SPRING ISSUE SPRING 2021 A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF HIGHLANDS LATIN SCHOOL MOVED TO TEARS The Genesis of HLS Indianapolis By Judie Huston On a January winter morning in 2011, I sat in the back of an Algebra I classroom at Highlands Latin School in Louisville, Kentucky, waiting for the class I was observing to begin. A line of 14- year old boys wearing dress shirts, ties and slacks walked briskly into the room. They took their seats, pulled out their texts, and focused their attention on the teacher as he began the day’s lesson. The young man sitting next to me introduced himself and offered me a book to follow along with the teacher. For the next 50 minutes, I watched the teacher present a well planned lesson to the students. These junior high boys remained engaged with the teacher, listening intently, asking inquisitive questions, working problems diligently and explaining their answers to the teacher. There was a uniform interest in learning present in that classroom. I would even venture to say these boys were enjoying their class. At the time, my own children were near this age and one of my par- enting challenges was finding an environment that would elevate their planned Latin-centered curriculum and the traditional classroom. work ethics and habits, inspire them to learn and present to them a The classrooms maintained an environment that esteemed learn- model of excellence both in the classroom and personal character. ing, calling students toward elevated conduct. A culture of excel- From my seat in the back of the classroom, I was moved to tears by lence was evident throughout the school from the management to what I saw. This math class of junior high boys inspired me with what the classrooms to the playgrounds. could be possible for both academic and character training in an Prior to this January visit to HLS, I had taught Latin in various settings educational setting. using HLS founder Cheryl Lowe’s materials, and I witnessed many of I continued my visit at Highlands that day, going to first grade, fifth the formative benefits of Latin in my students. Latin teaches children grade, Kindergarten, and twelfth grade. Each classroom was the same: how to focus, analyze and think systematically. They learn the impor- different content, different age students, but a common focused, joyful tance of accuracy and attention to detail. Latin presents a consistent learning environment present in each class I observed. The junior high grammar model that teaches English better than English, providing all classroom had not been a coincidence. Something about Highlands the specialized vocabulary of the sciences, law and theology. Students Latin School was different from all other school settings I had wit- who learn how to learn with Latin become better students in all other nessed. At HLS, Louisville there was a distinct focus helping students subjects. I was sold on the benefits, seeing how every child of every develop both their academic ability and character through a carefully learning style and ability was transformed into a better student. ADMINISTRATION Judie Huston—Principal • Cindy Davis—Upper School Director, College Counseling • Vince Cutrona—Dean of High School Sheri Marshall—Lower School Director • Jennifer Wiley—Admissions Director • Susan Wible—Finance Director • Jennifer Lach—Communications Melissa Howard—Office Coordinator • Audra Kauffman—Highlands Journal Editor THE HIGHLANDS JOURNAL indylatinschool.org Latin is not just for the gifted, it is an commitment required were fresh in my education for every child. The culture of mind. Both funding and facility prospects excellence I observed at Highlands that seemed daunting to me. Although I was “Starting and building day magnified the superior results I was familiar with the organizational start up a school is about already witnessing in my own Latin stu- steps, I did not feel qualified to start a dents. A full school program of this same school like Highlands. My own children generational impact, caliber would truly equip parents with a were in junior high and high school at the valuable resource to train their children to time and would probably never benefit for children and new heights. from the school before they graduated. Did families today as well I want to put all of that work into a school A SHARED VISION AMONG PARENTS my children might never attend? as those who will HLS was the education I wanted for my children. I left the school that day with Despite all the practical and realistic benefit in the future.” a compelling sense that if I felt this deep excuses, my heart was challenged as I felt God prodding me toward a calling to begin —Judie Huston, HLS Principal need for my own children, perhaps others did too. A school program centered on this a Latin school in the community. Yes, it particular vision, methodology and mission would be hard work, but an effort worth was not available in Indianapolis. Upon my making. When God calls us to do some- return I began sharing the HLS mission thing, He equips us for the task: our job and model with parents of the 50 Latin is to be faithful. I was also reminded that students I had been teaching and tutoring. starting a school was not just about my own A number of families expressed interest in children. Starting and building a school the idea of a classical, Christian and Latin is about generational impact, for children centered education. My inital thought was, and families today as well as those who will “perhaps I can enlist someone else to start benefit in the future. Each of my objections the school.” was met with an answer and within a few weeks, I assembled a business plan, secured Before our family moved to Indianapolis in a meeting location, and enlisted the sup- 2005, I had started a small two day school port of some like minded individuals to Mrs. Huston, HLS Principal in Illinois. The level of work and long term launch a Latin school in the fall. 2 THE HIGHLANDS JOURNAL SPRING 2021 indylatinschool.org THE HIGHLANDS JOURNAL HLS INDY SCHOOL LAUNCH In the spring of 2011, myself and a start up team of teachers held Mrs. Tharp quizzes Lower School students on their Latin vocabulary. an informational meeting to outline the vision and mission for a Latin-centered classical Christian school. This school was an adapted version of HLS in Louisville, based on their curriculum, pedagogy and administrative model. In the process of the school launch, I had been in contact with individuals from the Louisville school and their school curriculum publishing company, Memo- ria Press, to share our school start materials and business plan. Through the course of our discussions, I learned of their interest in planting a model school elsewhere to show how Highlands Latin School and their results could be reproduced in other com- munities. Providing both development and financial support, HLS Louisville extended to me an invitation to build an Indianapolis campus. We opened our doors in the fall of 2011 with 50 students in 2nd-8th grades. Even as a first year school, the transformative benefits of Latin They were familiar with the HLS school model, and enthusiastic were apparent. Students were forming good academic habits, about the work and need for a school like Highlands in Indianap- exhibiting a motivation and interest in learning, and thriving olis. In 2013, a core nucleus of teachers who shared a strong desire in traditional classrooms. Parents saw the benefits as well. The to contribute their skills and expertise to further our mission were following year we added 70 new students, and a third school day hired. HLS attracts great teachers and retains great teachers. in response to interest. In 2013 we launched a full high school The longevity and commitment of our staff has played a key program to complete the K-12 HLS curriculum sequence. To meet role in the establishment and growth of the school. Ninety per- the enrollment jump for our second year we hired and trained a cent of the founding faculty from the school’s early years continue fleet of new teachers. to teach at HLS contributing both their professional and personal During this year, I was contacted by numerous individuals who resources to the school’s development. To this day, we have never had an array of both professional and educational experience. advertised for teachers. (CONTINUED) HLS continues to grow! Pictured is the entire HLS student body from a recent school year. 3 THE HIGHLANDS JOURNAL indylatinschool.org THE NEED FOR A PERMANENT FACILITY While growing, we developed a high school curriculum sequence and launched a robust Upper School program in 2013. Soon after, we were in need of a permanent facility that could accommodate our student body and provide adequate office space. Over the next few years, an extensive search took place for existing real estate and land prospects on the northside of Indianapolis. In 2017, HLS Indy transitioned from a privately owned school to a non-profit organization as a measure to assist the school in the acquisition of a property and engage local participation in further developing the school and its mission in the community. Through the generosity and assistance of an HLS family, the school was provided an opportunity in 2019 to purchase 30 acres of land in Westfield, Indiana, as a HLS Indy is a witness to this truth provid- contact Rob Wiley, the Building on Excel- future site for a permanent campus. This ing a place for this important transforma- lence Campaign Chair. Gifts to the cam- property is strategically located in a north tive work to occur.