Christel House Academy, Inc. (CHA) is a network of Indianapolis public charter schools with a mission to break the chains of chronic poverty and help students of all ages reimagine their futures by eliminating real and perceived barriers. Our goal is simple: ensure all CHA graduates achieve self-sufficiency and permanently escape poverty.
What’s all the fuss about?
 Rather than putting a band-aid on poverty, CHA goes to the heart of the matter, meeting students where they are, helping them erase negative thinking about themselves, and equipping them with the skills required for long-term success in the 21^st Century.
Our students and graduates come from families facing great challenges including: unemployment, underemployment, substance abuse, incarceration, absence of parents, and lack of positive role models. BUT, they don’t let circumstances stop them.

•  “It is important to me that our teachers convey this message to our students: that we love them, that we believe in them, and that we expect that they are going to be successful.” —Carey Dahncke, Executive Director/Chief Academic Officer, Christel House Academy Network of Schools

• “Being a Christel House Academy student means everything to me. The teachers help me understand things that are hard for me, which I’m thankful for. It is a place where I learn and have fun trying new things.”

• “I really love Christel House Academy because if I’m feeling low, my friends and teachers always make me happy.”

By the numbers.
Christel House Academy South

• Opened in August 2002 on Indianapolis’ Near Southside
• Diverse student population of more than 600 students in grades K–12
• 90%+ of students receive free and reduced school lunches
• 33% of students speak English as a Second Language
• 18% of students receive special education services
• 100% of the first graduating class (2014) had letters of admission to four-year colleges or universities
• Several graduates (all first generation college students) earned all As and Bs during the fall 2014 semester!

Christel House Academy West

• Opened in August 2014 on Indianapolis’ Near Westside
• Diverse student population of more than 120 students in grades K-2 (growing one grade level per year)
• Nearly 100% of students receive free and reduced school lunches
• 33% of students speak English as a Second Language

Christel House DORS South

• Opened in August 2012 at Christel House Academy South’s campus
• Serves roughly 200 adult learners age 18+ seeking to earn a high school diploma
• Dual credit offered in partnership with Ivy Tech Community College and Gateway to College National Network
• 50% of students are English Language Learners (primarily Burmese refugees)
• Most students enter the program with less than an 8^th grade education
• DORS has graduated 17 students since opening
• “I did this (returning to school) to be a good example for my children.” DORS graduate

Learn more about the positive impact Christel House Academy is making in Indianapolis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXs08s7dqYs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlDpeS4Rukw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YVuqcnxWmg
Visit us at www.chacademy.org.
Donate at www.christelhouse.org/donate
100% of every donation supports students and programs!