Support That Shapes What Comes Next: How PPHS Supports Students Like Rex inFinding Their Path
Rex Cole poses with his Purdue University certificate following a celebratory event recognizing his acceptance into Purdue University.
At Purdue Polytechnic High Schools (PPHS), students are supported by teachers who do more than deliver content. They listen, encourage, and help students discover where their strengths truly lie. For Rex Cole, that kind of support helped turn a general interest in space into a clear academic direction—and a future at Purdue University.
Discovering What Really Matters
When Rex first started thinking about his future, he imagined himself working as an aerospace engineer designing Mars rovers. But as his coursework deepened, he began to notice something else—what he enjoyed most wasn’t the design process, but the math and research behind it.
That shift didn’t happen in isolation. It was shaped through conversations, encouragement, and instruction from teachers who knew Rex well—especially his calculus and physics teacher, Coach Connor.
“My calculus teacher really shaped where I was going,” Rex shared. “He helped me realize how important math really is—and that I actually love doing it.”
Support That Meets Students Where They Are
At PPHS, teachers take time to understand what students care about and where they’re headed. For Rex, that meant extra support when concepts felt challenging and guidance that connected coursework to his long-term goals. When Rex struggled with physics, Coach Connor stepped in—not just to help him get through the material, but to make sure he truly understood it.
“He helped so much when I was struggling,” Rex said. “He knew this is what I wanted to do, and he made sure I understood it.”
That kind of support helped Rex build confidence—not just in a single class, but in his ability to succeed in a demanding field.
A School Environment That Encourages Growth
Rex describes his experience at PPHS as one where everything came together over time. Smaller class sizes allowed teachers to know him personally, and a close-knit school culture helped him feel supported by both peers and staff.
With encouragement from teachers and classmates alike, Rex felt confident leaning into his interests—especially his long-standing love of space, science, and math.
Preparing for What Comes Next
Today, Rex has been admitted to Purdue University as an astrophysics major. His path wasn’t defined by a single moment, but by years of steady support from educators who helped him explore, refine, and commit to what he cared about most.
When Rex reflected on why Purdue felt like the right next step, he pointed to the university’s legacy in space exploration and research—especially its connection to astronauts like Neil Armstrong.
For Rex, the belief and guidance he received at PPHS helped turn curiosity into a clear path forward.
Our approach. Their next step.
Learn more about what student support looks like in action at PPHS:
