P-12 partnerships are guided by community engagement strategies and strive to ensure that all Hoosier students and families have opportunities to learn and develop the knowledge and skills that are essential for success in education and careers.
In 2015, 65 percent of Indiana high school graduates went straight to college; by 2020, this number had dropped to 53 percent. To help reverse this trend, Indiana University, through its innovative Kids College program at the Center for Urban and Regional Excellence at IU Northwest, sought to prepare disadvantaged middle school students for careers and higher education.
Now expanded to six IU campuses, Kids College is a free summer camp emphasizing academic exploration and civic engagement. Kids College offers immersive experiences to equip young learners with the tools, experiences, and mentorships needed to envision and pursue a career path and higher education.
Campers interact closely with IU faculty, staff, and current students—many sharing similar backgrounds—which helps them see themselves as future college attendees. Led by licensed educators and local experts, the curriculum covers career exploration, civic responsibility, and college readiness. Students learn about financial aid opportunities like the 21st Century Scholars program and what is required to ensure they are eligible for the four years of undergraduate tuition benefits.
Kids College served 49 campers in 2023, 188 in 2024, and 337 in 2025, demonstrating IU's critical role in regional development and community engagement, and fulfilling our mandate for service and innovation to improve the human condition.The partnership not only contributes to workforce development, but it also encourages students to contribute positively to their communities.
82Columbus campers
39Fort Wayne campers
50Indianapolis Campers
46Kokomo campers
51Northwest campers
41South Bend campers
777IU ACP-certified teachers
21,223Indiana students taking ACP courses
IU’s Advance College Project (ACP) exemplifies our commitment to accessible, high-quality education. Offering IU undergraduate courses to high school students, ACP enables participants to earn college credits before graduation, setting them on a path to academic success and increasing the likelihood of timely degree completion.
With tuition waived for Indiana students, ACP removes financial barriers, making the path to college more attainable for all and reinforcing IU’s mission of providing fair access to educational opportunities.
A key to ACP’s success is its high academic standards for educators. High school instructors collaborate closely with IU faculty liaisons, ensuring rigorous coursework that mirrors university-level expectations. Instructors are required to hold a master’s degree in their subject or complete graduate-level coursework. Teachers pursuing a graduate degree have access to the ACP Dual Credit Pipeline, a state-funded initiative providing tuition assistance. This investment not only enhances instructional quality but also strengthens the program’s long-term sustainability.
