‘It’s funny how time flies’: Don’t forget about 21st Century Scholars program

Parents of a freshman in high school might feel like they’re getting ahead of the curve by starting to think about college.  In some respects, they’re probably right. But they also could be wrong in one major way.  Students from low-income families can qualify for up to four years of paid tuition at in-state public colleges and universities — and a comparable amount for private schools — from the state’s 21st Century Scholars program.  Students have to sign up by the summer of their eighth grade year, though.

“It’s funny how time flies,” said Esther Woodson, manager of student progress at Indy Achieves, which helps get students signed up for the program. As of May 19, Indy Achieves has helped 636 students apply for the 21st Century Scholars program, Woodson said. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization is still helping students apply digitally.  The deadline to apply is June 30.

“That’s a huge opportunity for students to go and get a postsecondary degree or credential and do it with a huge chunk of their overall cost covered,” said Matt Impink, executive director of Indy Achieves.  Impink noted that less than half of Marion County students are enrolled by the end of their eighth grade year.  Up north in Lake County, where only about 30% of eligible students from the 2020 graduating class are enrolled, Khadijah Brooks is celebrating the end of her high school career at 21st Century Charter School at Gary before going to college with the scholarship in hand.

Brooks finished second in her class and will go to IUPUI as an academic junior because of all of the dual-credit courses she took in high school.  “My parents motivated me a lot to be the best I could,” she said. “I know I want to be successful. I know I want to go to college to get my degree. Why not get a head start?”  Brooks, who will study nursing, said having the 21st Century Scholars help took some pressure off of her to find every available scholarship out there, even though she did keep applying for scholarships to help with books and other expenses.

Aarynn Bernard, who taught Brooks in kindergarten and then helped tutor and mentor her in high school, said Brooks has always been mature for her age, helping other students in class and setting high expectations for herself.  “She’s always very professional, straight to the point,” Bernard said. “She was about basically achieving her success.”  21st Century Charter School at Gary is part of GEO Academies, which is based in Indianapolis.  GEO Academies will open GEO Next Generation High School, a ninth through 12th grade charter school, in the fall of 2020.

 

Aplica Ahora

Grade Level

GEO Next Generation High School Indianapolis utilizará el sistema en línea Inscríbete Indy para el proceso de inscripción 2021-2022. Inscríbete Indy es un proceso de solicitud común que brinda ayuda a las familias con la correcta elección de la escuela que satisfará las necesidades que sus hijos tengan.

Los padres necesitan seguir las instrucciones a continuación para registrarse para el año escolar 2021-2022.

  1. Haga clic aquí para ir directamente a la página de nuestra escuela.
  2. Haga clic en   la esquina superior derecha para seleccionar como su “favorita” y comenzar el proceso de solicitud.
  3. Serás redirigido al Portal Inscríbete Indy. Allí configurará una cuenta y comenzará a llenar su aplicación.
  4. Necesitará un correo electrónico. Si no tiene uno, aquí le brindamos instrucciones que le ayudaran a configurar una cuenta de gmail de Google. Haga clic aquí
  5. Para obtener instrucciones sobre cómo completar la solicitud de inscripción ante de, Haga clic aquí

Para el año escolar 2021-2022, GEO Next Generation High School Indianapolis estará matriculando los grados 9o-11o. La escuela está ubicada en 4002 N. Franklin Road, Indianápolis, IN 46236. Para obtener más información para inscribirse en este año escolar actual, comuníquese con la escuela al numero de teléfono (317) 608-6220.

Apply Now

Grade Level

GEO Next Generation High School Indianapolis will be utilizing the Enroll Indy online system for the 2021-2022 enrollment process.  Enroll Indy is a common application process that assists families with school choice to meet the needs of their child(ren). Parents should follow the below directions to register for the 2021-2022 school year.

  1. Click Here to go directly to our school’s page.
  2. Click the top right to select us as your “favorite” and begin the application process.
  3. You will be redirected to Enroll Indy Portal.   There you will set up an account and begin your application
  4. You will need an email address.  If you do not have one, there are instructions to help you set up a Google gmail Account. Click here
  5. For instructions on completing the enrollment application beforehand Click Here

For the 2021-2022 school year, GEO Next Generation High School Indianapolis will be enrolling grades 9-12.  The school is located at 4002 N. Franklin Road, Indianapolis, IN  46236.  For information on enrolling this current school year, please contact the school at (317) 608-6220.