The Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, a private foundation that focuses on the education, health and vitality of Indianapolis, has provided a $1.25 million grant to Purdue Polytechnic High School Indianapolis.
The grant supports hiring new teachers this spring, ahead of the fall start of the 2017-18 school year, allowing them to become engaged in curriculum planning. The grant will also enable hiring key operations and instructional positions that would be necessary for any future expansion.
“Having a workforce equipped with science, technology, engineering and math knowledge is critical to Indianapolis’ economic success, including in the life sciences, yet far too few of our city’s students receive the academic preparation they need for STEM careers,” said Claire Fiddian-Green, president and CEO of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation. “Purdue Polytechnic High School is taking an innovative approach to providing rigorous academic preparation for low-income and minority students, growing Indianapolis’ pipeline of STEM talent, and closing our city’s workforce-skills gap.”