We are proud of being a Purple Star School: 1 of only 3 high schools in Marion County. The Indiana Purple Star School Designation honors schools that have displayed a significant commitment to service members, veterans, and students and families connected to our Nation’s Military. Read more from the DOE here.
We are proud to recognize and honor the significant commitment of our service members and their families. Our nickname — Blue Devils — originates from “les Diables Bleus,” French soldiers who fought in World War I. After the United States entered the war, those same Blue Devils toured this country helping to raise awareness and money for overall World War I efforts.
As we honor our veterans, we commit ourselves to upholding our shared vision to support students to achieve academic success and become active and engaged citizens who work for the greater good of society. A sampling of our alumni demonstrate that.
IPS School Board Resolution
Passed on April 30, 2020, The Indianapolis Public Schools Board of School Commissioners passed Resolution 7856 in support of our military families.
• Indianapolis Public Schools offers our gratitude and support for military personnel, their families, and all military veterans;
• Indianapolis Public Schools will provide support to military families;
• Indianapolis Public Schools will make every effort to connect military families with the resources they need.
Current Shortridge Staff With Military Backgrounds
- Lt. Col. (retired) Ronald Crane, ROTC Senior Instructor
- 1SG (retired) Anthony Hill, ROTC Instructor
- Kate Ash
- Chastity Brooks-Deaton
- Kyle Hirsch
- Bryna Johnson
- John Paarlberg
- William Russell
- Susan Sieler
- Dennis Thomas
Join Our Team
The IB program aims to develop internationally minded people who through our common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet help to create a better and more peaceful world. Military service members and their immediate family members, who meet the minimum qualifications for job openings within the school, will be guaranteed a job interview. Start that process here.
Join Our Family
Shortridge High offers the internationally recognized International Baccalaureate (IB) program for students in grades 9-12 along with a variety of programs in the performing and visual arts, physical and health education, athletics and extracurricular life. The student body comes from all parts of the city and from more than 30 schools. All families must enroll through Enroll Indy. See here for more information about enrollment.
Support and Assistance
- https://psycharmor.org/
- https://www.in.ng.mil/Family-Resources/Family-Assistance/
- https://www.march2success.com/
- https://www.military.com/spouse
Veterans Day Convocation
Every Veterans Day, our school gathers in the historic Caleb Mills Auditorium to honor our veterans and recognize our shared commitment to service. The orchestra, lead by Ms. Sieler, plays the battle hymns of each military branch. Our JRTOC Cadets present the colors. In 2019, Brig. Gen. Patricia R. Wallace, Deputy Commanding General, 88th Readiness Division, was our guest speaker.
Our JROTC Program (@ShortridgeJROTC) has more than 100 cadets. The Cadets help us host three blood drives each year supporting efforts to replenish the blood supply in central Indiana, and they work the chains at home football games. Cadet Jackson (pictured below) was the first-ever Indiana recipient of the National JROTC Essay Contest in 2019. Cadet Lerma also spoke at our September 11, 2019 Remembrance. More about IPS JROTC can be found here.
