EDUCATION

Schools,

the backbone of any hometown, are a measure of a community's commitment to the future. They become a focal point for family life as well as provide cultural and sporting events for everyone.

Lowell families are served by Tri-Creek School Corporation and two parochial schools. Lowell Baptist and St. Edward School, giving families all the benefits of easy access to school facilities and activities.

Tri-Creek School Corporation serves students from three townships totaling 18,000 residents. Oak Hill, Lake Prarie, and Three Creeks elementary schools share a combined enrollment of about 1,325 students in grades kindergarden through fifth. The language arts, mathmatics, and science curricula are complemented by participation in physical education, art and music instructed by teaching specialists in these areas. Elementary education stresses the development of the child as an individual with unique needs and potential, as well as aquistion of specific knowledge and skills.

Middle school students receive a unique junior high school experience at Lowell Middle School which follows a school-within-a school plan. This grouping allows teachers to get to know their students very well. This attention helps guide students to academic and social success.

Lowell High School students enjoy a wealth of academic, vocational and athletic opportunities including advanced placement courses. The excellent facilities serve an enrollment of over 950 students and include a theater-in-the-round, music, art, and business centers, and an athletic complex. The school library contains 10,300 volumes, two computer labs, and a media center.

Lowell Baptist Schools, established in 1974, provide a Christ-centered education and works to develope high spiritual and moral standards. Students in grades kindergarten through twelfth follow a rigorous academic program based on preserving American heritage and Christian principles. Lowell Baptist Schools, enrollment of about 90, provide team sports and cheerleading.

St. Edward Catholic School, enrollment 140, serves students in grades kindergarten through sixth and provides a full day kindergarten option. The faculty strives to provide for the uniqueness of each child intellectually, emotionally, physicallly, socially, and spiritually to prepare the students for an active role in society and in church.

Administration is by a Sister of Providence of St. Mary of the Woods, Indiana. St Edward School is accredited by the state of Indiana. All teachers hold Indiana teacher's licenses.

Colleges and Universities within commuting distance.

Universities:

• Calumet College, Whiting
• Governor State, University Park, IL
• Indiana University Northwest, Gary
• Purdue Calumet, Hammond
• Purdue North Central, Westville
• St. Joseph's College, Rensselaer
• Valparaiso University, Valparaiso
• Most Chicago Institutions

Technical / Vocational:

• Commonwealth Business College, Merrillville
• Davenport College, Merrillville
• Gary Area Career Center, Gary
• Indiana Vocational Technical College, Valparaiso, Gary
• MCCI-Medical & Computer Clerks Institute, Portage
• Purdue Calumet, Hammond
• Sawyer Business College, Hammond
• Travel Academy of the Dunes, Chesterton
• Wide World School of Travel, Valparaiso
• Various Beauty Colleges

• Calumet College
• Indiana U. Northwest
• Purdue Calumet Campus
• Valparaiso University

Major Institutions within 200 miles:

• Butler University
• Ball State
• Depauw University
• Indiana University
• Indiana State University
• Northwestern
• Notre Dame
• Purdue University
• Wabash College

Public School summary

Lowell's Public schools provide for a variety of needs and interests. The Tri-Creek Merit program provides challanges for academically able students, grades 3 - 12. Students with special needs are served by the Northwest Indiana Education Cooperative. The high school offers a curriculum of 177 credits, including Advanced Placement Credits in chemistry and biology. Available at only two schools in Indiana, an Air Force R.O.T.C. program provides an introduction to the military.