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Rising Sun selected as mentor for Rural Early College Network program

Will mentor three other rural high schools

(RISING SUN, Ind.) –  Rising Sun High School has been selected to mentor three other high schools in an effort to help more students go to college. 


Rising Sun was selected by the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning at the University of Indianapolis to be a mentor school in the Rural Early College Network (RECN). It is part of a $10M grant from the U.S. Department of Education.


This is the second phase of RECN which began back in 2019. 


Rising Sun took part in the initial phase which allowed the school to be one of only sixty statewide to be an endorsed Early College High School. 


“Through networking with other rural schools in RECN of similar size plus connected mentoring from CELL, our Early College program has thrived. Today, 25% of our graduating classes consistently earn an associate degree,” said Rising Sun Principal Noel Bostic.  


Now, as a mentor for RECN 2.0, Rising Sun High School will have the opportunity to support other rural high schools, reducing barriers that keep students from going to college.


The program will help rural high schools in 20 districts provide advanced coursework and build a pipeline of qualified dual credit teachers, improving college-going for underserved students.


Recruitment for RECN 2.0 will be open March 3-28, 2025. Interested schools can reach out to Janet Boyle at boylej@uindy.edu for more information. 


Early College is a nationally recognized model enabling students to earn college credit while in high school. The programs specifically serve underserved students, including first-generation students, and students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch. 


Schools in RECN 1.0 earned the recognition of becoming a CELL-endorsed Early College High School 1.5 years faster than average through intensive mentoring and development. The program also helped schools grow their pipeline of qualified dual credit teachers.

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