The United Schools of Indianapolis (USI) is a tuition-free, public, charter school system authorized by the Indianapolis Mayor’s Office of Education Innovation. Located in two of Indianapolis’ most underserved communities, USI’s current enrollment includes just over 1,000 students, in kindergarten through 8th grade, at three schools on two campuses: Avondale Meadows Academy and Avondale Meadows Middle School on the near east side (38th and Meadows Drive), and Vision Academy @ Riverside on the near west side (16th and Riverside Drive).
USI serves a community desperate for better schools, safer neighborhoods, and a brighter future. More than 98% of the families at USI represent a minority group, and more than 82% of the students are eligible for free/reduced lunch. Since 2006, USI has provided almost 2,000 children with a rigorous, college-preparatory education in their elementary years. USI makes huge strides, not only in closing the achievement gap, but also in helping transform Indianapolis neighborhoods that have struggled for decades with crime, poverty, and underfunded, poorly performing schools.
Over time, and through a steadfast commitment to excellence, our team has built an academic program that effectively combines college-preparatory rigor within a strong, positive school culture that maintains especially strong ties to its families. We understand deeply that our capacity to make a difference for our children depends significantly on our capacity to build strong, lasting partnerships with their families and the community.
Our schools cultivate a culture where each and every student can reach their full potential in a positive and structured environment. We are a supportive community of teachers, families, and administrators who do our very best to instill a love of learning in our scholars that will lead to lifelong success. As charter schools, we have the autonomy to determine the best approach for each scholar, and our model has proven successful for more than a decade.
