Local high schools Howe, Manual get 3-year extensions
Charter Schools USA will maintain control of Howe and Manual High Schools for three more years—a move that means the schools will be spared from imminent closure.
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Seven lessons from IPS innovation schools
Indianapolis Public Schools sought to disrupt the K-12 education world two years ago by launching "innovation schools," an entirely autonomous group of schools within the district's boundaries. With eight schools up and running, what lessons are emerging?
IPS board votes to add Herron High as district innovation school
One of Indianapolis’ most sought-after charter high schools just joined Indianapolis Public Schools—an unusual shift in a relationship that has long been competitive.
DeVos expected to reveal school choice plan at local event
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is among several well-known names slated to appear Monday in Indianapolis at the annual summit for the American Federation of Children.
Local charter network to buy vacant IPS elementary school for $1
Tindley Summit Academy will move this fall to the IPS School 98 campus, which was available for next to nothing under a rarely used state law.
State panel criticizes online charter school but lets it stay open
The State Board of Education punished Hoosier Academy Virtual Charter School, one of the largest online providers in Indiana, by freezing enrollment and reducing the fee for its authorizer, Ball State University.
Local charter operator bidding to manage all elementary schools in Gary
Phalen Leadership Academies is part of a team bidding to be the state’s manager for the takeover of Gary schools.
Lawsuit targets charters approved by private, religious schools
An education advocacy group has sued the state and a controversial charter school, seeking to block funding because the group argues that it is unconstitutional for private religious institutions to approve charter schools, which are funded by tax dollars.
Mind Trust drawing big dollars from national donors
The reputation the education reform group has engendered with its work in the city has spread—and therefore so has its donor base.
DeHaan, 74, still pumping massive cash, countless hours into charity
Indianapolis businesswoman and philanthropist Christel DeHaan is nearly 75 years old and she knows that someday she’ll have to slow down. Someday. Not now.
Well-regarded Herron High School seeks to strengthen ties with IPS
Joining the IPS innovation network would give Herron access to additional funding, but it would retain most of its independence. Herron’s head of school said the move "will not impact students in any way."
Purdue Polytechnic project hits snag on city’s east side
The planned high school for STEM studies announced with fanfare last year that it would move into the P.R. Mallory factory site, but leaders encountered a financial hurdle and now are keeping their options open.
Tindley Schools network taps former principal for CEO job
Kelli Marshall will permanently replace Marcus Robinson, who resigned earlier this year after questions about the financial state of the network and his lavish spending as CEO.
Indiana’s online schools fall short but are allowed to carry on
Since their start in 2009, Indiana’s online schools have grown tremendously, and enrollment now tops 11,000. But every online school in the state that tested students in 2016—including four charter schools—received an F grade.
Mind Trust has big plans for Indianapolis schools—and now it needs big money
The group is seeking to raise $32 million to fund the first half of its plan, which aims to double the number of students within Indianapolis Public Schools boundaries who attend highly rated schools.
Indy charter school struggling with unexpectedly low enrollment
Ace Preparatory Academy, started by an aide to former Indiana schools superintendent Tony Bennett, is at about 22 percent of its initial expected enrollment, with just 33 students as of Oct. 19.
Feds, ‘encouraged’ by Tindley’s financial efforts, award network $1.9M grant
The Indianapolis charter network was the only Indiana charter network to win one of the grants.
Abandoned P.R. Mallory factory to get new life as Purdue high school
The east-side factory used to employ 1,500 dry-cell battery makers, but has been abandoned for decades.
Holcomb’s education plan touts school choice, measured preschool expansion
In dueling speeches to education groups, gubernatorial candidates Eric Holcomb and John Gregg laid out their plans to improve state schools.
Competition for school kids heats up across Indy
Public schools—including traditional, district-run schools and charters—are employing ever-more sophisticated advertising and marketing campaigns in an effort to meet enrollment targets by the time the official state count day rolls around.