School Launch Fellowship

The application for the School Launch Fellowship is now open. Deadline: January 13, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST

Click here to apply Contact our team with questions about the School Fellowship

Great Leaders for Great Schools

The School Launch Fellowship helps best-in-class educators develop and lead high-quality, public charter and innovation network schools in Indianapolis. Fellows receive personalized coaching, resources, and training throughout the program, as well as ongoing support once schools are launched.

Fellowship Highlights:

  • Nationally-unique, paid fellowship opportunity for talented educators with 5-7 years of school leadership experience
  • One to two-year cohort experience with other fellows working to launch high-quality public schools
  • National and internationally cohort trips to visit and learn from other high-performing, innovative schools and educators
  • Extensive expertise and feedback on school design and building process from an experienced team who supported the launch of 45 public schools in Indianapolis

Fellowship Impact

  • School Fellowship alumni have launched 27 charter and innovation network schools in Indianapolis since 2013. 
  • In the 2022-2023 school year, School Fellows launched two schools: Liberty Grove Schools and Monarca Academy.
  • The Mind Trust is currently working with our 9th cohort of the School Fellowship. The Fellowship began in the 2013-2014 school year. 
  • According to a 2022 study from Stanford University, students in charter and innovation network schools are achieving as much as 2-3 months of additional learning in reading and math compared to their peers in traditional public schools in Indianapolis.

When I started with KIPP Indy Public Schools some years ago, school leadership was not brand new to me. When they shared the opportunity to do the School Fellowship with The Mind Trust as part of developing KIPP Indy Legacy High, it sounded amazing.

Three things really stood out to me: the exceptional professional development, the chance to connect with veteran leaders, and the partnership with a cohort of Fellows.

– David Spencer, School Fellow alumni + Founder and School Leader of KIPP Indy Legacy High

Qualities of a School Fellow

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

  • School Leadership: Has at least 5-7 years of experience leading a school that serves a majority of students from historically marginalized backgrounds. 
  • Instructional Knowledge: Can provide data for schools under their leadership that achieved strong levels of academic proficiency (i.e. proficiency rates that were raised significantly during their time as a school leader or proficiency levels that are strong in comparison to other schools serving a similar population). 
  • Equity Mindset: Shows an understanding of and commitment to developing a school that prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
  • Motivation: Has the drive to launch a new school in Indianapolis and is ready to engage with the community, recruit and hire school staff and board members, and work collaboratively with local partners. 

Lead a Great Public School in Indianapolis

The School Fellowship prepares leaders to launch a school that has an academic vision of excellence for all students; attracts and retains high-quality, diverse talent; and commits to equitably serving their school community. The Mind Trust is seeking candidates who are interested in:

  • launching a new campus for an existing local charter school network or
  • developing a new public charter school model.

World-Class Supports to Hone Your Leadership Skills

School Fellows are paid one or two full years of a competitive salary with healthcare and benefits. Additionally, Fellows access a wide variety of supports, including:

  • Personalized coaching and support from a network of educational and executive leaders;
  • Collaboration with a cohort of education leaders with similar goals and diverse backgrounds;
  • Opportunities to travel and engage with leaders at some of the nation’s most innovative schools;
  • Access to expertise and feedback on the school development, charter approval, launch, and local community engagement processes; and
  • Opportunities for ongoing support once the school is launched

Learn more about the existing schools supported by The Mind Trust.

Great Schools for Every Student

School Fellowship alumni
Meet the alumni
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more
Schools Launched in Indianapolis
Learn more

Applications for the School Launch Fellowship are currently closed. Interested in learning more? Sign up for our e-newsletter to be notified when applications open.

School Fellows in the News

Francisco Valdiosera, Cohort 8: New Indy school inspired by Latino and immigrant experience opens next year via WTHR Channel 13

Ma’at Lands, Cohort 6: ‘Overlooked for far too long’: Eastside church partners with The Mind Trust to launch new middle school via Chalkbeat

Tommy Reddicks, Cohort 4: This Indianapolis charter school is outperforming schools in wealthy suburbs. Here’s how., via IndyStar

Kim Neal, Cohort 6: Believe Circle City charter school students study Hoosier women on tour via WISH TV

Kim Neal, Cohort 6 and David Spencer, Cohort 5: ‘No One is Invisible:’ Leadership Lessons and Advice from School Leaders via TeachForAmerica.org

Shatoya Ward, Cohort 4 and Darius Sawyers, Cohort 5: VIDEO – New Life for P.R. Mallory & Co. Building via Inside Indiana Business

Mariama Shaheed, Cohort 1: Quality School Options: Empowering school leaders to turn vision into reality via The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation