On Thursday, July 11, The Match High School and Career Center (The Match) hosted the
Under Secretary for Infrastructure at the Department of Energy, David Crane, on a
tour of its new campus.
In 2023, Matchbook Learning was selected alongside 23 other organizations for the
U.S. Department of Energy’s Renew America’s Schools Grant. This competitive grant
received over 1,000 applications and totaled over $5.3 million to be used for critical
facility and energy improvement funding.
The Match, authorized by Education One at Trine University, is the first of the grant
recipients to break ground on their building. The Match leadership team, including
Principal James Hill, Dean Johani Johnson, and CTE Director Taundra Miles-Cranor,
provided a tour for Under Secretary Crane with Director of Community Development Clynde
Bodkin and Ameresco’s Sr. Project Developer, Brad Driver. As the first recipient to
break ground, Under Secretary Crane’s visit celebrates how grant funds are directly
impacting Indiana youth. Five future Match students and their families were able to
join the tour.
Future Match student Iris expressed her excitement to make new friends and join in
extra-curricular activities, “I really enjoyed the tour and being able to see the
high school in process…I am really happy that there is a high school near my house
and in west Indianapolis.”
The Match is a continuation of the Matchbook Learning - Westside partnership. Matchbook
Learning leadership emphasized how the school is the answer to the community’s request
for a secondary option for students that provides skills to support employment, post-secondary
enrollment, or enlistment, depending upon the path individual students choose.
Daniela, a future student at The Match, spoke to this excitement of new experiences
and to, “join new groups and learn new skills.”
While the grant money has been used to renovate the buildings into sustainable, energy-efficient
facilities, The Match will utilize this opportunity for students to learn from the
renovations as part of their STEM pathways. Ameresco’s construction focused on key
features, such as newly insulated walls and roof, solar panels, and most importantly,
a living laboratory that will help technical education students see their learning
in use.
“The mechanics of the building were strategically exposed to become a lesson in itself,”
stated Principal Hill.
The building will also serve as a disaster relief center, a community cooling and
heating shelter, a shared substation for the police department, as well as educational
buildings for the community.
The Match aims to achieve "Green Ribbon School" status within two years as part of
its commitment to energy conservation. Adagloria, a future student at The Match, emphasized
how “the tour was fun and wonderful that we get to see what we are going to learn
throughout our high school career.”
The school is dedicated to offering an inclusive, technology-driven education that
ensures every student has a clear path to success. Future Match parent Marisol was
impressed with the building’s construction: “I liked everything. I’m excited to see
my daughter graduate. The school is close to my house. It’s very beautiful.”
The first day of school for students is set for Aug. 1.
To learn more about Education One and The Match High School and Career Center visit:
https://www.trine.edu/education-one/.
