The Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) has been a longstanding partner with the Indiana Department of Education in supporting the development of robust dual credit and Early College programming in high schools. Building on the success established through the federally funded Rural Early College Network (RECN), CELL launched the Urban College Acceleration Network (UCAN) – a funded opportunity for urban high schools to develop an accelerated pathway toward endorsement as an Early College High School. CELL provided professional development and operational support to UCAN schools to ensure students have the ability to earn post-secondary credits alongside their high school diplomas through dual credit opportunities.
UCAN Mentor Schools
- Ben Davis University High School, Marion County
- Hobart High School, Lake County
- Muncie Central High School, Delaware County
- Penn High School, St. Joseph County
UCAN Partner Schools
- Anderson High School, Madison County
- Arsenal Tech High School, Marion County
- Concord High School, Elkhart County
- Crispus Attucks High School, Marion County
- Goshen High School, Elkhart County
- Hammond Central High School, Lake County
- Herron High School and Riverside High School, Marion County
- Irvington Preparatory Academy, Marion County
- Morton High School, Lake County
- Terre Haute North Vigo High School, Vigo County
- Terre Haute South Vigo High School, Vigo County
- West Side Leadership Academy, Lake County
Following the model of the impactful RECN project, the UCAN project was a mentorship program comprised of four geographically diverse urban Early College High Schools. These schools were selected to serve as UCAN mentor schools, and additional urban schools from across the state were given the opportunity to apply to serve as partner schools.
This program was supported by $4.1 million in funding through the third round of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund and concluded in the fall of 2024.