As we look toward graduation, Frankfort High School has exciting things in the works for students’ post-secondary success. FHS is preparing for a significant shift in graduation pathways as Indiana rolls out a new diploma model beginning with the Class of 2029. The revised diploma aims to increase flexibility and better align with students’ future goals — whether those include college, employment, or military service. “The major differences are the flexibility,” explained Jerra Klassen, Counselor in the FHS Student Services Department. “Students will be able to earn Seals, and the honors diplomas will no longer be available. All students will be going after one Indiana Diploma.” These diploma seals — focused on Enrollment, Enlistment, and Employment — allow students to personalize their high school experience and demonstrate readiness for a range of postsecondary paths.
Alongside the new diploma structure, FHS is also expanding access to the Indiana College Core (ICC), a 30-credit block of general courses that can be completed in high school and transferred to any Indiana public college. Students who complete the ICC will enter college as sophomores, saving both time and tuition. “The benefits for completing the ICC are numerous,” Klassen said. “This is a huge cost savings to our families, and it allows them to be better prepared once they enter their college choices.” With more students and families showing interest, the program is already making a positive impact. “We have many current sophomore and junior students ready to take on earning the ICC,” Klassen noted.
Looking ahead, FHS is continuing to broaden its academic offerings to ensure students are equipped for success beyond high school. Plans are in the works to offer a full associate degree program on campus, taught by FHS teachers, as well as flexible PE credit options that open room in students’ schedules for more electives. Through partnerships with the ICC and Wildcat Creek Career Cooperative (WCCC), students can explore over 25 career pathways to prepare for their next steps. Klassen put it best: “We are building a community at FHS that allows students to explore their goals and the opportunities to achieve them.”
