Indiana’s public charter school law passed in 2001, championed by former Indiana State Senator Teresa Lubbers and the Indiana General Assembly. Since then, Indiana’s charter sector has flourished, and our schools have elevated outcomes for students across the state.
25%
growth among charter schools is ICIC’s goal by 2030.
116
days of learning in math are gained by students in Indianapolis charter schools relative to their district peers.
50%+
of students in Gary and within Indianapolis Public Schools boundaries attend a charter school or similar.*
*By state law, Indianapolis has Innovation Network Schools, which can be charter schools or schools with similar contractual autonomy from district mandates. These schools operate in partnership with Indianapolis Public Schools.
130
charter schools exist in the state
56K
students in Indiana attend a public charter school
Charter schools are public schools that are free to attend and open to all students (as long as space allows). Like all public schools, they cannot discriminate based on factors like disability, race, gender, or religion. Some charter schools focus on helping students who are struggling or at risk of dropping out, while others offer advanced learning opportunities.
Unlike traditional public schools, which are run by school districts, charter schools in Indiana are operated by nonprofits. This structure gives school leaders and teachers more flexibility to make important decisions at the school level, such as curriculum choices, school schedules, and the length of the school day—allowing them to create learning environments tailored to their students' needs.
While charter schools have more freedom, they are also held to high standards of accountability. They are overseen by nonprofit boards and independent authorizers who track their performance. If a charter school isn’t meeting students' needs, its authorizer has the power to step in and even close the school if necessary. This balance of flexibility and accountability makes charter schools a unique option within public education.
No, they are public schools that are free to attend.
After seven years of tireless efforts by then-State Senator Teresa Lubbers, Indiana’s first charter school law passed in 2001 and signed into law by Governor Frank O’Bannon. The state's first schools launched in 2002.
No, charter schools must comply with all federal and state laws and serve all students, including students with Individualized Education Plans, every day.
There are 130 charter schools in Indiana serving approximately 56,000 students across the state. That amounts to about 5% of Indiana’s students.