Indiana Charter School Fellowship

Great Leaders for Great Schools

The Indiana Charter School Fellowship is a competitive, statewide opportunity for experienced educators and school leaders who are ready to grow high-quality public charter schools across Indiana. The fellowship supports the growth of new school models, replication of existing models, or expansion of existing schools. 

Fellows receive tailored support to design a school that meets real community needs, delivers strong academic results, and has sustainable operational and financial systems. Through one-on-one coaching, visits to high-performing schools across the country, access to expert partners, and protected time to plan, Indiana Charter School Fellows leave the program with a clear path to launching or growing a great school.

Whether you’re an established leader with a proven track record or someone with a bold new idea for what school could be, the fellowship gives you the space, structure, and support to bring that vision to life. As Indiana’s charter sector continues to grow, we’re looking for leaders who are ready to build the next generation of public schools—schools that are excellent, student-focused, and deeply connected to the communities they serve.

Application process

Application process:

  • Complete Letter of Intent (LOI) application
  • Selected candidates will be invited to complete a performance task.
  • Selected candidates will be invited to complete a panel interview.
  • Fellows will be selected by March 2026.

Applications are closed for the 2026-2027 cycle. Although applications are not currently open, we remain eager to connect with leaders exploring their next steps. Click here to submit an interest form to stay in touch and learn more about upcoming opportunities.

Qualities of an Indiana Charter School Fellow

School Fellows are experienced school leaders who have a vision for an effective, sustainable public school model for Indiana students. Fellows at The Mind Trust are passionate, experienced educators who are committed to leading a school that achieves strong academic outcomes for all students. Interested applicants should be able to provide evidence of the following:

  • School Leadership: Possesses a robust track record with 5–7+ years of proven leadership experience leading schools and teams, inspiring high performance, and fostering a results-driven culture.
  • Instructional Knowledge: Provides compelling evidence of significantly improving academic proficiency or sustaining top performance among similar schools, using data to drive instructional excellence.
  • Motivation: Exhibits a relentless passion and strategic vision for launching new schools or scaling existing networks. Demonstrates a readiness to engage communities, recruit staff and board members, and build collaborative local partnerships for lasting impact.