Indianapolis

Indianapolis Our Community

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Invested in young leadership and embarked on an economic upswing, Indianapolis is brimming with an emerging arts, culture, and food scene and fostering a relational community with something for everyone.

A map of the United States with a dot over Indianapolis, IN.
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Indianapolis is in the midst of an exciting citywide revitalization throughout its numerous entertainment venues, festivals, parks, restaurants, and sporting arenas. Downtown Indianapolis is home to Canal Walk, with its beautiful scenery and close proximity to some of the city’s most popular cultural institutions. Art enthusiasts will appreciate Massachusetts Avenue, also known as “Indy’s answer to SoHo,” which has a wide array of art galleries, theaters, restaurants, and nightlife. Music lovers will enjoy spots like the Slippery Noodle Inn, considered one of the city’s top live music venues, while sports fans can immerse themselves in the Colts, the Pacers, and the Indy 500.

Corps members teach in more than 50 different public district, innovation, and charter schools throughout the city. Whether teaching across the hall or participating in the numerous social and advocacy events Indy has to offer, the close-knit Teach For America community is thriving on collaboration and connection here in the city.

42%

Marion County residents with post-secondary credentials

82%

Overall graduation rate in Indianapolis Public Schools

“I really appreciated seeing the partnerships between charter and public schools, with the IPS school board, and the support of the Mayor’s Office...Indy has created an ecosystem where we can communicate down the street to other charters serving the same community. I appreciate the community effort in educating kids.”

Marie Dandie

Co-Founder & Principal, pilotED school

Chicago Corps Member 2013

Indianapolis at a Glance

Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis Canal Walk
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Indianapolis - Massachusetts Avenue
Indianapolis - Brown County State Park

Community members and visitors alike gather each year for the Indy 500, the largest single-day sporting event in the world. It brings together more than 300,000 attendees to cheer on new and renowned automobile racers and participate in various related festivals and events.

photo by: Fred Ortlip via Flickr Creative Commons

Corps members and friends will appreciate the Canal Walk, a gorgeous three-mile trail featuring boat rides, walking, biking, shops and museums, and scenic views of the city.

photo by: Daniel Schwen via Wikipedia Commons

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is a nearly 500,000 square foot experience designed to educate and inspire both children and adults. It is the largest children's museum in the world, with more than 130,000 artifacts across numerous exhibits and events. Pictured is a magnificent Dale Chihuly blown glass sculpture, a central feature of the museum.

photo by: Anthony via Flickr Creative Commons

A favorite spot for corps members is Massachusetts Avenue, featuring a wide array of restaurants, shopping options, and entertainment.

photo by: Jordan Ewbank via Flickr Creative Commons

Brown County State Park is a perfect getaway from the city, only an hour south of Indianapolis. Its breathtaking views, especially during the fall, include hiking and biking trails as well as two lakes against a backdrop of tree-lined hills.

photo by: Jerry via Flickr Creative Commons

Neighborhood Highlights

  • The Mind Trust

    Since its founding in 2006, The Mind Trust has played an instrumental role in leading the regional and national conversation on education innovation. The nonprofit organization works closely with Teach For America and other partners to recruit and develop high-quality school leaders and school models to expand access for students to attend excellent schools. The Mind Trust was also critical in bringing TFA to Indianapolis, and one-third of its current staff are Teach For America alums including its CEO, Brandon Brown.

  • Indianapolis Public Schools

    With a student population of 29,000 (as of 2016-17), Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) is committed to offering a diverse array of opportunities and resources within and across its schools. The district is nationally known for its innovation network schools, through which they partner with charter schools to improve student achievement. That's just one example of the numerous partnerships IPS fosters across the community in an effort to meet the needs of every student.

  • The Lilly Endowment

    The Lilly Endowment is a private philanthropic foundation created in 1937. An instrumental player in bringing Teach For America to Indianapolis, the foundation continues to works closely with TFA to support the recruitment of a diverse pipeline of teachers for Indianapolis students.

Our Regional Partners

We value our partnerships with local schools, districts, universities, businesses, and other organizations. Our partners play a critical role in creating opportunities for children in our communities.