BELIEVE Schools
# BELIEVE Schools

BELIEVE Schools, Inc. is the governing organization that operates BELIEVE Circle City High School in Indianapolis and BELIEVE St. Louis Academy (opening in Fall 2024).

BELIEVE Circle City is an early college and career preparatory high school based in the Crown Hill neighborhood of Indianapolis.

## Background

Before taking on the role as BELIEVE's founder and executive director, Mrs. Kimberly Neal-Brannum, born and raised in St. Louis received a Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master of Education from Columbia University. She is also a graduate of Relay Graduate School of Education’s National Principal Supervisors Academy Fellowship. In 2002, Neal-Brannum joined Teach For America and later founded her first school, Muchin College Prep in the Chicago Loop. She also served as the schools Principal until 2015. Not soon after, she partnered with The Mind Trust, a non-profit organization based in Indianapolis. She then began designing what is now BELIEVE Circle City High School (the governing organization was established in 2018 and the first campus opened in August 2020). Neal-Brannum stated, "It was disheartening for me to recognize the flaws in the educational reform movement and the role that I had played in the inequity of how we educate black and brown kids".

Just recently, BELIEVE Schools was approved to expand into IPS district, Pike Township. Though they are having no affiliation with the school district, many people living in the district were against the expansion due to funding and tax concerns, but, on November 15, 2022, the expansion application was approved by the Indiana Charter School board with a vote of 5-0.

## Expansion & Initiatives

In its relatively short history since its founding in August 2020, BELIEVE Schools, Inc. has achieved notable milestones and garnered recognition for their innovative approach to education.

### Early College and Career Program Success

BELIEVE Schools, Inc. gained prominence for its highly regarded Early College and Career program, which enables students to earn their high school diploma along with an associate' degree or an industry-based certification. Recently, three founding juniors at BELIEVE celebrated their graduation with associate degrees (before graduating high school) from Ivy Tech Community College, one of the partner colleges of BELIEVE Schools, Inc., along with Marian University.

### Expansion Proposal and Approval in Pike District

In August 2022, BELIEVE Schools, Inc. submitted a compelling proposal for the expansion of their educational organization, including plans to establish BELIEVE Pike Academy, a secondary campus to their main campus. Concurrently, Purdue Polytechnic Schools, operating Purdue Polytechnic High School, also sought to expand within the same district. During the proceedings, Mrs. Neal-Brannum expressed her openness to potential locations and her emphasized the significance of locating the new BELIEVE campus on the far west side of Indianapolis, considering the substantial student population enrolled in BELIEVE Schools that resides in that area.

On November 15, 2022, the Indiana Charter School Board unanimously approved BELIEVE Schools' expansion with vote of 5-0. In contrast, Purdue Polytechnic Schools' application was denied following a tiebreaker vote.

### Grant for Campus Improvement

In early 2023, BELIEVE Schools received a significant grant of $2.6 million. The grant has been instrumental in acquiring and improving their main campus, with renovations currently underway as of July 2023. These improvements will enhance the learning environment and further support the educational goals of BELIEVE Schools.

### Expansion into St. Louis Area

In early 2023, BELIEVE Schools submitted an application to expand their schools into the St. Louis area. The school's anticipated opening date is August 2024, coinciding with the potential scheduled opening of their Pike Campus. To gather public input, a public hearing is scheduled for July 17, 2023, in St. Louis, where the community can express their opinions regarding the new school. BELIEVE Schools has already conducted two successful early college and career summer programs in the St. Louis area, aiming to familiarize students and families with the BELIEVE model.

## BELIEVE's Dual Enrollment Program & Early College and Career Opportunities

As BELIEVE Schools in known for their early college and career program, allowing for students to graduate from high school with their diploma along with either an associate degree or an Industry certification. Just recently, three of their "founding" juniors, in other words, some of the first students to enroll in BELIEVE Schools, graduated with their associate degree before the end of their junior year.

### What is Dual enrollment exactly?

Dual enrollment programs offer students the valuable opportunity to simultaneously enroll in a college or university that has established a partnership with their high school. In the case of BELIEVE Circle City, this educational institution has formed partnerships with Ivy Tech Community College, Indianapolis, and Marian University, Indianapolis. While not all students in a typical high school can take advantage of dual enrollment courses, there are specific requirements that must be met. These requirements often include maintaining a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA), typically set at a level above 3.0. Additionally, most students are required to be in their junior or senior year to participate in these programs. In terms of cost, students may be expected o pay a fee ranging from $0 to $400.

However, at BELIEVE Schools, an exceptional opportunity awaits every student, as they are all eligible to partake in dual enrollment courses and have the chance to graduate from high school with an associate degree.

Remarkably, many students can begin this journey as early as their freshman year. The most striking aspect of this program is that it incurs no financial burden for students and their families. By eliminating this financial burden, BELIEVE Schools ensures that all students have equal access to the benefits of dual enrollment, allowing them to excel academically and take a significant step towards success.

## Student Engagement

### Village Model

At BELIEVE Schools, instead of a traditional homeroom, they have implemented a unique concept called "Village". The school embraces the belief that "It takes a village to raise a child" and consider themselves an integral part of that support system. The aim of BELIEVE is to create an environment where students feel a sense of belonging, as they spend the majority of their time within the school's campus.

The Village system consists of small groups or classes, called Village(s), comprising about 16 students each. These Villages are organized based on gender, as well as individual gender identities. From the very first day of Freshman year, students are grouped together with their Village peers, forming a close-knit community that remains intact throughout their high school journey. Additionally, each Village is assigned a Village leader who is a active Teacher at BELIEVE. The Village Leader assumes a role similar to that of an advisor, providing to guidance and support to the villagers under their care.

At BELIEVE, Villages have an important responsibility of maintaining regular communication with the parent or guardians of their Villagers. This proactive approach ensures that everyone remains informed and involved in the students' academic process and well-being. Village leaders act as a primary point of contact between the school and parents, fostering a strong partnership. To facilitate effective communication, BELIEVE utilizes various channels, including Remind, Social media platforms, Email, and other appropriate means.

Furthermore, Village Leaders are dedicated to monitoring the academic health of each student within their Village. They actively identify any areas where additional support may be required and provide the necessary assistance. This comprehensive approach ensures that every student receives the care and support they need to thrive academically and personally at BELIEVE Schools.

### Level-up System

At BELIEVE Schools, an engaging level-up system is in place to recognize and reward students' academic achievements. Every 5 academic weeks, students have the opportunity to "level-up" to another scholar status level by meeting specific academic requirements. As students' progress through the levels, they unlock various privileges and benefits within the campus community. The scholar status at BELIEVE Schools follow a chronological, determined by the academic requirements for each level.

### Freedom Friday's

At BELIEVE Schools, Fridays present a stark contrast to a typical high school experience. On these days, students participate in a series of activities that take them beyond the confines of the classroom, focusing on specifically on Early College and Career exploration and knowledge.

**A Block (Arts Block)**

Each Freedom Friday begins with every student attending an Elective course in which they choose in the start of each Semester. They vary based on each grade level and grade level requirements.

**B Block (BELIEVE Block)**

After Arts block, students make their way to Village to engage in Early College and Career development lessons and discussion's. On certain occasions, Educators or individuals in a certain work field within the Indianapolis community may come in to talk to students about what their organization offers.

**C Block (College and Career Block)**

College and Career block consists of hands-on exploration of both subjects. This can vary from panelists to fieldtrips that include Job shadowing, College Visits, to activities within each Village.

## BELIEVE's Leadership Team

Founder / Executive Director: Mrs. Kimberly Neal-Brannum, M.Ed., M.S.W

Principal: Mrs. Angel Jackson-Anderson (main campus)

Assistant Principal: Ms. Jawn Manning (main campus)

Director of Growth and Strategy: Ms. Teagan Vonderheit

Chief Academic Officer: Ms. Kaitlyn Reimer

Board Co-Chairs: Dr. Latonya Turner, Ms. Haley Harshman

