The Same Diploma—Delivered Differently
How Personalized Support Helped Natalie Find Her Confidence
At Purdue Polytechnic High Schools (PPHS), students earn the same accredited high school
diploma as students across Indiana. The difference is how they get there.
Learning at PPHS is designed to be more personal, more hands-on, and more connected to the
real lives of students. Smaller school environments, strong relationships with staff, and
opportunities to explore interests allow students to grow academically and personally.
For Natalie Neri Toledo, a junior at PPHS LAB, that difference has shaped how she sees both
school and herself.
Small School, Big Opportunities
Natalie describes the PPHS LAB campus as small—but in the best possible way.
While the building itself may be smaller than a traditional high school, she says the opportunities
feel much bigger.
Right now, Natalie is working on filming a pitch video for the Startup Foundation, an
experience that has allowed her to explore entrepreneurship and storytelling while developing
real-world skills.
“It’s been really fun,” Natalie explained. “I’ve learned a lot, especially from my advisors here.”
At PPHS, projects like these are designed to help students learn by doing—giving them the
chance to explore interests and apply their learning in meaningful ways.
Support That Shows Up Every Day
For Natalie, one of the biggest differences between PPHS and other schools has been the level
of support she receives from staff.
“The size, for sure,” she said when describing what feels different. “And the one-on-one I get
with my advisor. Not even just my advisor—all the adults here. I get tons of attention.”
That attention has made a meaningful impact on how she experiences school.
“When I ask for help, I get the help that I need,” Natalie said. “I feel smarter in a way, and I feel
more connected to the community.”
Staff Who Help Students Through Challenges
Natalie says that support has been especially important during challenging moments.
When she was going through a difficult emotional time, Coach Jess stepped in to help her
regain her confidence and get back on track.
“She really helped me pick myself back up,” Natalie said.
Other staff members have supported her in different ways. Coach Edge has helped Natalie
develop audio-visual skills and supported her with internship opportunities, while Coach Rinks
provides encouragement and positive energy when she needs it most.
These relationships reflect a core part of the PPHS model: students are surrounded by adults
who know them personally and are committed to helping them succeed.
Learning Through Real Experiences
Natalie has also had opportunities to explore the community through internships.
During her freshman year, she completed an internship focused on community advocacy and
mobilization, working with a local church. Through that experience, she created brochures,
built surveys, conducted research, and participated in community field trips.
Experiences like these help students build real-world skills while discovering new interests.
Growing Into Her Voice
When Natalie first arrived at PPHS, she says she struggled with confidence.
Over time, that began to change.
“Coming here helped me find my backbone,” Natalie said. “They helped me stand up for myself
and stand up for what’s right.”
A New Relationship With School
Perhaps the biggest change for Natalie is how she now feels about school itself.
Before coming to PPHS, school wasn’t something she enjoyed.
Now, it’s one of her favorite places to be.
“Generally speaking, I didn’t love school before coming here,” Natalie said. “Now I really like
school. School is one of my favorite places.”
When asked to describe PPHS to another student in just one sentence, Natalie didn’t hesitate.
“Small but mighty.”
What “Delivered Differently” Looks Like
Natalie’s experience shows what The Same Diploma—Delivered Differently means in
practice:
Personalized support from staff who know each student
Hands-on projects that connect learning to real experiences
Opportunities to explore interests through internships and community work
A learning environment where students build confidence and find their voice
At PPHS, the goal isn’t just graduation—it’s helping students discover their strengths and step
confidently into what comes next.
Our approach. Their next step.
Learn more about what student support looks like in action at PPHS:
