By Julie Broch
Purdue Polytechnic High School is trying a new approach that aids autistic students in school and set them up to accomplish more in life. In a traditional school setting, autistic students often find themselves struggling, trying twice as hard only to get half as far as their peers. Purdue Polytechnic High’s new method ensures that autistic students will no longer experience these issues by offering flexible schedules, STEM-focused curriculum, and project-based learning. Out 250 students attending the school, 45 of them are on the autistic spectrum. According to U.S. News, “The school’s approach focuses on giving students with autism the flexibility and control they need,”. The school also encourages the idea of “failing forward”, which invites students to try new approaches in a series of trial and error occurrences. The school also sure that autistic students stay on track even after high school, offering an automatic ride to Purdue Polytechnic Institute in West Lafayette. However, if the student no longer wishes to go to school, Purdue Polytechnic High connects them to local professionals in STEM fields to hopefully find them a stable job.
