Indianapolis, April 11, 2024 – In a significant move that is reshaping the educational landscape in Indianapolis, a local charter school, formerly known as Ignite Achievement Academy, has received the green light from the State Board of Education to transition into a private institution. This change, set to take effect this fall, positions the newly dubbed Genius School to welcome state tuition vouchers, veering away from the stringent accountability measures that governed its charter operations.
The State Board of Education’s unanimous decision to grant provisional accreditation to the Genius School, which caters to over 100 students from kindergarten through sixth grade on the city’s east side, introduces a new chapter for the institution. This decision is seen as a vital lifeline for the school, which embarked on its educational journey with the aim of uplifting an underperforming school near the Riverside neighborhood under the auspices of Indianapolis Public Schools.
Scott Bess, a member of the State Board of Education, underscored the implications of the switch, highlighting that the school’s future would now largely depend on parental choice and the dynamics of the school choice market. “I do know they have a very loyal subset of parents and students who would follow them anywhere,” Bess remarked, pointing to the potential for the school to sustain and possibly expand its student body to ensure its viability.
The pivot to private status by the Genius School aligns with a broader trend observed across Indiana, where the utilization of vouchers to attend private schools is witnessing a significant uptick. This trend was further bolstered by legislative amendments last year to the state’s Choice Scholarships program, broadening the eligibility criteria for prospective students.
Despite the promising outlook, the Genius School’s transition is not without its challenges. The school has outlined a tuition fee of $9,010, a figure that surpasses the preliminary voucher amounts allocated to students within the Metropolitan School District of Pike Township and Indianapolis Public Schools. This discrepancy raises questions about the school’s ability to maintain its commitment to serving a low-income student demographic, a core aspect of its mission.
The school’s journey from its inception as Ignite Achievement Academy to its rebirth as the Genius School has been fraught with hurdles, including academic underperformance, staff turnover, and legal challenges. However, with its accreditation now secured, the school is poised to forge a new path forward, focusing on a “holistic curriculum” that emphasizes socio-emotional learning and cultural enrichment, particularly for minority children.
As the Genius School embarks on this transformative journey, all eyes will be on its ability to navigate the complexities of the private education sector while honoring its foundational commitment to fostering an inclusive and enriching learning environment for its students.
For more information on the Genius School and its transition, stay tuned to our Education & Workforce Development section.