|
Residential Campus White's Jr/Sr High School
 White's offers the most comprehensive educational program of any children's residential facility in the state. White's Junior/Senior High School is fully accredited by the Indiana State Board of Education and is part of the Metropolitan School District of Wabash County and the North Central Association of Colleges.
Each of our teachers stresses accountability for academic performance and personal behavior. With a maximum student-to-teacher ratio of 15:1, strict behavior standards, dress codes, and mandatory study times in cottages, students begin to experience academic success they have never had before. In the process, students learn important study skills that benefit them throughout their lives.
A standard public school curriculum based on the Indiana state standards is provided in school, making it possible for students to stay on track for a high school diploma.
General Education Degree
Many of our older students come to White's several grades behind in school, with little chance of earning high school diplomas. Our General Education Development (G.E.D.) Program helps students to re-establish education as a top priority in life.
Since its inception nearly 20 years ago, White's G.E.D. Program has helped more than 300 students receive their G.E.D. certificates. The program has been an incredible benefit to students, allowing them to salvage their education in spite of past academic difficulties.
The new GED 2000 is an upgraded version of the older test which matches the types of educational demands that states are requiring of high school graduates in graduation tests. The new test presents young people with reading and math questions that are more closely aligned to the types of technical skills that they currently face in the real world.
The upgrade of the test has made the already challenging G.E.D. curricula even more demanding on students. We see this as a very positive thing, as the enhancements have caused colleges and businesses to recognize that students receiving their G.E.D. certificates have accumulated a great deal of knowledge. The certificates are, therefore, powerful tools in the hands of our G.E.D. graduates, helping them to pursue higher education or reach their employment goals upon leaving White's.
 Work Experience Program
Youth living on White's residential campus have a wonderful opportunity to learn valuable work skills and positive work habits through our Work Experience Program. Skills learned through the program include: promptness, work ethic, diligence, and learning to work under the authority of a supervisor.
Campus work areas include:
Grounds keeping
Greenhouse
Auto maintenance
Storeroom distribution
Food services
Craft room services
Retail Sales
The work experience classes are extremely important for our young men and women. Learning how to be valuable members of a team in a work environment is a huge accomplishment for them-one that will pay dividends throughout their lives.
 Summer Education
During the summer months, White's offers a structured summer education program called the WISE (White's Innovative Summer Experience) Program. Developed in 1979, WISE provides students with some very unique learning experiences.
The summer is divided into five, two-week modules during which students can participate in academic, social skills or work training classes. Students attend two classes each day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, and receive 20 hours of instruction in each two-week module. At the end of each module, students are reassigned into different classes. Students can have as many as 10 different learning experiences during the summer.
The WISE Program adds strength and value to the overall educational experience that students receive at White's. The summer school experience permits students to stay engaged intellectually over the long and hot summer months, while giving them the freedom to explore new areas of learning and growth. 
Athletics
White's Junior Senior High School is a member of the Indiana High School Athletic Association and the Mid-Land Athletic Conference. Our students participate in cross-country, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, and track. Both physical and mental challenges await boys and girls choosing to participate in our school athletic program. For many of our students, it is the very first time they have ever participated on an athletic team.
Out of the challenges encountered on the court, mat, track, and course, obstacles are overcome and character has a chance to develop. Athletics provides positive self-esteem, discipline, physical growth, camaraderie, mental toughness, a sense of belonging, and a host of other positives. Being a part of a team helps hold them accountable as the athletes learn to push themselves to achieve both individual and team goals. Participation in sports also promotes the idea of teamwork and doing ones part so as not to let the team down. Much student pride is witnessed just because of the opportunity to be part of a team. The students work hard and become very dedicated to their team and coaches, and their satisfaction is easily evident in their attitudes. Often, this positive work ethic and attitude carries over into other areas of life.
The mission of the athletic program at White's is more about teaching life skills instead of winning or losing. It is a goal of the athletic program that the students transfer these skills to the world of work and that they apply these valuable concepts to their chosen professions. |
