MySchoolOptions is the outreach & advocacy arm of the Institute for Quality Education
Types of Schools in Indiana
Indiana offers families a wide range of educational opportunities. From traditional public schools to charter schools, private schools, virtual learning, and homeschooling, families can choose the learning environment that best fits their child’s needs, interests, and goals.
Traditional Public Schools
Traditional public schools are free to attend and open to all students. Many families exercise school choice by moving to a community to attend a particular public school.
Some public school corporations offer families choices through magnet schools or career and technical education. Most public-school districts also allow students to transfer to another school within their district or accept students from different school districts.
Public Charter Schools
Charter schools are public schools. They are tuition-free and open to all students, regardless of where they live.
Charter schools have more flexibility in their curriculum and operations than traditional public schools. In exchange, charters have high accountability standards and may lose their ability to operate if they are low performing.
There are more than 120 charter schools throughout Indiana serving approximately 51,000 students.
Private Schools
Private schools are created and operated by private groups and often focus on a set of core values or beliefs. Many private schools are faith-based or affiliated with a particular church or religion.
Private schools use selective admissions processes and charge tuition to attend. A student must apply for admission and pay to attend a private school.
Indiana offers many families financial assistance for tuition through Choice Scholarships (vouchers), tax credit scholarships, and Education Scholarship Accounts (ESAs).
Virtual Schools
Virtual schools may be public or private. Public virtual schools are a free option for Indiana families.
Families who choose a private virtual school are eligible for many of the same financial assistance opportunities available to brick-and-mortar private school students.
Many school districts also operate online schools as an option. These virtual schools are accredited and available to students in grades K–12.
Homeschool
Parents can choose to educate their children at home. Homeschooling is parent-directed and parent-funded.
Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, though each state has its own statutes and regulations governing the practice.
Families who homeschool their children may be eligible for a tax deduction. For more information on homeschooling in Indiana, families can visit the Indiana Association of Home Educators.