Topic: Teachers College

December 21, 2007

Ball State University has approved four new charter schools to open in fall 2008: Imagine Schools on Broadway in Fort Wayne, Imagine Indiana Life Sciences Academy-East in Indianapolis, Hoosier Academy-Indianapolis and Hoosier Academy-Muncie.

Based upon a recommendation of a charter school review panel and after receiving community input at each school's public meeting, Ball State President Jo Ann M. Gora approved the sponsorship of the schools.

  • Imagine Schools on Broadway: Will begin serving students in grades K-5 in the fall 2008 with a proposed enrollment of 550 students. The school plans to expand its enrollment to 600 students in 2013. The curriculum will include innovative teaching techniques aimed at preparing students for success in college and in the ever-growing global community of the future.

  • Imagine Indiana Life Sciences Academy-East: Will serve students in grades K-5 with a proposed enrollment of 575 students. It plans to expand to 1,025 students in grades K-8 in 2013. The purpose of the school is to provide students with an academically excellent learning opportunity by offering challenging curricula richly infused with life sciences, math and technology and designed to engage all in the learning process.

  • Hoosier Academy-Indianapolis: Will serve students in grades K-10 with a proposed enrollment of 400. It plans to expand to 800 students in grades K-12 by 2013. The academy strives for student mastery of a rigorous, research-based K-12 curriculum aligned to Indiana academic standards. It will combine traditional learning with technology in order to connect students, parents and teachers in a 21st century learning community focused on results.

  • Hoosier Academy-Muncie: Will serve students in grades K-10 with a proposed enrollment of 200 students. It plans to expand to 400 students in grades K-12 by 2013. The academy strives for student mastery of a rigorous, research-based K-12 curriculum aligned to Indiana academic standards.
    It will combine traditional learning with technology in order to connect students, parents and teachers in a 21st century learning community focused on results.

"Ball State is responding to the desires of Indiana communities for educational alternatives," Gora said. "The sponsorship of these new charter schools signifies that Ball State is committed to providing added opportunities for quality education to parents and students across Indiana."

Selection:

Before schools are approved, they are reviewed for community support, engaging educational programs and other aspects such as finances and potential location. These four schools meet the expectations necessary to start and operate a successful charter school, said Larry Gabbert, director of Ball State's Office of Charter Schools.

"Organizers from each of the schools have given us a clear, focused mission that aligns with our expectations and desire for academic success," he said. "We are confident in the abilities, curriculum and teaching methods of these schools as well as their commitment to education."

Earlier this year, Ball State also approved the sponsorship of four other charter schools, Anderson Preparatory Academy, Aspire Charter Academy, Dr. Robert H. Faulkner Academy and Indiana Math and Science Academy-Gary, which are all scheduled to open in fall 2008.

In 2001, the Indiana General Assembly approved legislation allowing four-year public universities, public school districts and the mayor of Indianapolis to sponsor charter schools. Ball State is the only university authorizing charter schools in Indiana, with 22 in operation and eight more to open in fall 2008. As a public charter schools authorizer, Ball State does not run the schools but reserves the right to rescind a charter if a school fails to meet performance standards.