes and state funds.
| Dearborn County Public School Statistics* (2003-2004) | ||
| Indicator | Dearborn Results | State Results |
| Student Enrollment (Head Count) | 8,747 | 1,020,457 |
| Total Expenditure per Pupil (Three-Year Average) | $8,629 | $9,100 |
| Percent of Students in Special Education | 18.9 | 17.5 |
| Percent of Students in Gifted and Talented Education | 15.8 | 9.0 |
| Percent of Instruction Delivered Through Vocational Education | 3.3 | 3.8 |
| Percent Passing both English and Math ISTEP | 67.3 | 62.9 |
The county has programs to meet the educational needs of a variety of students, and each of the public school districts offers these programs. These program offerings seek to meet the needs of the gifted and talented, the mentally handicapped, the physically disabled, and the learning disabled.
Career Clusters and Career Pathways:
The state of Indiana places great emphasis on helping its students understand their post-graduation options. One of the avenues students may use to explore these options is career clusters. The Indiana Department of Education has identified 14 career clusters for Indiana students. These clusters are a broad set of related occupations used to organize career information, instruction, and student opportunities.
The state of Indiana places great emphasis on helping its students understand their post-graduation options. One of the avenues students may use to explore these options is career clusters. The Indiana Department of Education has identified 14 career clusters for Indiana students. These clusters are a broad set of related occupations used to organize career information, instruction, and student opportunities.
- Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources
- Arts, A/V Technology & Communications
- Building & Construction
- Business, Management & Finance
- Education & Training
- Health Services
- Law, Public Safety & Security
- Manufacturing & Processing
- Marketing, Sales & Promotion
- Mechanical Repairs & Precision Crafts
- Personal & Commercial Services
- Science, Engineering & Information Technology
- Social & Recreation Services
- Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics
Within each cluster is a set of occupations, and for each occupation, a career pathway. The career pathway provides a recommended curriculum for students interested in a particular occupation; courses include both traditional school classes and technical courses.
High School Diploma Options:
Each of the high schools in the county offers three diploma options for students: a general diploma, a Core 40 diploma, and an Academic Honors Diploma. The general diploma outlines the minimum requirements a student must fulfill. The Core 40 curriculum is comprised of courses recommended by the State of Indiana. Students looking for a challenging curriculum may pursue an Academic Honors Diploma, which was established as part of Indiana's education plan for academic excellence. Graduates must complete the course requirements for one of these diplomas, in addition to meeting the minimum proficiency standards on the Indiana Graduation Qualifying Exam (ISTEP +). Beginning with the 2005-2006 freshman class, all graduating seniors will be required to meet the Core 40 diploma requirements.
Each of the high schools in the county offers three diploma options for students: a general diploma, a Core 40 diploma, and an Academic Honors Diploma. The general diploma outlines the minimum requirements a student must fulfill. The Core 40 curriculum is comprised of courses recommended by the State of Indiana. Students looking for a challenging curriculum may pursue an Academic Honors Diploma, which was established as part of Indiana's education plan for academic excellence. Graduates must complete the course requirements for one of these diplomas, in addition to meeting the minimum proficiency standards on the Indiana Graduation Qualifying Exam (ISTEP +). Beginning with the 2005-2006 freshman class, all graduating seniors will be required to meet the Core 40 diploma requirements.
Private Education:
In addition to public education, the county provides private education for students of preschool age through grade 8. Private education is offered at four institutions: St. Lawrence Elementary School, St. John Evangelical Lutheran School, St. Mary Elementary School, and St. Paul School. All of these schools have a religious affiliation and three are accredited by the State.
In addition to public education, the county provides private education for students of preschool age through grade 8. Private education is offered at four institutions: St. Lawrence Elementary School, St. John Evangelical Lutheran School, St. Mary Elementary School, and St. Paul School. All of these schools have a religious affiliation and three are accredited by the State.
| Private Schools with State Accreditations | |||
| St. Lawrence Elementary School | St. Mary Elementary School | St. Paul School | |
| Religious Affiliation | Catholic | Catholic | Catholic |
| Grades Served | K-8 | K-8 | Preschool-6 |
| Enrollment (Head Count) | 253 | 140 | 49 |
| Students per Teacher (FTE) | 16.9 | 18.2 | 9.8 |
*County estimates were calculated by the Applied Economics Research Institute of the University of Cincinnati.
The Lawrenceburg school district contains four schools: Lawrenceburg Primary School, Central Elementary School, Greendale Middle School, and Lawrenceburg High School. New construction and renovations have been made to accommodate a growing population. In 2003 the district made renovations to both Central Elementary and Greendale Middle Schools. The primary school is the newest addition to the system; construction was completed November of 2003.
| Lawrenceburg School District Statistics (2003-2004) | ||
| Indicator | District Results | State Results |
| Student Enrollment (Head Count) | 1,473 | 1,020,457 |
| Total Expenditure per Pupil (Three-Year Average) | $10,200 | $9,100 |
| Teacher Salary Range, Minimum | $32,292 | $26,352 |
| Teacher Salary Range, Maximum | $56,056 | $69,398 |
| Percent of Students in Special Education | 16.0 | 17.5 |
| Percent of Students in Gifted and Talented Education | 11.0 | 9.0 |
| Percent of Instruction Delivered Through Vocational Education | 2.9 | 3.8 |
| Percent Passing both English and Math ISTEP | 62.6 | 62.9 |
| Individual School Statistics (2004-2005) | |||
| Grades Served | Student Enrollment (Head Count) | Students per Teacher (FTE) | |
| Lawrenceburg Primary School | Preschool-2 | 381 | 16.9 |
| Central Elementary | 3-5 | 323 | 16.1 |
| Greendale Middle School | 6-8 | 346 | 14.0 |
| Lawrenceburg High School | 9-12 | 465 | 16.7 |
Lawrenceburg High School
| Lawrenceburg High School | 2003-2004 School Year |
| Graduation Rate | 84.9% |
| Average SAT Score | 1003 |
| Average ACT Score | 21.3 |
| Percent of High School Seniors Attending College | 82% |
The high school offers a variety of programs to meet the varied needs of their students. The curriculum includes honors classes, technical/vocational classes, and special education classes. School features provide support for academic and extracurricular pursuits. These features include science labs, an Olympic-size swimming pool, two gymnasiums, auditorium, band and choral suites, and a library/media center.
AP Classes Offered:
- Spanish
- Composition
- Calculus
- Biology
- Chemistry
- United States Government and Politics
Unique Programs
Lawrenceburg High School places great importance on helping their students develop a sense of direction and post-graduation goals by offering real world opportunities. Programs such as the cadet teaching experience, internships, and college goal Sunday are examples of the kinds of experiences available to students to assist them in developing post-graduation plans.
Lawrenceburg High School places great importance on helping their students develop a sense of direction and post-graduation goals by offering real world opportunities. Programs such as the cadet teaching experience, internships, and college goal Sunday are examples of the kinds of experiences available to students to assist them in developing post-graduation plans.
- Cadet Teaching Experience: This elective is available to seniors only and provides an introduction to teaching grades kindergarten through eighth grade. Coursework for this class is structured to provide an understanding of (1) classroom organization, (2) classroom management, (3) the curriculum and instructional process, (4) observations of teaching, and (5) instructional experiences.
- Internships: This opportunity is available to seniors by application only and presents students with a course designed to help them learn about various occupations and careers. One goal is for students to understand the preparation or training needed for various occupations and careers. Internships and mock interviews help students observe various job scenarios.
- College Goal Sunday: This program helps college-bound students, who qualify for admission to a college or technical school, apply for financial aid. On a specified Sunday in February, students may come with their families to receive assistance from financial aid experts in filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In 2005, Lawrenceburg was one of 34 locations in 29 Indiana communities to host this event.
The South Dearborn public school district is comprised of five schools. In order to accommodate a growing student body and to provide their students with modern facilities, the district is making renovations to existing buildings and constructing new buildings. A new middle school is currently under construction, and several renovations are being made to the high school during the 2005-2006 school year. The high school will soon feature new science classrooms and labs, a new media center, a new weight room, new tennis courts, a larger wrestling room, and a new parking lot.
| South Dearborn School District Statistics (2003-2004) | ||
| Indicator | District Results | State Results |
| Student Enrollment (Head Count) | 3,030 | 1,020,457 |
| Total Expenditure per Pupil (Three-Year Average) | $8,300 | $9,100 |
| Teacher Salary Range, Minimum | $30,936 | $26,352 |
| Teacher Salary Range, Maximum | $56,272 | $69,398 |
| Percent of Students in Special Education | 21.1 | 17.5 |
| Percent of Students in Gifted and Talented Education | 11.0 | 9.0 |
| Percent of Instruction Delivered Through Vocational Education | 3.6 | 3.8 |
| Percent Passing both English and Math ISTEP | 66.3 | 62.9 |
| Individual School Statistics (2004-2005) | |||
| Grades Served | Student Enrollment (Head Count) | Students per Teacher (FTE) | |
| Aurora Elementary | Preschool-3 | 380 | 15.2 |
| Dillsboro Elementary | K-6 | 288 | 16.0 |
| Manchester Elementary | K-6 | 243 | 13.2 |
| Moores Hill Elementary | K-6 | 330 | 17.4 |
| South Dearborn Middle School | 4-8 | 777 | 16.3 |
| South Dearborn High School | 9-12 | 1,028 | 19.8 |
South Dearborn High School
| South Dearborn High School | 2003-2004 School Year |
| Graduation Rate | 85.8% |
| Average SAT Score | 1008 |
| Average ACT Score | 20.5 |
| Percent of High School Seniors Attending College | 71.0% |
The high school staff is committed to providing a positive educational experience for all students. In addition to a varied curriculum, there are a number of advisory programs in place to ensure the needs of each student are met. Additionally, a number of student activities are available to provide additional means for students to develop leadership skills and a sense of civic responsibility.
Advisory Programs:
- S.T.A.R.S Peer-Mentor Program: This program, Students Teaching and Reaching Students (S.T.A.R.S), is designed to help students transition from middle school to high school and pairs each freshman with a junior or senior for the entire school year.
- Homeroom Advisory Program: The program assigns a homeroom teacher to a group of 20 students from a common grade level. This group will stay together for the students' four years in high school. The goal is to connect students with high school staff and other students to provide a support system throughout their school career.
- Planned Action for Student Success (PASS): The purpose of the program is to ensure all students are given every opportunity to pass all of their school subjects. PASS is made up of three components: the Academic Assistance Opportunity, the C.H.A.M.P Adopt a Student Program, and the Student Care Plan (SCP).
Student Activities:
- National Honor Society
- FCCLA (Family, Community, Career, Leaders of America)
- Show Choir
- Science Club
- Academic Team
- Yearbook
- Jazz Band
- Student Government
- History Club
- Strength Program
The Sunman Dearborn School District is comprised of six schools and has the largest enrollment of the three districts. The district's $42 million dollar renovation of East Central High School reflects the growing population of the county. Upon completion of the high school's renovation, the building will feature: a 1500 person auditorium, three new computer labs, a new cafeteria and food service area, a vocational agriculture wing, an industrial technology wing, a new media center, a new music suite, new family and consumer science labs, and a community activity center complete with track and basketball courts.
| Sunman Dearborn School District Statistics (2003-2004) | ||
| Indicator | District Results | State Results |
| Student Enrollment (Head Count) | 4,244 | 1,020,457 |
| Total Expenditure per Pupil (Three-Year Average) | $8,300 | $9,100 |
| Percent of Students in Special Education | 18.3 | 17.5 |
| Percent of Students in Gifted and Talented Education | 21.0 | 9.0 |
| Percent of Instruction Delivered Through Vocational Education | 3.2 | 3.8 |
| Percent Passing both English and Math ISTEP | 69.8 | 62.9 |
| Individual School Statistics (2004-2005) | |||
| Grades Served | Student Enrollment (Head Count) | Students per Teacher (FTE) | |
| Bright Elementary | K-4 | 545 | 20.3 |
| North-Dearborn Elementary | K-4 | 606 | 20.0 |
| Sunman Elementary | K-4 | 437 | 17.3 |
| South Dearborn Intermediate School | 5-6 | 702 | 21.8 |
| South Dearborn Middle School | 7-8 | 670 | 20.2 |
| East Central High School | 9-12 | 1.358 | 19.6 |
| Ripley- Ohio-Dearborn | Special Education | 19.6 | 10.4 |
East Central High School
| East Central High School | 2003-2004 School Year |
| Graduation Rate | 90.5% |
| Average SAT Score | 1004 |
| Average ACT Score | 21.5 |
| Percent of High School Seniors Attending College | 73% |
The mission of the high school is to provide individualized attention for every student. Their goal is to ensure every child's needs are met and their goals encouraged. The renovation of the high school is a reflection of this mission as it strives to fulfill the variety of interests represented in the student body. The high school also encourages education both inside and outside the classroom through rigorous course offerings and numerous extracurricular activities.
East Central High School is the only high school in the county with a tradition of national merit scholarship nominees. In the 2003-2004 school year the school had eight national merit commended students and three national merit finalists. In the 2004-2005 school year the school boasted five commended students and a national merit recipient.
AP Classes Offered:
- English Literature and Composition
- Statistics
- Calculus
- US History
- US Government & Politics
- European History
Student Activities
- Student Council: This is one of the key venues in which students can contribute their ideas and express their opinions about high school activities and issues. A vast majority of the student body participates in this popular group.
- Senior Scholarship Committee: Members of this committee are dedicated to providing financial assistance for themselves and their classmates. The group raises money for graduating seniors through a variety of events such as pizza sales and raffles, the planning of which is the responsibility of the students. Each year, recipients of the fundraising efforts are selected from a pool of applicants.
- Students Supporting Other Students (S.O.S Program): This program is a mentorship opportunity for qualified juniors and seniors. Students apply at the end of their sophomore year and are then trained by middle school and high school counselors in preparation for the position.
