Moved to Tears: The Genesis of HLS Indianapolis

By Judie Huston

 On a January winter morning in 2011, I sat in the back of an Algebra I classroom at Highlands Latin School in Louisville, Kentucky, waiting for the class I was observing to begin. A line of 14-year-old boys wearing dress shirts, ties and slacks walked briskly into the room. They took their seats, pulled out their texts, and focused their attention on the teacher as he began the day’s lesson. The young man sitting next to me introduced himself and offered me a book to follow along with the teacher. For the next 50 minutes, I watched the teacher present a well-planned lesson to the students. These junior high boys remained engaged with the teacher, listening intently, asking inquisitive questions, working problems diligently and explaining their answers to the teacher. There was a uniform interest in learning present in that classroom. I would even venture to say these boys were enjoying their class. At the time, my own children were near this age and one of my parenting challenges was finding an environment that would elevate their work ethics and habits, inspire them to learn and present to them a model of excellence both in the classroom and personal character. From my seat in the back of the classroom, I was moved to tears by what I saw. This math class of junior high boys inspired me with what could be possible for both academic and character training in an educational setting. I continued my visit at Highlands that day, going to first grade, fifth grade, Kindergarten, and twelfth grade. Each classroom was the same: different content, different age students, but a common focused, joyful learning environment present in each class I observed. The junior high classroom had not been a coincidence. Something about Highlands Latin School was different from all other school settings I had witnessed. At HLS, Louisville there was a distinct focus helping students develop both their academic ability and character through a carefully planned Latin-centered curriculum and the traditional classroom. The classrooms maintained an environment that esteemed learning, calling students toward elevated conduct. A culture of excellence was evident throughout the school from the management to the classrooms to the playgrounds. Prior to this January visit to HLS, I had taught Latin in various settings using HLS founder Cheryl Lowe’s materials, and I witnessed many of the formative benefits of Latin in my students. Latin teaches children how to focus, analyze and think systematically. They learn the importance of accuracy and attention to detail. Latin presents a consistent grammar model that teaches English better than English, providing all the specialized vocabulary of the sciences, law, and theology. Students who learn how to learn with Latin become better students in all other subjects. I was sold on the benefits, seeing how every child of every learning style and ability was transformed into a better student.

Latin is not just for the gifted, it is an education for every child. The culture of excellence I observed at Highlands that day magnified the superior results I was already witnessing in my own Latin students. A full school program of this same caliber would truly equip parents with a valuable resource to train their children to new heights. A SHARED VISION AMONG PARENTS HLS was the education I wanted for my children. I left the school that day with a compelling sense that if I felt this deep need for my own children, perhaps others did too. A school program centered on this particular vision, methodology and mission was not available in Indianapolis. Upon my return I began sharing the HLS mission and model with parents of the 50 Latin students I had been teaching and tutoring. A number of families expressed interest in the idea of a classical, Christian and Latin centered education. My initial thought was, “perhaps I can enlist someone else to start the school.” Before our family moved to Indianapolis in 2005, I had started a small two-day school in Illinois. The level of work and long-term commitment required were fresh in my mind. Both funding and facility prospects seemed daunting to me. Although I was familiar with the organizational start up steps, I did not feel qualified to start a school like Highlands. My own children were in junior high and high school at the time and would probably never benefit from the school before they graduated. Did I want to put all that work into a school my children might never attend? Despite all the practical and realistic excuses, my heart was challenged as I felt God prodding me toward a calling to begin a Latin school in the community. Yes, it would be hard work, but an effort worth making. When God calls us to do something, He equips us for the task: our job is to be faithful. I was also reminded that starting a school was not just about my own children. Starting and building a school is about generational impact, for children and families today as well as those who will benefit in the future. Each of my objections was met with an answer and within a few weeks, I assembled a business plan, secured a meeting location, and enlisted the support of some like-minded individuals to launch a Latin school in the fall.

HLS INDY SCHOOL LAUNCH In the spring of 2011, myself, and a startup team of teachers held an informational meeting to outline the vision and mission for a Latin-centered classical Christian school. This school was an adapted version of HLS in Louisville, based on their curriculum, pedagogy, and administrative model. In the process of the school launch, I had been in contact with individuals from the Louisville school and their school curriculum publishing company, Memoria Press, to share our school start materials and business plan. Through the course of our discussions, I learned of their interest in planting a model school elsewhere to show how Highlands Latin School and their results could be reproduced in other communities. Providing both development and financial support, HLS Louisville extended to me an invitation to build an Indianapolis campus. We opened our doors in the fall of 2011 with 50 students in 2nd-8th grades. Even as a first-year school, the transformative benefits of Latin were apparent. Students were forming good academic habits, exhibiting a motivation and interest in learning, and thriving in traditional classrooms. Parents saw the benefits as well. The following year we added 70 new students, and a third school day in response to interest. In 2013 we launched a full high school program to complete the K-12 HLS curriculum sequence. To meet the enrollment, jump for our second year we hired and trained a fleet of new teachers. During this year, I was contacted by numerous individuals who had an array of both professional and educational experience. They were familiar with the HLS school model, and enthusiastic about the work and need for a school like Highlands in Indianapolis. In 2013, a core nucleus of teachers who shared a strong desire to contribute their skills and expertise to further our mission were hired. HLS attracts great teachers and retains great teachers. The longevity and commitment of our staff has played a key role in the establishment and growth of the school. Ninety percent of the founding faculty from the school’s early years continue to teach at HLS contributing both their professional and personal resources to the school’s development. To this day, we have never advertised for teachers.

THE NEED FOR A PERMANENT FACILITY

While growing, we developed a high school curriculum sequence and launched a robust Upper School program in 2013. Soon after, we needed a permanent facility that could accommodate our student body and provide adequate office space. Over the next few years, an extensive search took place for existing real estate and land prospects on the northside of Indianapolis. In 2017, HLS Indy transitioned from a privately owned school to a non-profit organization as a measure to assist the school in the acquisition of a property and engage local participation in further developing the school and its mission in the community. Through the generosity and assistance of an HLS family, the school was provided an opportunity in 2019 to purchase 30 acres of land in Westfield, Indiana, as a future site for a permanent campus. This property is strategically located in a north Indianapolis suburb and is accessible to families throughout the area. With 8 acres of woods, ten acres for fields and ten for classroom buildings, the school is poised to reach many more students and families in the future. OUTREACH AND IMPACT People who have heard about the curriculum and culture at Highlands Latin School, come to visit the school on a regular basis. On a number of occasions, I have walked the halls with a parent who is observing classes much like I did at HLS Louisville on that January morning in 2011. As they experience the peace and joyful interest of students engaged in learning, the enthusiastic instruction in the classroom, and caring demeanor of our teachers, I sometimes encounter a parent with a tear in their eye. Just as I was on that winter morning, they are moved to tears by what is possible when excellence in academics and character are presented to children each day. Highlands Latin School is the place where that very opportunity is present. HLS exists to help children grow in knowledge, wisdom and love of the Lord and to develop their gifts and abilities for the glory of Christ and His church. God loves our children, and He loves parents. HLS Indy is a witness to this truth providing a place for this important transformative work to occur. Ten years ago, I stepped out on a limb not knowing where my small efforts teaching Latin would lead. God had a plan for this school, in this time and in this place. Myself and scores of other individuals have all been a part of this orchestration, and I can say without a doubt that this was not of our own efforts but a work of God for His own glory. Looking back on the school’s history, I am ever mindful of His blessing and provision in the planting, growing and sustaining HLS Indy in this community. The school is a growing tapestry of individuals contributing their time, resources, gifts and abilities on behalf of the school. They are living examples of the school’s mission in action. PARTICIPATING IN THE MISSION The “Building on Excellence” campaign is an opportunity for others to participate in the ongoing vision and mission of HLS Indy, inspiring parents with what is possible for their child in a Latin-centered classical Christian education. As HLS Indy moves into its second decade of impact, we invite you to join this tapestry of individuals who are sharing their time, skills and resources to further the school’s educational mission. To learn more about the many ways you can engage in partnership with the school, contact Rob Wiley, (rob.wiley@gmail.com) the Building on Excellence Campaign Chair. Gifts to the campaign will play a direct role in the school’s mission by providing a space for training the hearts and minds of children for the next generation.

Celebrating 10 years! 2011-2021