Nick Allison

Most high school students are enjoying a winter break before returning to class in January. But a few are done with high school, after being allowed to graduate mid-school year.

Valparaiso continues to attract young families, judging by the latest school enrollment data. The September count showed that Valparaiso Community Schools had about 6,471 students, 64 more than last September.

Valparaiso High School's career and technical education offerings are proving to be popular.

Porter County high school students will soon be able to earn a veterinary technician certification. The Valparaiso School Board officially added a veterinary science program to its career and technical education offerings last week.

Valparaiso Community Schools is touting its highest graduation rate in recent memory. The graduation rate for the 2021-2022 school year was 98.53 percent.

Valparaiso High School students will soon be able to earn school credit for community service. The school board last week officially added community service to the list of courses offered through the Valparaiso Alternative Learning Experience or VALE.

Valparaiso High School is offering STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education opportunities that aren't even available at many colleges, according to teacher Tarik El-Naggar.