The Mind Trust

06/05/2026

A new statewide analysis by the Annenberg Institute at Brown University found that Indiana charter schools posted greater academic gains post-COVID than traditional public schools, even after accounting for demographics and chronic absenteeism. Read about the results in Chalkbeat Indiana:

Researchers who looked at the two types of schools accounted for demographics, chronic absenteeism, and the type of instruction schools gave post-COVID. Those factors still don’t explain the difference between charters and traditional public schools in Indiana, they found.

06/04/2026

Congratulations to Libertas Academy Charter School on a phenomenal College Signing Day! Ninety-six percent of Libertas seniors applied to four-year colleges, and 100 percent were accepted, collectively earning more than $10 million in scholarships. Families, community partners, staff, and students celebrated alongside the school's rocking drum line. Modesto Montero-Forman, North Star Fellow with The Mind Trust and Libertas Founder and CEO, told his graduates: "This is not the end. This is the beginning. And now you need to persist."

06/01/2026

A new study by the Annenberg Institute at Brown University reveals that by 2024, Indiana public charter school students had regained their pre-pandemic achievement levels in math and surpassed their pre-pandemic achievement levels in ELA, while traditional district school students lag behind their pre-pandemic achievement levels in both subjects. Especially noteworthy: the study shows that low-income students, and those who were academically low-performing prior to the pandemic, made statistically significant gains in ELA and math in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Learn more in our blog: https://www.themindtrust.org/blog/2026/05/14/brown-university-study-finds-indiana-charter-schools-outperform-traditional-districts-on-pandemic-learning-recovery/

05/29/2026

A new study from the Annenberg Institute at Brown University reveals that Indiana public charter school students have made significantly greater post-pandemic learning gains than their peers in traditional district schools. Black public charter school students' gains were especially impressive, with students realizing statistically significant improvement in ELA and math each year from 2022 to 2024. Their academic growth accelerated annually, leading to a 10 percentile point increase within just one school year. Read our blog to learn more: https://www.themindtrust.org/blog/2026/05/14/brown-university-study-finds-indiana-charter-schools-outperform-traditional-districts-on-pandemic-learning-recovery/

05/29/2026

This fall, Believe Schools is launching a second school inside its Believe Circle City High School campus located just north of downtown Indianapolis. The new public charter school, Believe Accelerator, is designed for learners who are not interested in traditional school, may be at risk of dropping out, or who want to graduate early. Learn more in Chalkbeat Indiana: https://www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2026/05/21/believe-charter-operator-opens-second-school-for-credit-deficient-students/

Believe Schools met strong opposition when it pitched a second high school in Pike Township. Instead, school leaders are now focused on serving three types of students they say are currently underserved in Indianapolis.

05/27/2026

The Mind Trust's Shannon Williams, Lauren Peterson, and Dr. Tianay Perrault served as presenters at the 7th annual Global Special Education Associates' (GESA) "Speddy" Awards, red-carpet gala celebrating educators, paraprofessionals, therapists, administrators, and advocates across the special education community. Thank you for your strong support of our community, Shannon, Lauren, and Dr. Tianay!

05/27/2026

According to a new report from the Annenberg Institute at Brown University, students enrolled in Indiana's public charter schools have made significantly greater post-pandemic learning gains than their peers in traditional district schools. As of 2024, Indiana public charter school students have regained their pre-pandemic achievement levels in math and surpassed their pre-pandemic achievement levels in ELA. Read our blog to learn more: https://www.themindtrust.org/blog/2026/05/14/brown-university-study-finds-indiana-charter-schools-outperform-traditional-districts-on-pandemic-learning-recovery/

05/26/2026

Join ninth grader Kiontae as he navigates a typical day at The Match High School, where classes like biology, English, computer coding, and esports share his schedule.

"At The Match we are always being pushed to learn in new ways and to think bigger. In my classes, we work together, challenge each other, and are encouraged to ask questions. ... There are opportunities here that I never thought I'd have at school." —Kiontae

For 20 years, The Mind Trust has worked to ensure every student has access to a high-quality education that will help them reach their full potential. With support from The Mind Trust, schools like The Match can increase their academic impact and strengthen the communities they serve.

05/26/2026

The first cohort of The Mind Trust's Emerging Leaders Fellows has completed their three-year fellowship! We are thrilled by their development as leaders and are excited to see how they impact students, schools, and our community in the coming years.

Congratulations to Mary Brody, KIPP Indy Public Schools; Avience Brown, Victory College Prep; Stephanie Cahue, Circle City Prep; Jessica De La Cruz, Adelante Schools; and Ciara Jones, Avondale Meadows Middle School, on this huge accomplishment!

05/22/2026

🎉 The Mind Trust was again recognized as a Best Place to Work in Indiana at the Indiana Chamber of Commerce's annual Best Places to Work Dinner! 🎉 Read about the rankings here: https://www.indianachamber.com/rankings-announced-for-2026-best-places-to-work-in-indiana/