Every Student, Every Day
How Superintendent Brent Baker and His Team Are Building a Future-Focused, No-Excuses District
In the heart of Madison County, Indiana, the Alexandria Community School Corporation (ACSC) stands out as a district with a mission as bold as it is compassionate: “Every student, every day—no exceptions, no excuses.”
For Superintendent Brent Baker, those words represent more than a slogan—they define the district’s culture. “We don’t make excuses,” he says. “We know some of our kids face challenges—poverty, limited family support, instability—but that can’t stop us from doing everything we can to help them succeed. Our schools must be the safest, calmest, most consistent places they experience.”
That belief in equity, effort, and opportunity runs through every initiative at Alexandria. From the earliest lessons in elementary classrooms to hands-on career tech programs at the high school, the district is rebuilding around student support, modern learning tools, and community pride—a formula designed to give every child a pathway to success.
A Culture of Support—for Students and Staff
Meeting students where they are begins with understanding what they need. Alexandria’s schools provide comprehensive wraparound support that extends well beyond academics—addressing emotional well-being, financial stability, and family engagement.
“Our teachers play an important and consistent role in students’ lives,” Baker explains. “That comes with a responsibility we don’t take lightly.”
The district has invested heavily in both student and staff wellness. All employees have access to Your Money Line, a financial literacy and loan-forgiveness assistance program designed to reduce financial stress. Plans are also underway to introduce 24/7 access to professional counseling—covering mental health, marriage, and workplace support.
For students, Alexandria’s counselors and administrators take a proactive approach. “We want to catch issues before they become crises,” says Greg Kyle, Principal of the Junior–Senior High School. “That means being visible, approachable, and making sure every student has someone they trust.”
Innovation Starts Early: Design Studio and STEM Foundations
At Alexandria-Monroe Elementary School, innovation begins on day one. Principal Stacy Bowen beams when describing the school’s Design Studio, a hands-on learning space that blends problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration.
“Every child spends a full week in the Design Studio,” Bowen explains. “They’re challenged to think critically, disagree respectfully, and solve problems together. They might 3D print, code a story, or even design a way to move a rock—whatever gets them thinking and building.”
The program, launched five years ago, has become a cornerstone of Alexandria’s STEM strategy. “It’s about sparking curiosity early,” she says. “Kids learn to use technology not just as consumers, but as creators.”
Technology literacy continues throughout the district. Students use coding and robotics to link classroom concepts to real-world applications, while teachers integrate digital tools to personalize instruction. “Technology is here to stay,” Bowen adds. “We’re teaching students how to use it wisely and effectively.”
Even artificial intelligence has a place in the discussion. The district is piloting AI-assisted learning for teachers, helping educators analyze writing samples and provide precise feedback. “It’s not replacing the teacher,” Baker clarifies. “It’s helping them do what they already do—just faster and more efficiently.”
Building Pathways: From Classroom to Career
At the secondary level, Alexandria’s focus shifts from exploration to execution. The district has become a model for career and technical education (CTE) in a community that values both college readiness and workforce training.
Baker, a former high school principal, recalls the shift in thinking that shaped his leadership philosophy. “Years ago, schools pushed every student toward college,” he says. “Now we understand that success doesn’t have one path. Some of our students will go into skilled trades, some into health care, and others into higher education—and all of those are valid.”
When Baker first became principal, he replaced traditional “college visit” days with manufacturing tours, giving seniors a firsthand look at local employers and real workplaces. “A lot of students would say, ‘I’ll work where my dad works,’ but they’d never actually seen the facility,” he explains. “After those tours, their eyes were opened.”
The district now offers 10 CTE pathways, and is in the planning stages for new agriculture and diesel mechanics programs that reflect local workforce needs. “We’re a rural, farming community,” Baker says. “It made no sense that we didn’t have an ag education. That’s changing—and our next step is a diesel mechanic program in partnership with the regional career center.”
Mr..Kyle says the results are already visible: “Students are earning certifications, building experience, and connecting with employers before graduation. We’re setting them up for success, whether they go to college or straight into the workforce.”
Dual Enrollment and College Credit
For students aiming to continue their education, Alexandria offers robust dual-enrollment and Advanced Placement (AP) options. Through the Indiana College Core program, students who complete 30 or more college credit hours graduate with a transferable credential recognized by all Indiana public universities.
“This year, five to seven students will earn the College Core,”Mr. Kyle says. “That’s significant when your graduating class is under 100.”
The district also runs a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program that doubles as a bridge to higher education. “Our CNA students can graduate with up to 41 college credits,”Mr. Kyle explains. “By senior year, many are working part-time in local hospitals and earning $18–$20 an hour. A few of our former CNAs are now registered nurses who started right here in our classrooms.”
Capital Improvements and Smart Stewardship
Even as Alexandria focuses on student growth, it’s also modernizing its facilities with an eye toward fiscal responsibility. “We’ve made it a priority to plan ahead and stretch every dollar,” Baker says.
Baker relays that recent capital improvements include, HVAC upgrades across district buildings, including a new high school chiller that replaced a 30-year-old system, LED lighting installations at the high school, improving energy efficiency, carpet replacement in 16 classrooms, and a new press box and concession stand at the softball field, and a storage and pavilion space for tennis.
To guide future investments, the district completed a facility study and is creating a five- and ten-year infrastructure plan. “We’re budgeting from the ground up rather than borrowing through referendums,” Baker explains.
One of his proudest achievements is a district-wide reduction in staff insurance costs—saving employees a combined $20,000 annually. “That’s money back in their pockets,” he says. “It’s not glamorous, but it matters.”
Investing in People: Teacher Onboarding and Mentorship
For Principal Kyle, strong schools begin with strong teachers. “When a new teacher joins us, the first thing I do is listen,” he says. “I want to understand who they are before I tell them who we are.”
Each new hire is paired with a mentor teacher who helps them navigate curriculum, culture, and classroom management. “We make sure they know we’re here to help,” Kyle says. “Teaching is challenging, but it shouldn’t feel isolating. Having that mentor makes a world of difference.”
The same philosophy drives Baker’s leadership approach at the district level. “We talk about accountability a lot,” he says. “But accountability also means supporting people so they can meet high expectations.”
Alexandria’s schools are more than classrooms—they’re the center of a small but proud community. “This town has tremendous spirit,” Baker says. “We have successful athletics, dedicated families, and teachers who love what they do.”
Principal Bowen agrees: “Our kids are our motivation. Every day, they remind us why we’re here. You never know when you’ll get a high five, a joke, or a story they’re proud to share. Their energy is contagious.”
Looking Ahead
Over the next 18 to 24 months, the district’s top priorities are clear: to attract and retain families to reverse a five-year enrollment decline, expand workforce-aligned programs in agriculture, mechanics, and technology, strengthening partnerships with the City of Alexandria to bring new businesses—and new families—into the community and to continue to tell the district’s story to a wider audience.
“We need to do a better job of showing people who we are,” Baker says. “We’re a small district with big opportunities, and we have to tell that story proudly.”
As Alexandria continues to adapt to the evolving economy, its message remains steady: no excuses, no exceptions, every student, every day. With that conviction—and a community willing to work together—the district is proving that small schools can think big.
AT A GLANCE
Who: Alexandria Community School Corporation
What: A school district that is committed to student achievement and looking ahead to 2026
Where: Madison County, Indiana
Website: www.alexandriacsc.alex.k12.in.us
