Van Horn High School Ribbon Cutting

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of the new addition at Van Horn High School on Tuesday, November 20. The ribbon cutting ceremony took place ahead of the Van Horn and William Chrisman varsity basketball game in the new gym at Van Horn. Students and staff offered tours of the new addition to alumni and community members following the ribbon cutting.

The new addition on the east side of Van Horn High School is complete, housing an impressive commercial kitchen for culinary students. The upgrades also include a new metals classroom, remodeled science classrooms, a physical therapy and athletic training space and a competition gym. The construction projects were part of a $38 million bond overwhelmingly approved by voters. The bond included a new elementary school and classroom spaces at all three ISD high schools for STEM, Culinary, Vocational and Business coursework.

Superintendent Dr. Dale Herl is proud of the progress and thankful for the community support, “I’m so appreciative to our voters. I can’t say enough about the trust they put into us. The bond passed at a historic rate and that says a lot about our community support and the need for these projects.”

After the annexation of Van Horn High School into the Independence School District, the school opened with 450 students in 2008. Today, Van Horn High School is home to 1,000 students.  The graduation rate at Van Horn is 95%, a 30% increase from just five years ago.

Superintendent Dr. Dale Herl credits the dedication of an amazing staff and the hard work of students and families, “I’m proud of our team at Van Horn, who put kids first every day. The teachers and staff have made incredible academic gains to have achieved the highest graduation rate in Van Horn history,” Herl says. “It’s a testament to the great work of our teachers and students and the support of our families and community.”

The bond projects at Van Horn, William Chrisman and Truman will ease overcrowding, eliminate all mobile trailers in the district, as well as add and enhance classrooms at all three ISD high schools for STEM, Culinary, Vocational and Business coursework. The Independence School District continues to expand Academy offerings at all three high schools to ensure all ISD students are college and career ready.