Indianapolis charter school closing Dec. 16

An Indianapolis charter school backed by Mayor Greg Ballard is closing in the middle of the school year due to financial troubles.

WRTV-TV Channel 6 reported that parents and students at Stonegate Early College High School were told Monday the school will close Dec. 16.

The school offered students the opportunity to earn a Core 40 or Academic Honors diploma and an associate college degree while in high school.

Ballard spokesman Marc Lotter says the mayor's office has hired a third-party trustee to help families find new schools for students.

The school's website says it has about 180 students with an 85 percent graduation rate.