2014
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NBRS Badge for Signature School

Signature School - Evansville, IN

Signature, downtown Evansville, Indiana, consistently ranks #1 in the Midwest.

Signature, downtown Evansville, Indiana, consistently ranks #1 in the Midwest.

Signature School has established a tradition of high academic performance and achievement by creating a culture of learning based on trust and mutual respect. Board members, faculty, and staff share the focused goal of ensuring student success. Students, with their "signatures," attend the school by choice, knowing that the educational opportunities are challenging. Faculty and staff are committed to helping students meet their educational goals and hold themselves accountable through state, national, and international external assessments, and through internal evaluation. Results are published annually.

Signature is a globally-focused International Baccalaureate (IB) school with an open campus in downtown Evansville, Indiana. Students eat lunch at nearby restaurants, have PE at the YMCA, and do research at the public library. Signature has no bells, no lockers and no theft. It is open admission with students from diverse educational, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Since 2008, Signature has had more applicants than spaces and has conducted a lottery for admission.

Since 2006, Signature consistently has ranked in the nation’s top 100 high schools. Most recently, Newsweek-The Daily Beast ranked Signature #5 in the nation and #1 in the Midwest. Signature has achieved its remarkable results by firmly adhering to an open admissions policy. The school does not select its students. Staff believe that all students, given the opportunity, can attain a high level of academic success. All Signature students, regardless of test scores or other criteria, are enrolled in AP and IB courses. There are no barriers. Motivation is the only requirement.

2014 Awardee

Signature School

610 Main Street
Evansville, IN, 47708-1618

(812) 421-1820

Principal at time of Nomination:
Ms. Jean S. Hitchcock

Charter School, Title I School

Signature School

Urban or large central city

School Website

School Twitter

Mission

The mission of the Signature School is to meet the needs of self-motivated learners in a progressive environment driven by global concerns.

Student Demographics

  • Asian: 15%
  • Black/African American: 2%
  • Hispanic: 4%
  • White: 75%
  • Two or more races: 4%
  • ELL: 12%
  • Economically Disadvantaged: 9%
  • Application