Chad Cripe

By Chad Cripe
Principal, Tippecanoe Valley High School

AKRON — According to Chad Cripe, principal of Tippecanoe Valley High School, they have had a terrific start to the school year.

“I’m looking forward to ending the first semester strong,” Cripe stated, “At Tippecanoe Valley our mission is a commitment to student success through character, leadership and literacy.”

Having been blessed with many outstanding mentors in his life, Cripe said that as a former basketball coach, he turns to UCLA’s legendary Coach John Wooden and his teachings whenever he can. Cripe noted one of Wooden’s sayings, “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, as your character is who you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”

At Tippecanoe Valley High School, Cripe said he has witnessed numerous examples of leadership from the staff and students. Cripe mentioned that in the Peers class, led by Mr. Kris Walker, the students are mentors for elementary and middle school students, conduct community service projects and recently attended a training for Youth Mental Health First Aid in which they received recognition for their outstanding character and leadership.

Tippecanoe Valley High School is committed to student success through literacy. This year they developed and implemented a new Return to Instruction (RTI) program for any student that is lacking the skills necessary to be successful in the classroom and on the ISTEP+ exam. They have built into the class schedule three days for extra math support and three days of extra English support. This has been a collaborative effort by all the teachers to help out and give the students the extra support they need.

“I am extremely proud of all the teachers, especially the non-content area teachers, that have taken a risk and stepped outside their normal areas to help all students learn,” Cripe stated, “I am very excited to see our scores come back this summer so that we can celebrate the success of everyone’s hard work.”

To further support their mission to promote student success, Cripe said they are working hard to bring new dual credit and advanced placement courses to TVHS. The students will have more opportunities than they have ever had before, with the goal being to create a pathway in which a student can graduate from TVHS with enough college credits to begin their academics at any Indiana university as a sophomore. Cripe advised they will continue to work with the Warsaw Area Career Center to provide certifications in trades and other dual credit opportunities.

“We will continue to focus on ensuring that every student has the skills they need to be successful in the 21st century,” said Cripe, “I am extremely proud to be a Viking and even prouder of our staff and students.”