SOUTH BEND — Officials from Purdue Polytechnic High School (PPHS) South Bend and Career Academy Network of Public Schools (CANOPS) say that the new partnership between the two charter systems is a chance to create more transformative learning opportunities for South Bend students.
On Wednesday, Feb. 4, the PPHS Board of Directors voted to relinquish PPHS South Bend’s charter at the end of the 2026-27 school year and enter into a memorandum of understanding with CANOPS, which, CANOPS CEO Jeremy Lugbill said, stands as a strong collaboration between the two schools.
“I would say that the majority of families, as we talk to folks, really care less about the school type and more about their student’s safety, the love and depth of learning, their development and readiness for the future,” he said. “So I think that the partnership represents two strong organizations working together to deliver high-quality, relevant learning experiences while honoring place and connection to our community.”
As part of the MOU, PPHS students enrolled at the Studebaker Building 84 location will have priority enrollment in the Portage School of Leaders or any of CANOPS’ other locations for the 2026-27 school year. To create as seamless a transition as possible, Lugbill said, the schools will prioritize academic continuity, credit alignment, grade placement and clear communication with families.
There will also be several open house events throughout the rest of the school year for PPHS South Bend students and families to tour the Portage School and learn more, he said.
Lugbill said combining the two schools will provide additional athletic, dual credit and experiential learning opportunities, and because the Portage School is located near downtown South Bend, the students will be close to industry postsecondary partners. And, he said, the charter systems share similar approaches to education, as they’re both members of the Carnegie Foundation’s Future of High Schools Network.
“The partnership keeps students at the center, innovation at the core and South Bend at the heart,” Lugbill said.
The MOU also provides PPHS South Bend staff members the chance to interview for open positions at CANOPS, with the goal of moving PPHS staff to new positions within CANOPS. Lugbill said CANOPS aims to hire as many of the PPHS team as possible, as “we are in a people-first business.”
He said the experience working with PPHS has been “super collaborative,” and both teams are looking forward to the partnership.
Justin Zobrosky, principal of PPHS South Bend, was not available for an interview on Thursday but emailed The Tribune a statement about the move.
“I am incredibly proud to have been part of Purdue Polytechnic High Schools, an organization dedicated to student outcomes and to assuring our graduates succeed in college and their careers,” he said. “With state-of-the-art facilities, access to transportation and extracurricular activities, and a student-centered learning approach, Career Academy South Bend will expand opportunities for our students.
“This partnership is the right path forward and, most importantly, benefits our students.”
Email South Bend Tribune education reporter Rayleigh Deaton at rdeaton@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Purdue, Career Academy leaders say partnership makes new opportunities
Reporting by Rayleigh Deaton, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
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