Calumet High School this fall became one of six high schools in Indiana to become a New Technology High School, bringing the number to 16 in Indiana — more than any other state.

Superintendent Sharon Johnson-Shirley said it’s taken three years to implement the program at Calumet, one of six Lake County schools and 23 statewide that have been on academic probation for six straight years and could face state takeover next year under Indiana Public Law 221. There are no failing schools in Porter County.

Several Indiana schools adopted the New Tech model four years ago, and The Times this month spent time with teachers and students at two of them — Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis and Zebra New Tech at Rochester Community High School in Rochester — to see firsthand how the concept is working and what Calumet High can expect.