State charter board OKs merger of 2 Indianapolis schools, backs new microschool network
Leaders hope the merger of Ace Prep and Circle City Prep will bring financial stability to a small school with a strong academic track record.
Charter Schools
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Indianapolis Public Schools considers renewal of six Innovation Network schools
The schools up for renewal this week served a total of roughly 3,900 students last year and show varying levels of increased, decreased, or stagnant test results in the years immediately preceding and following the pandemic.
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Thrival Indy Academy Innovation school to close amid low enrollment
Thrival began as a one-year program within Indianapolis Public Schools in 2017, but expanded to a four-year high school in 2020.
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IPS seeks relief from law requiring $1 building sales to charter schools
The court filing by IPS is the latest move in a long-running dispute between the district and the charter sector over facilities and resources, as charter enrollment grows and IPS enacts academic and other changes to attract students.
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Senate unveils budget with no expansion for school voucher program
The most glaring contrast between the Senate and House proposals is the way in which they intend to expand funding to charter schools.
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Articles
Supreme Court seems open to allowing religious public schools
Supporters say denying full public funding to religious public charter schools amounts to anti-religious discrimination since states allow full taxpayer funding to other types of charter schools.
Charter schools score big funding wins, including new property tax sharing law
Most funding increases for Indiana charter schools won’t take place until 2028, when state law mandates that districts must begin sharing property taxes used for operating expenses.
Do charter schools perform better than IPS schools? Here’s what studies, test results show.
The question of whether charter schools perform better academically than traditional IPS schools is a key focus of debates about funding and educational success.
Lawmakers alter proposed advisory group on IPS and charter schools
Under the bill that advanced Wednesday, the group will develop a plan for the collaborative use of transportation and facilities between IPS and charter schools within IPS boundaries.
Former CEO of Tindley charter schools admits to defrauding network of nearly $1M
Brian Metcalf, who led the charter network from July 2019 through December 2022, pleaded guilty to two of the nine counts of wire fraud outlined in an indictment filed in 2023.
IPS calls for moratorium on new schools as lawmakers advance bill on sharing tax revenue
Indiana lawmakers are advancing a bill to force the district to share property tax revenue with charter schools. While charter advocates support the change, IPS worries about creating an unsustainable system.
Virtual school officials used money for students on political donations instead, prosecutors say
Leaders of the Indiana Virtual School and Indiana Virtual Pathways Academy face both federal and state cases in which they’re accused of defrauding the state of millions of dollars.
IPS board takes stand against bills that threaten district’s survival
House Bill 1136, the most extreme bill facing the district, would dissolve IPS and its elected school board and replace it with charter schools overseen by an appointed board.
School districts, coalitions punch back at bill that would close their doors
A Republican-backed bill that could dissolve five Indiana school districts, including Indianapolis Public Schools, sparked backlash from advocates and district leaders who argue the legislation unfairly targets high-poverty and urban districts that primarily educate children of color.
Charter group to push for property tax revenue sharing
Indiana Charter Innovation Center President and CEO Scott Bess wants traditional public school districts to share property tax proportionally.
IPS board renews agreements with six Innovation Network schools
The 6-0 approval extends the district’s relationship with the schools—most of which are charters—until June 2030.
PAC money surges in heated race for IPS school board seats
The race for four seats on the Indianapolis Public Schools board could significantly reshape the board’s makeup, with more candidates who are critical of charter schools.
Former Mayor Bart Peterson to resign as CEO of Christel House International
Peterson, 66, will be succeeded by David Harris, who worked in the Peterson administration and currently is the executive vice president of Christel House International.
Charter school supporters call on state to bolster Indianapolis transportation options
In some cases, charters are an option only for those families who can afford to drive or live close enough to walk to school.
IU Indianapolis expands automatic admissions pilot to IPS charter high schools
The announcement on Thursday builds off of the groundbreaking program IU Indianapolis and IPS announced in September that grants automatic admission to seniors with a grade point average of at least 3.0.
Indy STEAM Academy in danger of closing after authorizer revokes charter
The charter authorizer also approved the expansion of GEO Next Generation Academy, which is on the same property as Indy STEAM.
Messy breakup at Indianapolis charter school tees up fight over students, teachers
The split between Andrew J. Brown Academy and National Heritage Academies involves facilities, finances, and more. One is looking for a new home and has a new operator. The other wants to start a new school.
Charter schools could get property tax money if Pike Township referendum passes
The change is the result of years of lobbying by charter school supporters, who say that all public school students should benefit from local property taxes that help pay for buildings.
State OKs Indianapolis school’s switch from charter to private, making it eligible for vouchers
The approval is another lifeline for the charter school, which was initially named Ignite Achievement Academy and tasked by Indianapolis Public Schools to improve an underperforming school near the city’s Riverside neighborhood.