The La Porte Community School Corporation (LPCSC) is implementing significant changes to revitalize the district, entering the first phase of new developments to decommission Lincoln Elementary and relocate students and staff, repurpose Lincoln as an early childhood center, and transform the Boston building into a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center.
LPCSC is committed to addressing the school community's challenges, including declining enrollment and revenue loss. The district's former "wait and see" approach has failed to reverse these trends, with recent data indicating a sharper decline through 2031. LPCSC (with board approval from November 18) is proactively implementing strategic changes to enhance educational offerings and strengthen community engagement for the 2025-2026 academic year.
LPCSC aims to energize its new CTE Center in alignment with the Indiana Department of Education's initiative to redefine high school. This transformation will allow students in their junior and senior years to pursue experiences that match their career goals, whether entering the workforce or continuing their education. The CTE Center will offer programs that grant credentials and certifications aligned with local employment needs and developed in collaboration with businesses and industries. This partnership will prepare students for careers in La Porte while providing field experiences to build familiarity and networking connections.
“Our vision for our CTE Center is to provide our students with a space to pursue their interests while also providing them with exposure, experience and access to credentials or certifications that will set them up for success,” said LPCSC Superintendent Sandra Wood.
Additionally, LPCSC plans to work with higher education partners to enable college-bound students to begin preliminary studies during their final years of high school, enhancing their readiness for future success.
“We want to develop programs that provide career preparation for students but also set them up for success right here in the city of La Porte,” said Wood.
For LPCSC’s early education development, the district plans to transition from eight to seven elementary schools. Initially, Kingsford Heights Elementary had considerations for closure due to declining enrollment and underuse. The focus now shifts to decommissioning Lincoln Elementary to create a centralized preschool. This new facility will offer parents convenient access to a half-day program and daycare services, enhancing support for families and expanding educational opportunities for children as young as three. LPCSC believes that early education involvement will improve long-term academic performance and encourage families to remain within the school system.
The realignment relocates preschoolers from Little Learners Preschool, currently located in the Boston building, to enhance their safety from heavy CTE activities and free up valuable ground-floor space for CTE. The new CTE Center at Boston will focus on pathway classes, starting with a welding program and plans for additional offerings.
With the preschool move, LPCSC aims to develop the CTE Center into a comprehensive facility for high school students and the community, providing educational and employment opportunities linked to local workforce partners.
This strategic decision is projected to save the district around $700,000 annually—a conservative estimate could exceed this figure when considering all associated costs. The district can maintain more sustainable class sizes by avoiding the need to hire additional teachers next year. The transition will require Lincoln teachers and support staff to relocate, but no jobs are expected to be lost. Students will transition to three nearby schools—Hailmann, Riley or Handley—without the need for additional bus routes.
LPCSC is committed to creating a thriving CTE Center and robust early childhood program to ensure the La Porte community and its young learners are supported and prepared for future success.
For more information about the La Porte County School Corporation and a FAQ document discussing district changes, visit lpcsc.k12.in.us.