• IATS Academics

Curriculum – Real-Life Experiences at IATS

Producing a workforce prepared to meet the challenge of accelerating change in every component of agriculture is the primary reason why our school exists.

At IATS, middle school students engage in real-life experiences through our project-based learning (PBL) programs. In these programs, students tackle real-world projects and participate in student-directed activities that focus on agriculture and technology, with an emphasis on career readiness. Project-based learning mirrors the work adults do in their daily jobs, providing students with meaningful, real-world applications.

PBL vs. Traditional Instruction

student is checking a quality of soil
PBL Pathway

Inquiry and instruction are student-led

Covers multiple disciplines

Learning extends beyond the classroom

Students have voice and choice in their learning

Students are presented with problems to solve

Typically occurs in groups

Ends with a public product

Traditional Instruction

Inquiry and instruction are teacher-led

Covers a single discipline

Learning remains within the classroom

Teacher dictates tasks

Students are told what they need to know

Typically occurs individually

Ends with a test

What IATS Students Will Experience:

Academic Coursework     

Address real-world issues or problems
Engage in sustained, independent inquiry both in and out of the classroom
Exercise their voice and make choices throughout the project
Combine elements from various disciplines
Collaborate with public partners, such as universities, community organizations, or businesses
Produce a public product that is shared with the broader community
Participate in a comprehensive process that includes research, design, production, marketing, and engaging supporters or investors

IATS offers an academic program centered on personalized learning paths, allowing students to learn at their own pace and master core concepts. This flexibility supports advanced learners in exploring challenging material while providing targeted assistance for those who need it. The benefits of personalized learning include:

  1. Reduced learning fatigue
  2. Freedom from unconscious biases
  3. Increased emotional resilience
  4. Enhanced opportunities for creative thinking

Our online curriculum, Edgenuity, incorporates research-based instructional practices to meet the diverse needs of all students. Aligned with Indiana State Standards, Edgenuity’s courses feature challenging content, relevant activities, adaptable assessments, and real-time feedback to empower students in achieving their academic goals.
High school students at IATS have the opportunity to earn an Indiana High School diploma with options for Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors, or Technical Honors. Starting with the class of 2029, students will also have the option to earn a new Indiana Diploma, which includes the Core 40, Honors Seal, or Honors Plus Seal. For more information about the new Indiana Diploma, please click the link provided.

High Ability Learner Program

High Ability Learner Program Mission Statement

The mission of the IATS High Ability Learner Program is to recognize, support, and respect the exceptional intellectual, academic and social-emotional needs of high ability learners. Indiana Agriculture & Technology School’s (IATS) goal is to provide all students with the knowledge they will need to flourish in a global society. With this knowledge, IATS will develop the skill sets necessary to perform at, or show the potential to perform at, an outstanding level of accomplishment in the agriculture and technology areas. IATS recognizes the need to identify such students through systematic, ongoing procedures.

Characteristics that are needed to meet student’s needs are:

  1. An ability to learn at a more rapid rate
  2. A wider range of interests
  3. An ability to handle abstract thought
  4. An ability to think a greater depth regarding what is taught

Click here to obtain a copy of our Indiana Agriculture & Technology School High Ability Learner Program Mission Statement.

Agriculture and Technology On-Site Educational Days – Active Participation Days (APD)

The IATS educational curriculum is a blended model, combining required online course work with interactive hands-on agricultural and technology education lessons. This is a combination of on-site campus activities and various educational experiences at organizations throughout the state. (i.e., Becks Seeds, Caterpillar, livestock operations, orchards, and other natural resource experiences). If as student signs up to participate in the Active Participation Days on our campuses, students must be in attendance on a regular basis and cannot miss more than three (3) days. If you are not going to attend your scheduled APD due to an illness or scheduled outside appointment, you must notify the teacher at that campus location of your absence.

If a student misses more than three (3) APD unexcused per semester, the school reserves the right to remove the student from the APD and place them in our virtual academic program.

School does not provide transportation to the farm campus for APD or for any field trips away from the farm campus. Lunch is not provided. Students must bring their own lunch. Students are not allowed to leave the farm campus at any time during the APD.