Superintendent's Blog

All three GEO Prep schools in Baton Rouge and Baker beat the state and their local districts...and by a large margin. That's the easy part of data analysis. But let's look at the data in greater detail to understand what's really going on.

While it has taken some time, I think we have finally convinced all GEO Academies students--including those in Indianapolis and Baton Rouge--to earn more than a high school diploma. And, they are doing this BEFORE graduating from our high schools.

The picture of Mrs. Janet Plant, a 68-year-old graduate from GEO's Gary Middle College, needs no captions. She was elated to finally earn her high school diploma. That picture made the front page of the Gary Post Tribune. We celebrated Janet's accomplishment last week with 96 other graduates from GMC, our largest graduating class from our school that serves students needing a non-traditional schedule and approach.

As if this week wasn't crazy enough with four high school graduations (312 graduates) and another (our third) college graduation to attend, now we have the honor of having one of our parents being invited to Washington, DC to testify in front of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee this week.

It's been a wild three weeks running from Gary, Indiana to Baton Rouge, Louisiana and back to Indianapolis to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our Class of 2026. More than 80% of our graduates this year have earned more than a high school diploma including 32 associate degrees and 150 career certifications out of a class of 220 students. While that is a lot to smile about, my smile got bigger at each event when I was approached by older and younger siblings of my current students who told me what they have done with their lives and/or what they plan to do.

GEO Next Generation High School of Baton Rouge celebrated 27 students to earn a full associate degree before graduating from our high school last night with Baton Rouge Community College Chancellor Dr. Willie E. Smith speaking.

We celebrated not only 20 years of service in Gary, but the historic achievements of the Class of 2026. Not only do we have a 93% graduation rate, we have 80% of our students earning a post-secondary credential of value including career certifications, one year of college and a two-year associate degree.

GEO's 21st Century Academy of Gary, Indiana, Celebrates 20 Years of Service and Class of 2026, 93% Expected Graduation Rate, 80% Earned More Than a High School Diploma

How do we do it? We listen to our customers--our students. At our schools, student choices continue after they make us their choice. How so?