Washington High School
Washington High School is part of Washington Community Schools, located in Washington, Indiana. The school serves approximately 827 students in grades 9 through 12, offering a comprehensive and supportive high school experience. Washington High School is dedicated to preparing students for college, careers, and life through rigorous academics, meaningful relationships, and diverse learning opportunities.
What STEM means at Washington High School
At Washington Community High School, we envision STEM learning as a powerful extension of our commitment to Student P.R.I.D.E., preparing students to thrive with purpose, responsibility, and excellence in a rapidly changing global society. STEM is not an add-on, but a way of thinking and learning that challenges students to apply knowledge, innovate responsibly, and solve meaningful problems with integrity and respect for diverse perspectives.
Our mission-driven approach to STEM provides students with a safe, inclusive environment where curiosity is encouraged and learning is connected to the real world. Through interdisciplinary, technology-rich experiences, students engage in critical thinking, collaboration, and communication while developing the skills necessary for success in college, careers, and civic life. STEM learning at Washington CHS prepares students not only for what comes next, but for the demands of an interconnected and evolving world.
We believe STEM education should reflect who our students are and who they aspire to become. Our teachers and staff intentionally design learning experiences that foster independence, creativity, and perseverance while integrating emerging technologies and global awareness. Students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning, think ethically, and approach challenges with confidence and responsibility.
Washington Community High School values its role as a partner with families, local organizations, and the broader community. Through authentic learning opportunities, community connections, and forward-thinking practices, our STEM direction supports both individual student growth and the long-term vitality of our region. Graduates leave prepared to contribute locally while competing and collaborating globally.
Guided by our vision to become a world-class model of public education, Washington Community High School’s STEM direction ensures that every student is known, supported, and challenged, ready to reach their full potential with pride, purpose, and excellence.
What makes our STEM program stand out
STEM Implementation K-12-to-Career
STEM is a pillar to the WD approach to education and preparing students as functioning members of the community by being exposed to the increasingly technology driven world. Between the three STEM labs, every student is exposed to the career opportunities available with STEM.
STEM Promotion
STEM Day and other events throughout the year expose students on what is to come as
their educational journey in the building continues. Elementary students are exposed to
opportunities at the high school, and high school students are exposed to industry
employers looking for talent or mentorship opportunities.
Diversified Options for all Secondary Ed Students, College and Workforce Bound
WD hosts several different NLPS pathways that allow students to explore their interests in
engineering, digital media, cybersecurity, information technology, business operations, and more. There is not another school of this size offering such a vast array of career exploration
opportunities.
Connecting Classrooms to Careers
At Washington High School, learning extends far beyond the classroom as students prepare for real-world success through specialized career pathways, apprenticeships, and hands-on internship opportunities. WHS is committed to bridging the gap between education and employment by giving students meaningful, authentic experiences that build professional skills, industry knowledge, and career confidence. Through these pathways, students explore high-demand fields, connect with local employers, and gain the hands-on training needed to be truly workforce ready.
A cornerstone of this commitment is WHS’s annual Spring Job Symposium, where juniors and seniors engage directly with local business leaders, industry partners, and community organizations. The symposium provides students with a premier networking platform to explore career options, learn about internships and apprenticeships, and make valuable professional connections. By bringing employers into the school and students into the professional conversation, Washington High School ensures graduates leave not only academically prepared, but equipped with the experience, relationships, and readiness to thrive in today’s workforce.
Engineering the Future Through Real-World STEM
Washington High School offers a premier hands-on STEM experience through its Project Lead The Way (PLTW) pathways in biomedical science, computer science, and engineering. These rigorous, industry-aligned programs immerse students in real-world problem solving, design thinking, and applied technology. One standout project is the annual Christmas Lights Display, where students design, program, and engineer a large-scale lighting installation, blending creativity, coding, electrical engineering, and teamwork into a dynamic showcase of student innovation.
WHS is especially committed to preparing students for the high-tech future by providing unique exposure to the rapidly growing field of microelectronics. Through advanced coursework and applied learning experiences, students develop specialized technical skills used in today’s most cutting-edge industries. By working with professional-grade tools, industry standards, and authentic engineering challenges, students graduate with the knowledge, confidence, and experience needed to excel in advanced manufacturing, computing, and engineering careers.
Engineering Champions: Robotics at WHS
Washington High School’s K–12 robotics program reaches its pinnacle at the high school level through the integration of the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) directly into the curriculum. Students gain hands-on experience in real-world engineering and robotics as they design, build, wire, code, and model competition-ready robots. Along the way, students earn industry-recognized certifications in Build, Wiring, Code, and CAD, with the opportunity to receive a Certificate of Program Completion from Vincennes University, giving them a powerful head start toward college and career success.
Beyond technical skills, the robotics program develops leaders, mentors, and innovators. WHS robotics students support and mentor younger teams across the district, engage in meaningful community service, and build partnerships with local businesses to sustain and grow the program. Through competition, collaboration, and real-world engineering challenges, students develop the confidence, problem-solving mindset, and professional skills needed to thrive in advanced STEM careers.
Our Current STEM Focus
Our mission is to help schools define, grow, and share powerful STEM programs that align with local needs while meeting global standards. Indiana STEM exists to remove the roadblocks to certification and provide schools with a strategic partner committed to lasting, student-centered growth.
