Community Leaders Speak Out About Indiantown High School

July 31, 2023 Jon Pine

INDIANTOWN, FL—Faculty, staff and students and their families will join community leaders and other dignitaries on August 2 to unveil and dedicate Indiantown High School (IHS), a new 60,000-square-foot state-of-the-art building at 19000 S.W. Citrus Boulevard. The school opens to students on August 9.

Operated by Indian River State College (IRSC) in partnership with the Martin County School District, IHS is a public charter high school focusing on college preparedness and workforce education. IHS offers traditional high school courses alongside college courses with the goal of producing graduates who can directly pursue career opportunities or higher education upon graduation. The new building features specialized classrooms and career and technical education lab spaces for academies in Medical Science, Emerging Technologies, Mechanical Technology, Construction Technology, and Environmental Technology.

Here is what some community leaders have to say about Indiantown High School:

Harold Jenkins, Vice-Chair of the Martin County Commission

“As a county commissioner and as a business owner, one of the biggest, most consistent concerns I hear from local employers—and experience myself—is the urgency around our need for workforce training and talent development. So, I really gotta hand it to the creators, donors, and supporters of Indiantown High School for coming up with a place that seeks to equip young people with meaningful, marketable, employable skills. While I wish I’d had an option like this when my kids were growing up—heck, I wish I had it when I was growing up—I’m glad it’s here now and I’m proud that it’s in Martin County.”

Ed Ciampi, Chair of the Martin County Commission

“I’ve often said that in Martin County our biggest exports are unfortunately our young people because they too often leave our area for employment opportunities elsewhere. Now, thankfully, our local economy is strong and getting a lot stronger. With the ability to earn college credits and certifications in medical technology, construction, the trades, entrepreneurship and more, future graduates of Indiantown High School will have the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in well-paying, in-demand careers that are much closer to home and don’t necessarily require them to bear the high costs of student debt.”

Joan Goodrich, Executive Director, Business Development Board of Martin County

“As they advance in their schooling, students of Indiantown High School can gain access to an impressive assortment of academies such as Medical Science, Emerging Technology, Mechanical Technology, Construction Technology and Environmental Technology. They can study for and earn certifications in, among others, Medical Assisting, EKG, automotive repairs, electrical, welding, HVAC, agriculture, Social Media Strategy, Adobe Illustrator, and Business Communication. The discipline and determination required for a young person—especially one still in high school—to earn such achievements will certainly impress prospective employers.

Keith Fletcher Keith ‘Fletch’ Fletcher, President and CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County

“We were honored to host the Indiantown High School at our Indiantown Club during its inaugural year and we’re extremely excited to see its doors opening now. This is a tremendous opportunity for Martin County and will put countless young people on a pathway for success in higher education, advanced vocational training, or even directly into the workforce. The classes are ideally sized and optimal for one-on-one instruction. The students can earn college credits and learn skills that are vital to the trades and key professions. As one of the largest youth-services providers in the county, Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County is committed to ensuring opportunities that equip young people to grow, overcome obstacles, and achieve their dreams and we believe Indiantown High School will play an essential role in this effort.”

Scott Fay, CEO/Partner, Rood Landscape, LLC

“It’s really energizing to consider the quality of opportunities that Indiantown High School will avail to young people in our community. They can pursue interesting fields of study, receive college credits, and even earn certifications that will give them credibility in the workforce immediately upon graduation. As CEO and partner in a company with a couple of hundred employees, I’m constantly on the lookout for individuals seeking to gain skills, grow their knowledge, and better utilize their God-given potential. That’s exactly the educational experience Indiantown High School will provide its students and I’d welcome inquiries from its future graduates when they begin their search for a challenging and fulfilling career.”

Tom Whittington, President, Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast

“Never before have I seen such a demand for talent to fill jobs in the marine industry. The opportunity is there for students to learn a trade that may develop into a career. The Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast applauds the visionaries, instructors, and incoming students of Indiantown High School for creating and taking part in an institution that gives young people an opportunity to explore, discover, and hone their marketable talents as early as the 9th grade. This is a perfect time—for our community and our economy—for this school to open and help produce our next generation of inspiring entrepreneurs and workers.”