Rural Charter Consortium

Purpose

Rural charter schools often face circumstances that differ from those of larger or urban systems, but those differences are not always visible in policy discussions. This consortium would bring rural Indiana charter schools together to document those conditions and give lawmakers clear information about what rural charter schools need.

Kevin Davis and Lynn Black are partners in this work.

It is a first step toward rural charter schools standing together. How the group is organized remains open: it could become a subgroup of a state association, or it could stand as an independent group. That question has not been decided.

Conversations have been held with the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of Indianapolis. We hope to involve them, though nothing is finalized.

A starting point: Opportunity to Learn

The Lilly Endowment Opportunity to Learn program, administered by Indiana Lifelong Learning Projects, is the starting point for gathering schools. It supports work on non-academic barriers to student success, including transportation, out-of-school time, hunger, mental health, family circumstances, and housing.

Schools do not have to receive an Opportunity to Learn grant to take part in this work, and joining does not require hiring any particular person or organization. Read the official Opportunity to Learn program information.

Schools involved so far

Mays Community Academy has agreed to serve as the anchor school. Otwell Miller Academy and Springville Community Academy have verbally committed to participate. The other schools below are included in the outreach group; this list does not mean they have already agreed to participate.

  • Canaan Community Academy
  • Dugger Union Community School Corporation
  • Lawrence County Independent Schools
  • Mays Community Academy — anchor school
  • Otwell Miller Academy — verbal commitment to participate
  • Renaissance Academy Charter School
  • Rock Creek Community Academy
  • Springville Community Academy — verbal commitment to participate
  • Montezuma Elementary – an Indiana Agriculture and Technology School

Updates

No public updates yet. This space is reserved for news about the consortium as the work takes shape.

Get in touch

If your school is interested, or you want to learn more, please reach Indiana Charters through the contact page or call (317) 945-7723.