SPAN: Welcome
Dear Guidance Counselor,
- Do you have students entering their senior year that anticipate completing Indiana’s Core 40 and the academic honors diploma by next January?
- Do you have others who lack the necessary classes to graduate due to illness or other challenges?
- Do you have an academically advanced freshman or sophomore whom you know is going to exhaust what your high school is able to offer in mathematics, foreign languages, or computer technology?
- Do you have students interested in dual credit?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, the SPAN Division is what your student needs. SPAN, the early college entrance program at IUPUI, provides an opportunity for academically and technologically motivated high school students to begin taking actual college courses at IUPUI while continuing to complete their high school diploma.
With more than 25 years, SPAN has served nearly 2,000 high school students.
Our participants have enjoyed 100% success in transferring credits since our program began in 1984.
There are three levels of entry into the SPAN Division: the Running Start Program, the UpperClass Program, and the CyberTEENs Program.
- TheRunning Start Program is designed for freshman and sophomore students; however, it is also open to juniors and seniors who may not have met the program’s academic requirements during their first two years of high school. Running Start has a specific list of college courses in which students will be eligible to enroll.
- The UpperClass Program focuses exclusively on students entering their junior and senior year. Course selection is open to any 100- or 200-level IUPUI course. Higher levels of math and foreign languages are very popular with SPAN students and provide many with the opportunity to continue their preparation for their professional field of choice.
- The CyberTEENs Program provides technologically gifted high school students the opportunity to enroll in a special computer summer camp, high level computer courses, and even work toward a certificate program through the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A STUDENT APPLIES?
When a student visits the SPAN Division office or Web site, they are instructed to complete an application form (available online). Once the form has been completed, they must submit it to you (or the high school principal) for signature and endorsement. Once signed, the application form and an official copy of the high school transcript is mailed to the SPAN Division office where it is reviewed. If accepted, the student is mailed a congratulatory letter outlining his or her next steps toward course selection and enrollment.
Once the registration process has been completed, a confirmation notice is sent to the student detailing how to obtain an ID card, user accounts, books, and parking permit. This requires an “in office” visit that includes a mini student orientation.
At the end of the semester, the student may request that a grade transcript be sent to you. Privacy policies prohibit the SPAN Division office from automatically mailing a grade transcript. If a student is receiving high school credit for a completed college course, they must contact the SPAN Division office and formally request a grade transcript be sent to the high school guidance office or directly to you.
I would enjoy the opportunity to visit your school to sit and to talk with you about early college entrance opportunities for your students. I am also available for presentations to students whom you feel would qualify for and benefit from the program. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or to schedule a visit at 317-274-0382 or via e-mail at jrrussel@iupui.edu.
Thank you very much for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Johnny
J. R. Russell, B.S.W., Ph.D., Th.D.
SPAN Division Director
Early College Entrance Programs
Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis
518 Indiana Ave, Indianapolis Indiana 46202-5164
Phone: 317-274-0382
Fax: 317-274-7988
jrrussel@iupui.edu
http://uc.iupui.edu/span
