This is a companion piece to Pursuing Balance, Not Perfection written by Celidh, an IU High School 2020 graduate.
This piece is crossposted from Ceilidh’s Writing Place.
It is time to begin thinking about filling out college applications. If you plan to graduate by June of 2026 and currently need twelve or fewer credits to complete your diploma requirements, IUHS considers you to be a senior.
If you are planning to go with a school’s Early Decision/Early Action, you will need to begin the application process sooner than later. To learn more about this please visit this CollegeBoard page.
Most IUHS seniors use the Common Application. This is a great tool for students intending to apply to multiple schools. Learn more about the Common App here.
The IUHS academic advisor who oversees the college application process is Steve Ritter. Please direct questions concerning applications, recommendations, transcripts, etc. to him. If you plan to use the Common App you will be required to give his name and the following email address: ritters@iu.edu.
The last important bit of information IUHS would like to pass on to seniors: Please be sure you are completing your courses in a timely manner. Actions such as requesting course extensions, allowing classes to time out, or not carrying an appropriate course load can all extend your graduation date. Getting to late Spring of 2026 and still needing five or more credits to complete your diploma requirements could create a burdensome situation.
Finally, keep in mind the IUHS staff is here to assist you. Your academic future and success are our top priorities.
IU High School wishes to alert all residents of Tennessee who are considering enrolling in our courses to recently passed legislation that may affect them. Please be aware of the following:
We are happy to continue as a high school course resource for residents of Tennessee, but it is important that you be aware of these new restrictions.
I chose to transfer to Indiana University High School for my third year of high school two years ago after moving from Indianapolis to Houston so that I could keep my position as the newly elected Vice President of Communications for Indiana Business Professionals of America (BPA) by continuing to work toward an Indiana diploma. But even more, I found that IUHS’ asynchronous courses helped me to be flexible with all of my travels for Indiana BPA officer meetings, events, and conferences throughout the year; this gave me the opportunity to create an academic schedule around all of my meetings and events so that I could focus equally on my academics and responsibilities as an officer without either conflicting with each other.
After finishing my one-year term as an officer for Indiana BPA, I choose to continue at IUHS for my fourth and final year of high school. Although I was no longer in any major leadership positions, I still found IUHS’ asynchronous format to be greatly beneficial in giving me the flexibility to search and apply to numerous colleges (which took up a sizeable portion of time)—something that I did not expect to come in handy and now have no idea how I could have done in a traditional school setting. Even more, this format allowed me to work at an accelerated pace during my final year of high school—thus helping me finish my fourth year and graduate a month and a half earlier than I would have in a traditional format.
Throughout my two years at IUHS, I have continuously found their asynchronous format to come to my benefit. Whether it be for extracurriculars, the college application process, or simply being able to finish high school even a little earlier and move on to bigger things, IUHS has allowed me to fit school into my life and make my academic schedule work for me, and thus has given me more opportunity to participate in a leadership role, internship, and to build my resume as I focus on my future.
A total solar eclipse will occur across much of North America on April 8, including in the “home town” of IU High School, Bloomington Indiana. This is a rare, not-to-be-missed opportunity to view the sun in a way you’ve likely never seen before. We urge anyone with the chance to see it to make every effort to do so.
Do not make the mistake of settling for seeing a partial eclipse. You’ll be settling for a crumb instead of the whole cookie!
What to expect before and after the eclipse:
What to expect during the eclipse:
Finally, after the eclipse:
IU High School is excited to announce the availability of two new courses.
Anyone looking for a unique and fun Physical Education course should look at our new Kinetic Play 101 course. Learn to toss, flip, and flop small sand-filled bags! Along the way, you’ll learn how kinetic play supports physical, emotional, intellectual, and social well-being. Check out this video sample!
For the mathematically inclined, we have a new Calculus course: AP Calculus BC, First Semester. The second semester will open soon, but this single semester course covers the same content as all of AP Calculus AB and thus can allow a speedier preparation for the AP Calculus AB exam.
Follow the provided links to learn more about each course and to register.
Enroll now! Kinetic Play 101 | AP Calculus BC, First Semester
The publisher of the online textbook used with our French, Spanish, and Biology courses has recently announced that the books will be discontinued. No access to these textbook will be possible after June 30, 2024.
For this reason, enrollment for these courses has been discontinued and new versions of the courses will be available as soon as possible. In fact, the new version of French I is already open (First and Second Semester). Check the IUHS Course Catalog for all currently available course options.
Information For IUHS Diploma Students Doing the Common Application
What is the Common App?
Common App is a non-profit college access organization that helps students apply to college every year. Common App’s free college application tool is designed to make applying to college faster and easier. With Common App you only need to use one system to apply to multiple colleges and universities. There are two main parts you fill out: a set of common questions and each college’s own specific questions. The best part is you only have to fill out the common questions one time. The Common App is a hub of information that can guide you through each step of the application journey. It’s also a resource that connects you with financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
The following are some key information points for IUHS diploma students:
Any questions you have should be submitted to Mr. Ritter at ritters@iu.edu.
On May 11, 2023, IU High School Online inducted 39 students to our first National Honor Society chapter! These IUHS students reside around the globe – from Bahrain to Bloomington – and exhibit excellence every day in Character, Scholarship, Leadership, and Service (NHS Pillars). (more…)
Did you know Indiana University has an online high school?
IU High School Online, SuccessfulStudent.org’s No. 1 online high school, is a program with open enrollment for courses over the summer months.
There’s multiple reasons to enroll in summer classes such as staying engaged with learning heading into the fall, fulfilling NCAA academic requirements, taking prerequisites for the upcoming academic year, and boosting your GPA!
IUHS’ summer program offers students eight weeks of targeted support while classes still operate under our standard six weeks to six months timeframe to complete the course. Students have the option to complete courses within the eight week timeframe while working on skills to complete courses independently.
Here are a few reasons to enroll in IUHS for the summer session:
Try out IUHS
Thinking about attending IUHS full-time? You can always test it out first with summer classes! Our flexible model of scheduling allows students to ease into coursework at their own pace while building time management skills.
Fun
Have an interest in U.S government? What about French language and culture? Learning is fun and the summer months offer students a relaxed, low pressure environment to keep up with and learn even more about their favorite subjects.
Keep engaged and in routine
It can be difficult for students to stay focused throughout the summer, with some preferring the structure and routine of schoolwork to stay grounded. Summer courses offer that stability while providing students with time and flexibility to complete coursework.
Flexible scheduling
Summer courses at IUHS provide students with the standard six week to six month timeframe to complete their coursework with the added benefit of an eight week period of targeted support to help students complete work independently.
Keep world language skills fresh
Want to make sure to keep up with foreign language skills heading into the next learning level? Taking a summer course helps students retain the knowledge they’ve already gained while giving them a head start for the school year.
Fulfill NCAA requirements
Looking to meet NCAA academic requirements to compete at the collegiate level? Most classes offered at IUHS qualify as NCAA core courses, and we have an advisor on staff to answer any and all NCAA-related questions.
Check off prerequisites
The summer provides ample time to complete prerequisite courses for any high-level courses students are planning to take during the academic year. Use free time over the summer and save a spot on your schedule.
Free up space or graduate early
Students can free up space on their academic year schedules by enrolling in summer courses and fulfilling requirements ahead of the fall. Enough of this will give students an opportunity to graduate early if they so choose.
Improve your GPA
Summer courses offer students the time and flexibility to boost their GPA ahead of the academic year. Students can work at their own pace with targeted support during an eight week period.
For International Women’s Day, we sat down with Indiana University High School principal Dr. Rebecca Itow to talk about her time with IUHS and women who have inspired her.
Q: Obviously you’re IUHS’ principal now, but how did you get your start in education?
Dr. Itow: Apparently, everyone in my life knew that I was going to be a teacher except for me! I have been teaching through choreography, theatre, music, and crafting since I was small, but I fell in love with teaching in the early 2000s. I was teaching 10 minute playwriting and dance at California State University Northridge (CSUN) and in local schools around Los Angeles. I am so grateful to the principal of Emmerson Middle School who encouraged me to earn my teaching license!
Q: What initially brought you to IUHS?
Dr. Itow: In 2012, Senior Assistant Vice Provost Mike Beam called my PhD advisor Dan Hickey to help IUHS innovate its curricular structure to align with revised NCAA approval guidelines and new accreditation standards for online learning. Since my expertise and research focus on how teachers learn in online environments, working with IUHS was a perfect fit. six years later, I had facilitated teacher professional development for, designed courses with, and wrote my dissertation about IUHS. I just had to apply for the principal position!
Q: With International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month front of mind, who are some influential women in your life?
Dr. Itow: I was raised by and grew alongside a village of powerful, strong women who came up against massive hurdles and pushed boundaries and broke ceilings. The most influential of these women is my mother. It is my life goal to grow up one day to be as insightful, as loving, as persistent, as accomplished, as gorgeous, and as empowering of others as she is. My mom used to dress up as influential women in history and visit classrooms to teach us about their accomplishments and inspire us to continue the work. In fact, she was so great at this that Astronaut Sally Ride sent my mom her flight suit! WITH the patches on it! The day that I got to wear that suit and play Sally Ride was joyous (and I still have that suit in my closet)!
Q: Have any students, now alumni, gone on to inspire you with their work after graduating from IUHS?
Dr. Itow: Oh, yes! Our IUHS students – current and former – inspire me every day! Here are just a few:
Ashley’s tenure at IUHS inspires me every day. She used the learning structures at IUHS to make space for her own healing from illness, and shared her story to help others coping with eating disorders know that the path toward wellness might not look the same for everyone.
Maria Amanda came to IUHS in search of a safe place to learn that would nurture her love of the environment and engineering. Her work is directly impacting the environment and our lives!
Bristyle overcame significant challenges to balance school, work, and life while attending IUHS. Working with Bristyle and her mother to support this student in achieving her goal still warms my heart!
Q: How do you hope to impact your students as a female educator and principal?
Dr. Itow: It is my daily work to ensure that the way I move through the world demonstrates for others that – no matter what internal or external challenges you face – you are strong, you are powerful, and you are not alone. The road ahead is long, and full of joys and stresses and challenges and successes. Shine! Shine because when we step into the spotlight rather than away from it, we empower others to do the same. And bonus! you make the world a brighter place to be!