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Portrait of A Baron Graduate

The Portrait of a Baron Graduate (PoB) was created by a diverse group of over 70 community members, including DHS students and district staff. This list of seven competencies represents what we want our graduates to carry with them upon graduation and beyond the diploma, which represents the completion of a rigorous academic curriculum. The PoB ensures that our graduates can meet challenges, seize opportunities, continually grow, and be successful throughout life.

This visual representation of the PoB serves as the district's North Star. It will help all in the district and community to focus on the needs of our students when considering their hopes, dreams, and aspirations. While graduation itself is not enough to help young people maximize life's opportunities, the competencies students develop throughout their time at DeKalb Central will help to inform the possibilities available to them after high school.

District-Wide

DeKalb County Central United School District is located fifteen minutes north of Fort Wayne in a rural community with a rich history. It is comprised of DeKalb High School and DeKalb Middle School and a preschool in each of our elementary schools: Country Meadow Elementary, James R. Watson Elementary, McKenney Harrison Elementary, & Waterloo Elementary.
At DeKalb Central Schools, we prepare students today for the world of tomorrow. We develop students as critical thinkers, communicators, & collaborators who can adapt & persevere with empathy & integrity in an ever-changing world.
Best District - 2022 Ft. Wayne Newspapers Readers’ Choice
Best High School Finalist - 2022 Ft. Wayne Newspapers Readers’ Choice Finalist
Best Middle School Finalist - 2022 Ft. Wayne Newspapers Readers’ Choice Finalist
U.S. News & World Report - Best High School - 2020, 2021, & 2023
U.S. News & World Report - Best Middle School - 2022
Highly Qualified Teacher Staff
Portrait of a Baron Graduate
Safety and Security Protocols Aligned with Best Practices
School Buses: 100% Seat Belts, Stop Arm Cameras, and Luminescent Signage
Leader in Energy Efficiency - Propane Buss, Solar at WTL, & LED Lighting

Pre-K & Elementary

Preschool in Each Elementary School
Paths To Quality - Level 3
Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.)
Curriculum & Project-Based Learning (PBL) Throughout Elementary Environment
Weekly Art, Music, Physical Education, Library, & Computer Science
After-School Robotics Club & Competitions
Full Time Dean, Counselor, & Nurse Smaller
Class Sizes - Average 22 Students

DeKalb Middle School

Block Scheduling to Allow Time for Deeper Understanding & Learning
Project Lead the Way (PLTW)
Project Based Learning (PBL)
22 Electives are offered including culinary arts, digital arts, drama, computer science, 4 different bands, and 3 choirs and show choir.
8th-graders have the option of taking 4 classes for high school credit while in middle school
3 Career and Technical Education Courses
6 Vocational Courses
25 afterschool programs ranging from golf, tennis, and football to theater, jazz and pep bands, show choir, flags and winter guard, cooking classes, FFA, and robotics
16 clubs that meet during school including, ISSMA, STEM, crafts, yoga and fitness, chess club, and intro to guitar
Newly Renovated Learning Spaces
U.S. News & World Report Best Middle Schools
2022 Fort Wayne Newspapers Readers' Choice for Best Middle School Finalist
Extracurricular Athletic Opportunities Robotics, Chess, Bowling, Cooking, & Guitar Clubs

DeKalb High School

DeKalb High School uses our Portrait of Baron Graduate to develop students as critical thinkers, communicators, & collaborators who can adapt & persevere with empathy & integrity in an ever-changing world. Students leave our district ready to enroll in secondary education guided by our 43 dual credit classes & 14 advanced placement classes, enlist in the military, or be employed in their chosen careers through 61 vocational & career technical education classes and certifications. Students have professional internships and work-based learning opportunities. They have extracurricular & co-curricular opportunities with 24 varsity sports including Unified Barons and 32 different club & activity offerings. Our seniors receive over 2 million dollars in scholarships awarded each year.

Project Lead the Way (PLTW), Engineering, Bio-medical, & Computer Science
43 Dual Credits
14 Advanced Placement Course Offerings
New Tech Network Options Available
Project Based Learning
Vocational and Career Technical Education
24 Varsity Sports Including Unified Sports
32 Club and Activities Offerings
Extensive Ag & FFA Programs
Band, Choir, Musical Theater, & Drama Department
Numerous Scholarship Opportunities
U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools - 2020, 2021, & 2022
The 2022 Fort Wayne Newspapers Readers’ Choice: Best High School Finalist
Baron Advanced Manufacturing (BAM) is a collaborative program for upcoming DeKalb High School juniors and seniors that connects students and adults with local manufacturing companies. Our manufacturing partners provide our students with real-world experiences in manufacturing processes and technologies. Paid internships are available for seniors in the program and all students will learn manufacturing fundamentals such as operations, safety, and blueprint reading as well as interpersonal skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving to lead to a successful career.

Students participating in BAM will gain technical, hands-on experience to allow them to explore if manufacturing is a part of their future career while still in high school. Students will have the ability to directly enter the workforce with the necessary skills to be successful. Students who complete BAM as juniors and seniors will earn 15 dual credit hours from Ivy Tech Community College, and students will earn multiple industry-recognized certifications such as OSHA-10, MSSC, and SACA.

Baron Advanced Manufacturing has partnerships with In-Mac, Purdue University, Ivy Tech Community College, Rathburn Tool & Manufacturing, Charleston Metal Products, Metal Technologies, Rieke, and Auburn Manufacturing.

Baron Advanced Manufacturing (BAM)

Baron Advanced Manufacturing (BAM) is a collaborative program for upcoming DeKalb High School juniors and seniors that connects students and adults with local manufacturing companies. Our manufacturing partners provide our students with real-world experiences in manufacturing processes and technologies. Paid internships are available for seniors in the program and all students will learn manufacturing fundamentals such as operations, safety, and blueprint reading as well as interpersonal skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving to lead to a successful career.
Students participating in BAM will gain technical, hands-on experience to allow them to explore if manufacturing is a part of their future career while still in high school. Students will have the ability to directly enter the workforce with the necessary skills to be successful. Students who complete BAM as juniors and seniors will earn 15 dual credit hours from Ivy Tech Community College, and students will earn multiple industry-recognized certifications such as OSHA-10, MSSC, and SACA.
Baron Advanced Manufacturing has partnerships with In-Mac, Purdue University, Ivy Tech Community College, Rathburn Tool & Manufacturing, Charleston Metal Products, Metal Technologies, Rieke, and Auburn Manufacturing.