HIHO Program Expands to Middle School

In fall 2026, JPII will expand the Hand In Hand Options (HIHO) program to include middle school students in grades six through eight. Since 2004, JPII’s HIHO program has served high school students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through the generosity of donors and a grant from the HIHO Regional Board, JPII has secured the initial seed money to begin serving younger students in a cohesive seven-year program that allows access to Catholic education in an inclusive environment while creating even more opportunities for growth toward independence. 

HIHO student Nicholas LaGanke, the JPII Men's Varsity Basketball team manager, celebrates a region championship with the team.

President Erick Chittle explained, “The Church's understanding that each human is made in the likeness and image of God coupled with our pro-life stance demands schools that have open doors to students with varying needs. We are proud of our Hand In Hand Options program that offers exceptional education to families with special-needs students. 

“In fact, over the past twenty-two years, our program has been a model for other Catholic schools around the nation. Over the past two months, we have had schools from Seattle and Louisville visit JPII to learn from us. It is a blessing that we are part of only 2% of Catholic schools across the country that offer this type of inclusive programming. As is always the case, when you follow God's law of love, blessings follow — this program does untold good at JPII for our entire community.” 

Principal Jennifer Dye added, “Expanding HIHO to our middle school is a natural next step for who we are as a 6-12 community. When students grow up alongside one another from sixth grade, they don't just learn inclusion as a concept; they live it. Every student at JPII is seen and celebrated for exactly who they are, and beginning that experience earlier only deepens its impact for our entire community.” 

HIHO students find many opportunities to be involved in the school community, often in partnership with peer mentors in inclusion courses such as theology, physical education, history, fine arts, and other electives. The peer mentor program builds understanding, supports the dignity of the human person, and fosters friendships that create genuine inclusivity benefiting the entire community. 

HIHO teacher Kim Shaver reflected, “One of the greatest gifts of teaching in the HIHO program is watching our students grow in confidence and independence year after year. Some of the most meaningful moments are the everyday victories — students building friendships, taking on new responsibilities, and discovering their own strengths and abilities.” 

HIHO students also participate independently in extracurricular activities across campus. Students in the program have won state STEM awards for design, cheered for the basketball team, created videos in media class, competed on athletic teams, and much more. 

Shaver added, “What makes that growth possible is the support of our community. In an environment where teachers, peers, and families believe deeply in the dignity and potential of every person, our students continually inspire us with all that they do.” 

For JPII parent and future middle school HIHO teacher Traci LaGanke, the expansion to middle school represents something deeply personal. 

When her son Nicholas, who has Down syndrome, approached high school age, the LaGanke family began a years-long search for the right educational environment. Traci, a special education teacher, understood both professionally and personally how difficult it can be to find a program that truly balances academic growth, independence, faith formation, and authentic inclusion. 

The family’s search took them from Virginia to Florida during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Frustrated by limited resources and closed doors in Virginia, they connected with the close-knit Down syndrome community online and began asking families across the country about schools serving students with exceptionalities. They eventually relocated to Florida, where Nicholas attended a strong middle school program, but once again the family found themselves searching when high school options proved limited. 

Through recommendations from other parents, the LaGankes learned about JPII’s HIHO program. After touring the school, Traci recalled feeling hopeful for the first time in years. But it was Nicholas who made the decision clear. Following his shadow day visit, he simply announced, “I’m going to JPII.” 

To make that possible, the family maintained two households for much of the school year while testing whether the move would truly be the right fit. Nicholas and his father, Steven (who works remotely), relocated to Tennessee first while Traci remained behind in Florida before eventually trading places with her husband after accepting a teaching position in Sumner County. 

Throughout the year, the family watched Nicholas flourish.

Nicholas became a manager for the basketball team, attended Young Life events, formed friendships with students across campus, and found a community where he was not merely accommodated, but embraced. Traci remembers watching him celebrate with the basketball team during the regional tournament and leaving in tears of gratitude.

“We have found a place that recognizes his value. It’s not a show; it’s very genuine,” she said. “Everything I had ever hoped for Nicholas since he was born is happening. What I love most is the student body. There’s a genuine love, respect, and compassion in the JPII community.” 

She especially recalls moments when coaches and students intentionally included Nicholas in the life of the school, whether it was basketball players welcoming him at a Young Life event off campus or coaches making sure he was safe and included even amid the excitement of a regional championship run. 

“That’s when we knew,” she said. “This is where he belongs.”

The experience ultimately inspired the LaGankes to relocate as a family to Tennessee, and Traci will also join the HIHO program as the new middle school teacher as the expansion begins in 2026. 

“My whole life I wanted to be a teacher,” she explained. “After having Nicholas, I realized I wanted to work with students with exceptionalities because I understand both the parent perspective and the educator perspective. I want parents to know I will treat their child like I would my own.” 

She believes adding middle school grades will have a lasting impact not only for HIHO students, but for the entire JPII community. 

“Everything takes a little longer for students with exceptionalities, and having middle school allows us to build those skills earlier and longer,” she explained. “But it also helps relationships grow. Imagine the friendships our students can build by starting in sixth grade and journeying through high school together.” 

For the LaGanke family, the Catholic identity of the program has been just as transformative as the academics and inclusion opportunities. 

“Nicholas has told me that his favorite part about school is Mass,” Traci shared. “Nicholas is hearing from his peers and teachers every day that Jesus loves him, that forgiveness matters, that he belongs. This is everything we have ever wanted for our children.”

As JPII prepares to expand the HIHO program, Traci hopes other families searching for a place for their children will not let fear hold them back. 

“Trust that JPII knows what they are doing with your child,” she said. “We moved here because we have the utmost faith in this program and this community. I have never feared for Nicholas at JPII, not in the classroom, locker room, cafeteria, or anywhere. From the top down, they truly care for these students, and that changes everything.” 

Families who are interested in learning more about admissions into the Hand In Hand Options Program should contact Kim Shaver (kim.shaver@jp2prep.org). If you are interested in supporting the mission of the Hand In Hand Options Program, please contact Director of Advancement Michelle Barber (michelle.barber@jp2prep.org).