The Pendleton Community

South Madison Community School Corporation (SMCSC) is located in southern Madison County in Pendleton, Indiana, which has a population of approximately 20,000. Four communities, with a total land area of approximately 112 square miles, comprise South Madison School Corporation: Ingalls (Green Township), Markleville (Adams Township), and Pendleton/Huntsville (Fall Creek Township).

Pendleton, the largest community in the South Madison School Corporation with a population of 3,000, is located 35 miles northeast of Indianapolis (near the I-69 and State Highway 38 interchange). The Pendleton community, nestled along Fall Creek, is known for its historical heritage, arts and crafts shops, and beautiful Falls Park. Pendleton is the center of an expanding and growing community.

The South Madison economy has historically been fueled by the automotive industry, with large GM and Chrysler operations in near by Anderson and Indianapolis. The automobile industry, farming, and service occupations are the basis of South Madison's economy, but both have begun to downsize.

Accessibility to the interstate system and the metropolitan Indianapolis area and the recent expansion along the I-69 corridor north of Indianapolis has created new service industry jobs. In addition, new manufacturing plants and corporate offices recently have been established in the SMCSC, increasing the assessed value of existing homes and spurring new home construction. All of this has created a sustained, moderate growth of the school corporation's student population.

According to the 1990 census, which compiled information for all of the southeastern section of Madison County, the average mean household income is $38,280.00. Married couples head 50.5% of Pendleton households, while 24.4% of Pendleton households are headed by a single parent. Stay home mothers comprise 3.5% of the population.

Local businesses are supportive of the school corporation. They appreciate the high quality education their children receive and participate in numerous advisory committees, parent support teams, and booster clubs.

Central Office Profile

 The assistant superintendent supports the superintendent of schools by managing the primary responsibilities for curriculum, instruction, staff development, and state and federal programs. One administrative assistant assumes responsibilities for cafeteria, transportation, and maintenance. One director of school improvement works with schools on testing and Public Law 221 issues.  One director of technology oversees and supports corporation technology programs. The central office support staff includes a corporation treasurer, an assistant treasurer, an accounts payable clerk, and a secretary/receptionist.

Renovations

The Board of School Trustees recently completed a $25 million additions and renovation project at Pendleton Heights High School. Additions include 18 new classrooms, industrial technology areas, a practice gymnasium, a wrestling room, and a 926-seat state-of-the-art auditorium. All existing areas were completely renovated and expanded to accommodate current and anticipated student needs. With construction now complete, the Board approved adoption of the Trimester Plan to be implemented during the 1999-2000 school year. The Trimester Plan will allow students to take five 70-minute class periods per day, with classes lasting 12 weeks. This will enable students to earn up to 60 credits for graduation.

Educational Programs

The South Madison Community School Corporation has been a leader and innovator in education in the state of Indiana. Identified as a model site for curriculum development in the late 1980's, our schools have continued to refine, revise, and implement programs appropriate and necessary to the continued improvement of student learning. A well-designed, coordinated, and articulated curriculum in kindergarten through grade 12 provides the framework upon which teachers facilitate learning in the classroom. Based upon the Indiana State Proficiencies and Essential Skills Standards, all curricula were revised in the fall of the 1997-98 school year.

In the fall of 1998, a new student assessment was implemented. C.L.A.S.S. Achievement Level Testing is administered to students in grades 3-10 in the fall of each school year and to grades 2-10 in the spring. The tests were locally developed in cooperation with the Northwest Evaluation Association and will provide data by which student achievement will be measured on an equal interval scale on a yearly basis in reading, language usage, and mathematics. Achievement level tests will be scored in-house, thereby assuring the timely return of test scores. In addition to achievement level tests, the school corporation assessment program includes the Essential Skills Checklist in kindergarten and grade one. ISTEP+ is administered to students in grades 3, 6, 8, and 10 in the fall of each school year. Other assessment measures include teacher made tests, quizzes, projects, and reports.