Southern Wells Community Schools

Small School, Big Impact: Building Character

Expanding Opportunities, and Preparing Students for What Comes Next

In the heart of rural Indiana, Southern Wells Community Schools is proving that a small district can do big things. With a mission to “empower everyone to become their personal best,” Superintendent Dr. Trent Lehman and his team are steering a district that balances traditional values with forward-thinking innovation.

“Our community is conservative, Christian, and deeply rooted in family,” Lehman explains. “We reflect those values in how we work together, how we treat one another, and how we serve our kids. Every student here is known by name, and every decision we make comes back to helping them become everything they were created to be.”

A District at the Heart of Its Community

Southern Wells serves a network of small towns—Poneto, Liberty Center, Dillman, McNabb, Keystone, Petroleum, and other rural settlements—spread across open farmland in Wells County. Though small, the district punches above its weight, drawing 35 percent of its students from outside its boundaries.

Families from neighboring counties choose Southern Wells for its close-knit environment, personal attention, and opportunities that rival much larger districts. “We’re the right size to know our kids,” Lehman says, “but we still provide them with hands-on experiences and modern programs that open doors.”

That local commitment is evident in every corner of the district. The schools host community events, students volunteer locally, and teachers collaborate with small businesses, farms, and industry partners to keep classroom learning grounded in real life.

Learning by Doing

Junior/High School Principal Kim Conner emphasizes the district’s hands-on teaching style.

“That’s how kids learn best—by doing,” she says. “Our teachers work hard to make sure lessons connect to the real world, and we start career and college preparation as early as seventh grade.”

Technology plays a major role in that preparation. Southern Wells is a one-to-one Chromebook district, giving every student digital access while maintaining a strong emphasis on collaboration and critical thinking. Teachers integrate tools such as Classroom Screen—an app that helps organize lessons, display daily objectives, and facilitate interaction—to create consistent learning experiences across grade levels.

When it comes to artificial intelligence, Conner says the district has taken a proactive stance.

“We didn’t want to ban it; we wanted to guide it,” she explains. Each department developed a shared framework outlining when AI use is appropriate and when it isn’t. “We created a visual chart that hangs in every classroom, so students know exactly where the line is. Teachers can move a magnet to indicate whether AI is permitted for a specific project or assignment. That way, we’re teaching responsible use, not avoidance.”

STEM, STEAM, and Early Exploration

STEM learning starts early at Southern Wells. The elementary and middle school levels emphasize curiosity, collaboration, and exploration through robotics, coding, and problem-solving activities. “When I arrived five years ago, STEM had dropped off a bit in the middle grades,” Conner recalls. “We brought it back through clubs and short-term courses so kids could experiment before choosing high school pathways.”

By the time students enter high school, they’ve already experienced the basics of engineering, math labs, and technology, giving them the confidence to pursue advanced electives and career technical education (CTE).

Teaching Beyond the Gym

Few programs capture Southern Wells’ spirit better than the physical education program led by longtime teacher Mike Carter. For 41 years, Carter has taught much more than fitness—he’s built experiences that bring the wider world to his rural students.

“Most of our kids can’t just walk to a rec center or city park,” Carter says. “So I bring those opportunities to them.”

He organizes family fitness nights, outdoor education trips, and hands-on wellness lessons. But his most popular initiative is archery, introduced after a local organization surprised the school board with a $6,000 donation to purchase equipment.

Today, the archery program serves over 100 students from grades 4 through 12. Carter runs a morning practice for junior high and high school students and an after-school club that meets on weekends. The program has become a community-wide success, with participants advancing to regional and national competitions in Louisville and Myrtle Beach. “For a lot of kids, it’s their first time leaving Wells County,” Carter says. “Seeing them compete and succeed at that level—it’s incredible.”

The enthusiasm has rippled outward, boosting participation in 4-H archery and strengthening ties between families and the school. “We have parents volunteering, community members donating time and equipment—it’s contagious,” Lehman adds. “Mike’s work embodies what Southern Wells is about: giving kids experiences they might never have had otherwise.”

Facilities for the Future

Southern Wells is in the midst of significant infrastructure upgrades that blend preservation with progress. The Raider Dome, the district’s iconic sunken gymnasium known for its wooden ceiling and electric atmosphere, is receiving a full HVAC upgrade and air conditioning installation—a long-awaited improvement for summer sports and graduation ceremonies.

The district is also breaking ground on the Raider Activity Center (RAC), a new multi-use facility that will house an additional gym, a modern weight room, batting cages, and a dedicated wrestling space. “Our teams have outgrown our existing facilities,” Lehman says. “This project has been talked about for more than 20 years, and it’s finally happening.”

The existing basement weight room will be converted into a girls’ varsity locker room, ensuring equitable access to athletic space. “It’s about giving every student the resources they deserve,” Connor adds.

Other projects include new roofing, upgraded water heaters, and revamped security infrastructure. The district recently replaced its external locks—some of which dated back to the 1960s—and modernized its camera system to ensure a safe, secure environment.

Career and Technical Education: Building Skills and Partnerships

Career and technical education is a cornerstone of Southern Wells’ curriculum, designed to connect students directly to local industry. Longtime teacher Tracy Gentis leads the building trades program, now in its tenth year, where students construct an entire house from foundation to finish.

Working hand in hand with that effort is the HVAC program, launched in 2020 and led by Isaac Collins, a licensed professional with years of industry experience. The program partners closely with area contractors and suppliers, allowing students to apply classroom lessons on real job sites.

“Every year, our HVAC students install systems in the houses built by our construction class,” Connor explains. “This year, they’re also learning to put in radiant heated floors.” The program offers dual credit through Ivy Tech and prepares students for the NCCER HVAC Level 1 certification, giving them a professional credential before graduation.

Southern Wells also supports pathways in early childhood education, agriculture, and healthcare. The district runs its own preschool—founded in a converted high school family and consumer sciences classroom—to train future educators while addressing local childcare needs. Healthcare students earn CNA certifications through partnerships with regional institutions such as Ball State and the University of St. Francis, gaining exposure to clinical simulation labs before graduation.

“These programs align with who we are,” Lehman says. “We’re preparing kids for good jobs right here in the community—construction, trades, ag, education, healthcare—all essential professions.”

A Strategic Plan for the Next Generation

Looking ahead, Lehman is leading the district in crafting a new strategic plan to replace the long-range “Mission 2020” initiative completed by his predecessor. “It’s time to ask big questions again,” he says. “What do we want Southern Wells to look like in five to ten years? What skills should our students leave with? How can we strengthen ties between our school and our community?”

The process will include surveys of families, teachers, and local businesses to ensure the district’s direction reflects community priorities. “We’re not just educating kids,” Lehman emphasizes. “We’re building the next generation of citizens, workers, and leaders for this area.”

A Small School with Big Heart

Southern Wells may be small, but its ambitions—and its results—are not. The district’s newest offerings, from the archery program to soccer and the expanded CTE partnerships, reflect a school that refuses to stand still.

“Every improvement, every new program, it’s all about giving our kids more reasons to love learning and to feel proud of where they come from,” Lehman says. “When you empower students to be their personal best, they’ll surprise you every time.”

From the fields and small towns of Wells County to national competitions and college campuses, Southern Wells Community Schools continue to prove that quality education isn’t about size—it’s about heart, vision, and the determination to make every opportunity count.

AT A GLANCE

Who: Southern Wells Community Schools

What: A school district which has the students at its heart and success at the forefront

Where: Wells County, Indiana

Website: www.swraiders.com