Indianapolis charter and innovation school enrollment rises to 62% within IPS boundaries

According to recently released data from the Indiana Department of Education, the percentage of public school students attending charter and innovation schools within or near Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) boundaries has risen to 62%. In the 2025-2026 school year, more than 27,400 students attend Indianapolis charter or innovation schools. 

Charter school enrollment figures include K-12 independent charters and innovation network charter schools located within and just outside of IPS boundaries. The figures in this blog also include adult charter high school enrollment from Indianapolis Excel Centers and Christel House DORS, which provide adult students who are 18 years or older with the opportunity to earn their Indiana high school diploma and support to overcome obstacles to future success. 

IPS-boundary enrollment shifts show need for systemic change

This increase reflects steady enrollment changes driven by student and family choice. Innovation network schools began serving students ten years ago, in the 2015-2016 school year. In that year, charter and innovation schools enrolled 14,619 students, serving 33% of public school enrollment within or near IPS boundaries. Total enrollment in charter and innovation network schools has increased 88% in the last decade. 

By comparison, schools operated by IPS have seen steady enrollment decreases. Ten years ago, in the 2015-2016 school year, IPS-operated schools served 27,988 students. Total enrollment in IPS-operated schools has dropped by 39% over the last decade. 

In the 2025-2026 school year, enrollment in IPS-operated schools decreased by 6%, dropping from 18,181 to 17,087. This follows multiple years of enrollment drops, including a 3% drop last year. IPS’ freshman class enrollment declined by 20% this year alone, mirroring last year’s middle school decline. The data indicates this trend will likely continue for three more years as a result of IPS’ grade reconfiguration plan through Rebuilding Stronger. 

As the Indiana legislature begins to meet and consider the recommendations of the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance, this year’s enrollment data and trends demonstrate the need for system-level changes that reflect our current education landscape. Solutions like an independent transportation and facility authority can help charter and innovation students, who are the majority of public school students in IPS boundaries, access the resources they deserve. 

Indianapolis charter and innovation schools serve majority low-income, students of color in IPS boundaries

Charter and innovation schools continue to serve the majority of students of color within and near IPS boundaries. In the 2025-2026 school year, students of color made up 88% of charter and innovation school enrollment. Charter and innovation network schools serve more than twice the number of Black students than IPS-operated schools.

Table 1: 2025-2026 Indianapolis student enrollment for IPS-operated, charter, and innovation schools by race

*Includes enrollment from American Indian, Asian, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander student groups

Other special populations, like students from low-income families and English Language Learners, are choosing charter and innovation schools at higher rates than IPS-operated schools. In the 2025-2026 school year, 73% of charter and innovation school students qualified for free or reduced price meals. 

Table 2: 2025-2026 Indianapolis special population student enrollment for IPS-operated, charter, and innovation schools 

While charter and innovation schools do not yet have the same access to property tax or referendum funding as traditional districts do, they continue to make academic gains. With funding on par with that of traditional districts, charter and innovation schools would be able to accelerate student achievement. 

As families continue to make school choices that reflect the needs of their students, our community should take their actions into account when debating important system-level change.