21st Century Charter Logs 88.9% College and Career Readiness Rating

In recent months, several studies have been conducted on funding disparities between traditional public schools and public charter schools. Most focus on the “average” disparity between the schools. Look a little deeper and you will find the inequity to be much bigger in Gary, Indiana.

Using numbers provided by the Indiana Department of Education, Gary Public Schools spent more than $15,212 per student last year compared to 21st Century Charter School’s spending of $8,695. To be sure, we spent what we could. We are limited by the revenues we receive. Gary traditional schools have access to bonds and other local revenue sources that charter schools throughout the state don’t.

This amounts to a 43% funding disparity.

Nearly 1,000 more students attend charter schools in Gary than traditional schools with 4770 attending Gary Community Schools this year compared to 5613 attending charter schools in Gary this year.

Are 54% of Gary students worth 43% less than traditional Gary school students?

I think not!

We’ve all known charters are underfunded, but 43% less? Wow! 21st Century Charter School receives more than $6500 less per student. For our school, that’s more than $8 million per year less for our students.

And yet, we find ways to succeed anyway.

Case in point–look at 21st Century Charter School’s most recent college and career readiness rating. The state finally released the most recent figures this week and 21st Century Charter School’s students logged an 88.9% college and career readiness rating. What does this rating tell you? It is a measurement the state uses to guage how many college and/or career credits each graduate earned before graduating from high school. The state gives schools credit if students earn at least one 3-credit college course, a career certification course, or an AP and/or IB credit. So, 88.9% of our graduates earned at least three college credits while in our high school.

But we know our students did much more than that. In fact, 71% of this year’s class of 2021 has already earned a full year of college credits and the class as a whole has earned 17 college credits already. Six of our students earned a full associate degree, two have earned a full three years of college and one is just a handful of credits away from earning her bachelor’s degree.

Nonetheless, check out the graph above. 21st Century Charter School is the top school in NW Indiana in terms of college and career readiness, it beats the state average of 68.1% and is in the top 9% of the state–all while receiving 43% less than the local traditional schools.

We need to fix the formula. Why? Because as proud as I am of the performance of the school, we could be so much better. We want 100% of our high school students earning college and career credits. Indeed, we want 100% to earn associate degrees while in our high school. If we had equal funding, we could have smaller class sizes, provide more remediation for our students who are not in our college program, and hire more teachers and pay our teachers better.

There is a new legislature in session this year. It is my hope that our success will bring some positive changes not just for us, but for all students.

Happy New Year!

Sincerely,
Kevin Teasley
Founder & President
GEO Foundation

Aplica Ahora

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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

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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.