One of a kind: Trinity only Four Star high school in state

SEYMOUR — Being named a Four Star School is nothing new for Trinity Lutheran High School in Seymour.

But this year, Trinity has the distinction of being the only high school in Indiana to receive the honor.

The list of 41 Four Star Schools was released Friday by the Indiana Department of Education.

This is the fourth time in five years Trinity has made the list.

The school pulls students from neighboring communities, including Bartholomew County.

“This is a collective achievement that requires the hard work and dedication of those committed to fulfilling our mission of educating, developing and preparing Christian servants and leaders,” said Principal Ben Stellwagen, himself a Columbus resident. “It’s also great affirmation of a job well done by our faculty, staff, students, families and local supporters.”

To earn Four Star status, schools must meet certain academic requirements, including receiving an A on the state’s A-F accountability system, having high ISTEP or End of Course Assessment pass rates and high graduation rates and showing success in preparing students for college and/or the workforce.

Trinity has an enrollment of 142 students in ninth through 12th grade. For the past five years, the school has had a 100 percent graduation rate.