Culver Community Schools Corporation

Community Engagement and Student Success

Education in Action: Creating Real-World Pathways

 

As expectations around education continue to shift, school districts are being challenged to move beyond traditional models and create meaningful, flexible pathways for student success. Culver Community Schools Corporation is meeting that challenge head-on, building an approach that blends academic achievement with real-world experience, strong community ties, and individualized opportunity.

At the center of this transformation is a clear philosophy. Education should be rooted in community, aligned with real-world opportunities, and designed to meet every student where they are. Whether students pursue college, enter the workforce, or enlist in the military, Culver ensures they graduate with purpose, confidence, and direction.

Values-Driven Approach to Student Growth

At the core of the Culver Community Schools Corporation is a guiding framework known as CAVS, which stands for community, achievement, value, and success.

“We define ourselves through those four pillars,” says Karen Shuman, Superintendent of Culver Community Schools Corporation. “They guide everything we do from how we recognize students to how we build relationships within our community.”

Shuman explains that these values are not simply words on a page. They are reinforced through intentional programs that shape student experiences. When students go above and beyond to support others, they are recognized as community achievers. Academic growth is celebrated regularly, ensuring that improvement is valued alongside performance.

The concept of value is woven into monthly themes that highlight traits such as kindness, leadership, and collaboration. Students who exemplify these characteristics are recognized within their schools, creating a culture where positive behavior is consistently encouraged. Success, in turn, is amplified across the district through social media and public recognition, ensuring that both students and staff feel seen and appreciated.

Uniting Schools and the Community

Culver’s commitment to community extends well beyond school walls. It is a defining feature of the district and one of its greatest strengths.

Shuman reflects that being part of a small town with a nationally recognized institution like Culver Military Academy creates unique opportunities for collaboration. Rather than operating separately, the two institutions work together to support shared initiatives that benefit the entire community.

One of the most meaningful examples is the Gift of Warmth program. Students from both Culver Community Schools and Culver Military Academy partner with local organizations to assemble care packages for families in need. These packages include meals, toys, and essential items, all delivered by local emergency services.

“It is a full community effort,” Shuman explains. “Our students, the Academy students, and local organizations all come together to support over 220 families.”

This level of collaboration highlights how Culver’s education is deeply intertwined with the broader community.

Learning by Doing

Few programs capture Culver’s hands-on philosophy as clearly as its Building Trades program. For decades, students have been learning construction skills not through simulations, but by building real homes within the community.

“Our current instructor is working on his thirty-fourth home, and the instructor before him built ten,” Shuman notes. “There is actually a waiting list of people who want homes built by our students.”

The program operates as a collaborative effort involving students, Everwise Bank, and a network of local industry partners. From design to completion, students gain practical, real-world experience while working alongside professionals in the field.

Local companies such as Sellers Landscaping contribute to site design and finishing work, while electrical work is often handled by contractors such as Live Oak Electric and Banner Electric. Concrete and foundational work is frequently completed with the support of firms such as Zaner and Richard’s, ensuring that students are exposed to industry standards across every phase of construction.

Shuman emphasizes that while outside professionals may assist with specialized elements when needed, most of the work is completed by students themselves. This hands-on learning model builds technical skills while fostering confidence, accountability, and teamwork.

“It is really about career exploration,” she adds. “Students leave with a clear understanding of what it takes to build something meaningful.”

Supporting the Whole Student

Culver Community Schools Corporation recognizes that academic success is closely tied to well-being. In response, the district has made a concerted effort to expand support services for both students and staff.

Each school is equipped with its own counselor, ensuring that students have access to guidance and support at every level. In addition, partnerships with organizations such as Bowen Health provide access to more specialized services, including teletherapy options for students who may face barriers to traditional care. Support for these initiatives has also been strengthened through funding from Lilly Health, helping ensure that services remain accessible.

“We have created systems where students can get help quickly,” Shuman explains. “They can access telehealth or visit local clinics, and we help remove some of those initial barriers.”

Support extends to educators as well. Teachers have access to wellness resources, including teletherapy options available through mobile applications, ensuring they are equipped to manage the demands of their roles.

Balancing Innovation with Responsibility

Culver’s integration of technology is not a recent development. The district has been using iPads in the classroom for more than a decade, positioning itself as an early adopter of digital learning tools.

“We are in our fourteenth year of using iPads,” Shuman notes. “That really helped us when COVID happened because we were already familiar with the platforms.”

Today, technology is seamlessly embedded into instruction, supporting collaboration, creativity, and personalized learning. Students also have access to specialized programs in areas such as digital design and robotics, delivered through partnerships with neighboring districts to maximize resources.

Looking ahead, the district is exploring adding coursework in artificial intelligence. Shuman adds that while the technology presents exciting opportunities, it also requires thoughtful integration.

“We are teaching students how to use it responsibly,” she explains. “It can make work more efficient, but it should not replace their own voice.”

Bridging Education and Employment

Culver’s Career and Technical Education programs are designed with a clear purpose in mind. They closely align with local workforce needs and equip students with practical, in-demand skills.

Every four years, the district conducts a comprehensive assessment to identify community needs and adjust its offerings accordingly. This ensures that programs remain relevant and responsive to changing economic conditions.

Shuman highlights the strength of several key pathways, including a highly successful dental program where students train in a classroom designed to replicate a real dental office. Many graduates move directly into positions within local practices, while others continue their education in the field.

Automotive and welding programs also play a significant role, offering students the opportunity to earn certifications and enter the workforce with confidence. In some cases, students have gone on to establish their own businesses or secure well-paying positions in the region. Nursing and culinary programs further expand these opportunities, with students able to earn dual credits and gain valuable hands-on experience before graduation.

In addition to technical training, Culver has expanded its academic partnerships. A recent collaboration with Indiana University Kokomo allows students to complete significant college coursework while still in high school, with the potential to graduate with up to 30 credit hours.

“The job placement from our programs is very high,” Shuman notes. “Students are leaving with skills that employers are looking for.”

Multiple Paths, Equal Value

Culver’s approach to post-graduation planning reflects a broader shift in education. Rather than emphasizing a single path, the district encourages students to explore multiple options through the Three E’s: employment, enlistment, and enrollment.

Through initiatives such as Dream Day, students are introduced to all three pathways early in their high school experience. They engage with employers, military representatives, and post-secondary institutions to gain insight into each option.

By the time students reach their senior year, they participate in Success Day, where they formally commit to their chosen path.

“It is like a signing day for every student,” Shuman says. “We celebrate each path equally.”

Funding That Fuels Student Success

Behind Culver’s success is a thoughtful approach to funding and resource allocation. The district prioritizes instructional spending, with most of its education budget dedicated to teacher salaries, benefits, and curriculum.

Operational funds are used to maintain and improve facilities, with recent investments focused on enhancing air quality and upgrading HVAC systems. These improvements were accelerated through pandemic-related funding, but the district continues to build on that progress.

Shuman points out that a 2019 referendum has played a critical role in expanding services. It has allowed the district to add counselors, introduce preschool programs, and improve student-to-staff ratios, all of which contribute to a stronger educational experience.

“These investments help us provide a quality program for every student,” she explains.

Welcoming the Next Generation

As the Culver Community Schools Corporation looks toward the future, its priorities remain closely tied to community growth.

With hundreds of new housing units set to become available, the district sees an opportunity to welcome new families and strengthen its enrollment.

“Our goal is for families to choose Culver first,” Shuman says. “We want them to see this as a place where their children can thrive from the beginning.”

AT A GLANCE

Who: Culver Community Schools Corporation

What: A forward-thinking public school district focused on community engagement, career pathways, and student-centred education.

Where: Culver, Indiana

Website: www.culver.k12.in.us