IH

INDIAN
HILL
SCHOOL
DISTRICT
PROMISE
FALL
2025
LEAD NOW! A SPECIAL WELCOME TO OUR FUTURE CLASS OF 2038

INDIANHILLSCHOOLS.ORG

WELCOME HOM
BRAVE FAMILY:E

A MESSAGE FROM CEO/SUPERINTENDENT KIRK KOENNECKE

It is with great excitement that we welcome you to the 2025-2026 school year!

From our unparalleled academics, arts, and athletics to our world-class and award-winning faculty and staﬀ, we know the educational experience we deliver is unique. This school year, as we continue to utilize our new K-12 IH Entrepreneurs’ Center, we will showcase all the ways our students and staﬀ LEAD NOW through our events, our website, our social media channels, our printed publications, and our videos.

OUR #IHPROMISE
We arrive back to campus this school year in year four of our always evolving #IHPromise strategic plan, to continue to help us focus on how to develop Learners as Doers, Learners as Individuals, and Learners as
the Whole Child. Over the past three years, we’ve streamlined our initiatives and last year put laser focus
into three high-yield approaches: Leadership, Building Thinking Classrooms, and Project Based Learning. To learn more about how we do business, you can visit the #IHPromise Strategic Plan link on our district website.

IH PLATINUM CLUB
We once again welcome back to our campus current and future members of our IH Platinum Club! This is an exclusive, free membership for all residents of the
Indian Hill School District age 50+ to be our guest to special events we plan throughout the school year, along with certain arts and athletics events. Interested in joining? Email us at ihplatinumclub@ihsd.us.

We look back over the last school year with pride: Indian Hill High School is ranked No. 1 in the state according to Niche; has become one of six districts in the nation to earn the AASA STEM Designation; with Indian Hill Primary School, Indian Hill Elementary School, and Indian Hill High School earning Ohio
STEM Designations, and is recognized as the best of the best in STEM learning from the Ohio STEM Learning Network (OSLN); all this with a national award-winning K-12 student communications program to share our learning – our Student Ambassadors!

Thank you for trusting us with your child; thank you for supporting our mission and our vision as we continue to evolve the work we do. We can’t wait to be back to business in making the dreams of our students come true!

Brave Family: LEAD NOW!

In service to our children,

Kirk Koennecke CEO/Superintendent Indian Hill School District Kirk.Koennecke@ihsd.us

@ihsuperbrave

DISTRICT SOCIAL MEDIA

As always,you can see our #IHPromise in action as we use our social media channels to celebrate our students and our staff :

facebook.com/indianhillschools

@ihschools	Indianhillschools	IHSD Communication

Indian Hill Exempted Village School District

2 | IH Promise

BE OUR

FOLLOW US AS WE LEAD NOW!
Don’t miss SEASON TWO of our nationally recognized Student Ambassadors newscast!

CLASS OF 2030 GUEST

HOW YOU CAN SEE WHAT IT MEANS TO BE BRAVE AT THE #1 HIGH SCHOOL IN OHIO! MEET BRYAN DANIEL

Indian Hill High School educator invites all potential Indian Hill High School Braves to be our guest for a uniquely Indian Hill student shadow experience!

Indian Hill School District (IHSD):
What is the student shadow experience?

Bryan Daniel (BD): We are proud tooffer all prospective students the opportunity to spend a day “walking the walk”of an IHHS Brave. From academic classes,electives, lunch, and breaks, shadowing students get toexperience all of the aspects of daily life at IHHS alongside one of our amazing student ambassador hosts.

IHSD: What makes IHHS so unique?

BD: What began as a way for current Indian Hill 8th graders to get a sneak peek of daily high school life has become just as popular with students not cur-rently enrolled at IH. In the last two years alone,we’ve had more than 30 students shadow from area middle schools and high schools.

This speaks to the unique nature of the IHHS experience; whether it is the comprehensive AP course offerings,the personalized electives catalog, the visual and performing arts distinction,the athletic excellence... or some combination of these factors, there is something at IHHS for every student, and it is no secret that Indian Hill offers a special high school experience.

How can potential IHHS Brave register to shadow?
Interested students can scan the QR code toregister:

IH Promise | 3

HONORED WITH NATIONAL COMMUNICATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AWARD HEATHER HIGDON

The Indian Hill School District is proud to announce that Chief Communications Oficer Heather Higdon has been named the 2025 National Communication & Community Engagement Award recipient by the National Association of School Superintendents (NASS). Higdon was honored during the NASS annual convention on September 10 in Chicago. The prestigious national award recognizes exceptional leaders who elevate transparency, trust, and connection between schools and the communities they serve.

“This recognition is truly a reﬂection of the team I am so fortunate to serve alongside every day,” said Higdon. “Our Board of Education, CEO/Superintendent Kirk Koennecke, and the entire Brave Family have been unwavering in their support and belief in setting a new vision for what school communications can be – especially byhanding the mic over toour amazing students with our Student Ambassadors program.I am deeply grateful to be part of this very special community that embraces innovation and celebrates storytelling that connects, inspires, and unites.”

Photocaption: Indian Hill School District Chief Communications Ofi cer Heather Higdon receiving the national Communication & Community Engagement award during
the annual National Association of School Superintendents awardsceremony on September 10 in Chicago.

ACADEMICS

NATIONAL MERIT
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
RECOGNIZES 10 INDIAN HILL

Indian Hill High School (IHHS) congratulates the 10 students who were recognized as part of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for their outstanding performance last year on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Three students from Indian Hill High School have qualiﬁed for the National Merit Semiﬁnalist Competition: Noah Coff man, Andrew Hu, and Sophie Tindale.

In addition, seven Indian Hill High School students have been recognized as National Merit Commended Scholars: Jonah Bonomo, Vedant Buch, Jixuan Chen, Kendall Higgins, James Liebel, Caroline Winks, and Grace Yu.

Photocaption: Indian Hill High School (IHHS) congratulates the 10 students who were recognized as part of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Pictured (Front L– R) Kendall Higgins, Andrew Hu, Caroline Winks,Grace Yu, Sophie Tindale; (Back L– R) Jixuan Chen, Noah Coffman, Jonah Bonomo, Vedant Buch, and James Liebel.

LEADERSHIP

INDIAN HILL SCHOOL DISTRICT
LEADING NOW:

THROUGH IH EXPERIENCESHIPS
EXPANDS REAL-WORLD LEARNING

The Indian Hill School District is leading now through the IH Entrepreneurs’ Center Experienceships program. The innovative model connects students with professional learning opportunities across a wide range of ﬁelds, and students didn’t take the summer off from these unique opportunities. During June and July, 58 Indian Hill High School students participated in professional programs, job shadows, or internships with 36 unique partners – including nonproﬁts, higher education institutions, start-ups, and large businesses. The District also celebrates the 2024-2025 school year with 166 students who were actively enrolled in the IH Experienceships program, marking a record level of student engagement.

“We are committed to helping students apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world situations,” said Jeff Damadeo, Indian Hill director of K-12 Leadership and Career Development. “Through the IH Experienceships program, students not only develop practical skills, but also gain conﬁdence, perspective, and connections that can shape their futures.”

4 | IH Promise

Scan the QR code to

WATCH NOW!

ARTS

ARTS CONSERVATORY SPOTLIGHT: OHIO MUSIC EDUCATION ASSOCIATION (OMEA) ALL-STATE ENSEMBLES

UPCOMING
SHOW DATES

HS Fall Show Performances Clue: High School Edition

Continuing the longstanding tradition of excellence in music, IHHS congratulates the six student musicians who have been selected to participate in a 2026 OMEA All-State Ensemble. These students were selected from thousands of high school students from across the state of Ohio after an audition submission that was reviewed by a blind adjudication process. Congratulations to Choir participants: Elyse Longbottom, Elsa Neidich, Kyle Peterson, and Nate Reich.Orchestra Participants: Aaron Scott (4 year selected participant) and Grace Yu.

October 16, 17, 18 (7:00 pm)

MS & HS Fall Choral Concert October 21 (7:00 pm)

MS & HS Fall Band Concert October 28 (7:00 pm)

MS & HS Orchestra Spooktacular Concert
October 29 (7:00 pm)

Braves Marching Band Mid-States Competition
November 8

MS Fall Show Performances A Wrinkle in Time
November 14 and 15 (6:30 p.m.)

HS Winter Art Show Opening Night Friday, December 5
(runs December 5-12)

ANNOUNCING THE INDIAN HILL ARTS HALL OF FAME: JANUARY 24, 2026

Save the date for our inaugural Arts Conservatory Hall of Fame! This event will celebrate the accomplishments of IH alumni and arts supporters from our community and will take place in concert with our beloved Cabaret performance!

THE ARTS ARE EXPANDING AT INDIAN HILL!

Piano Lab at the High School – giving students new opportunities to develop their musical skills.

Dance at the High School and Elementary School – inspiring creativity and expression through movement.

A Growing Theatre Program– with a new theatre program director and middle school director, alongside our fantastic tech director, this team is bringing fresh energy and vision to the stage.

MS Chamber Music Fest December 10 (7:00 p.m.)

ES Winter Choral Concert December 11 (6:00 p.m.)

IH Arts Conservatory Hall of Fame Induction
January 24 (5:30 p.m.)

Cabaret

January 24 (7:15 p.m.)

MS Winter Choral Concert January 27 (7:00 p.m.)

OMEA All-State Performances January 30 and 31 (Columbus,OH during the OMEA Conference)

2nd Grade Music Presentation February 9, 10, 11 (6:00 p.m.)

HS Winter Musical Performances The Pajama Game
February 19, 20 (7:00 p.m.), February 21 (2:00 p.m. | 7:00 p.m.)

And this is just the beginning…stay tuned for more exciting arts updates coming soon!

Stacey Searle, Theatre Amanda Brinkman, Program Director	MS Theatre Director

MS Art Show (Blue Ash Rec Center) February 27

IH Promise | 5

EARLY COLLEGE COMMITMENTS

Libby Holmes | Babson College

Ashley O’Brien | Murray State

Sophia Thompson | Emory University

WANT AN INSIDE LOOK AT BRAVES ATHLETICS?

Scan the QR code to explore our 2025 IH Athletics Fall Sports Media Guide, featuring our athletic administrative team and celebrating our amazing sponsors.

ATHLETICS

WE ARE INCREDIBLY PROUD OF OUR STUDENT-ATHLETES FOR THEIR DEDICATION BOTH ON AND OFF THE FIELD

BOYS GOLF
CHL Champions outright for the ﬁrst time since the 2011–2012 season

GIRLS TENNIS
CHL Champions for the 22nd consecutive year, continuing a historic run of excellence

6 | IH Promise

OME

Scan the QR code to watch the video of Homecoming.

IH Promise | 7

INDIAN HILL DEFEATS WYOMING, 28-7, IN HISTORIC WIN!

WCPO ‘Great win’ |
Indian Hill defeats Wyoming 28-7 in WCPO 9 Game of the Week.

FOX 19 Indian Hill beats Wyoming to stay unbeaten.

LOCAL 12 Indian Hill stays unbeaten, tops CHL foe Wyoming 28-7.

WLWT
Big Win of the Week: Indian Hill beats Wyoming.

4:00-5:00 p.m.

EDUHERO PODCAST Superintendent Koennecke. Indian Hill students, partners, and alumni. Authentic conversation.

RETURN ON INVESTMENT Once each quarter our CEO and CFO will team up to take a ﬁeld trip intoour facilities and learn from our students and teachers how we are creating an experience that is Uniquely Indian Hill!

IH PLATINUM CLUB Welcome to a new way to be Brave! We are continuing an exclusive, free membership for all residents of the Indian Hill School District age 50+ to be our guest through the IH Platinum Club.

INDIAN HILL BOARD OF EDUCATION
(L to R, front/back): Niki Singh, Board President; Bear Tullis, Board Member; Craig Sumerel, Board Vice President; Nolan Marx, Board Member; Robert Warfel, Board Member.

indianhillschools.org
	
COFFEE WITH KIRK	Thursday, November 6 A way to connect in-person
and meet the CEO of the	Indian Hill Board of Indian Hill School District!	Education Ofice
	
The Indian Hill Exempted Village School District serves students in the Village of Indian Hill, Kenwood, parts of Sycamore and Symmes Township, Camp Dennison and a small portion of Loveland.

INDIAN HILL EXEMPTED VILLAGE SCHOOL DISTRICT 6855 DRAKE ROAD, CINCINNATI,OH 45243
(513) 272-4500

Non-Proﬁt Org. U.S. Postage PAID Cincinnati, OH Permit No. 197