Batesville High School has been designated for the new Ford Learning Center through the Bulldog Ready Initiative. The BRI represents a bold vision for the future of Batesville’s students. This vision is capture in their Bulldog Ready Portrait of a Graduate, which embodies the academic knowledge, skills, and attributes that, when combined with a robust portfolio of experiential and career-focused learning, will empower their graduates to succeed. The commitment to this vision is driven by several key factors: 

Relevance in Education 

Currency of the BHS Diploma 

Confidence and Readiness 

Taking the leap into the Ford NGL (Next Generation Learning) was a deliberate step toward addressing questions such as enrollment rate, persistence rates, completion rates, and the overall catalyst plan to further students in their education to provide better career options post-high school.  

Ford NGL is committed to increasing the number of innovative career exploration and engagement opportunities in the elementary and middle school. increasing the number of students engaging in high quality work-based learning opportunities during high school and increasing the number of students earning a high-value post-secondary credential by increasing access and enrollment in Next Level Programs of Study, Indiana College Core, and/or Grad growth for opportunities: 

Knowledge - Graduates will establish a foundation of academic knowledge and lifelong learning. They will demonstrate academic mastery, acquire financial, health, civic, and digital literacy, and develop an appreciation for personal growth and lifelong learning.  

Skills - Graduates will gain valuable skills that will serve them well in the future. They will think critically and make informed decisions, sharpen their communication skills through practice and feedback, identify/analyze/solve problems effectively, and complete credentialing requirements aligned with student skills and interests.  

Experiences - Graduates will find their passion and next steps after graduation. They will expand their community awareness to become responsible citizens, deepen their understanding of subject matter through experiential learning, find their passions by answering “What’s my Why?” and engage in college and career exploration opportunities. 

Attributes - Graduates will be prepared to become desirable applicants. They will gain confidence, empathy, resilience, integrity, authenticity, leadership, and drive.  

Batesville Community has created two groups to help implement and oversee the Ford NGL as they continue to move forward in helping their students. These are the Community Convening Advisory Council and the CEO Champions. These two tactic teams are crucial to the Ford NGL as they not only hold meetings to discuss further opportunities for students, but to discuss and understand how to help students outside of the classroom while preparing them for post-secondary education. Many of these students either have a career plan or are still undecided, which can post a problem for some universities. Many prefer that you have a plan in motion already, and your diploma is merely the first step of thousands you must take to decide your career path.  

A diploma should be represented as a student’s resume, not a time clock of 40 credit hours. Students will change their careers, will choose another route, and some may even still be truly undecided halfway through college. The Ford NGL is a foundation to provide students with career opportunities and experiences, decided their likes and dislikes, and find where their skills lie.  

As of right now, there are 10 pathways of study designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for future success. These pathways span a variety of fields, from engineering and advanced manufacturing to health sciences and business, providing a hands-on learning and career-focused experiences.  

These pathways are: Agriculture, Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering, Construction, Transportation, Business, Public Safety, Health Sciences, Information Technology, and Education/Human Services.