On Jan. 25, President Barack Obama delivered the 2011 State of the Union address, discussing current and future plans regarding the United States politically, socially and economically. A major focus dealt with education, specifically education reform. Principal John Williams said CHS is already meeting and exceeding the standards Obama set forth for the future of American education.

“If you compare Carmel High School to state scores or national averages, there is no question that we are way above average,” Williams said. “The thing that we have to do is get better, because if you don’t get better, you will get worse.”

During the speech, Obama addressed the importance of “STEM education,” a strategy involving a heavier concentration in science, technology, engineering and math courses, in order to remain competitive on the global scale. Williams said this change has already taken shape at CHS.

“We’re working hard with Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II, making sure all kids are through those three levels of math,” Williams said. “We’ve expanded our (Advanced Placement) programs in science and in math as well.”

Williams also said that CHS also offers courses coinciding with Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a national program designed to encourage education in engineering fields. PLTW courses are offered through the industrial technology department.

Jeremy Weprich, student body president and senior, said, “Carmel represents a minority of high schools in the United States that adequately prepares its students in all academic areas, however there is always room to improve. The issues of our country’s education aren’t intellectual; they are cultural. Here at Carmel we’ve developed that rigorous academic culture.”

Williams said, “Are we proud of what we do? Absolutely. Do we feel comfortable that our kids are leaving here with pretty good foundations in all of those areas? Absolutely. But there’s always room to get better.” By Sara Rogers <[email protected]>