Girls IN STEM Academy receives zoning approval for Michigan Road building

INDIANAPOLIS — Girls IN STEM Academy, a public charter school opening in 2024, gained approval from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission to rezone the building it purchased in Washington Township after a hearing on Wednesday, March 20.

The appeal hearing for rezoning of the former church campus on Michigan Road was filled with supporters for Girls IN STEM Academy, which is authorized by Education One at Trine University. Paramount Schools of Excellence purchased the 10-acre building last fall.

In order for the school to open, the site required approval to be rezoned from religious to educational use. After Wednesday’s meeting, the commission voted to approve the request for rezoning.

Girls IN STEM Academy, operated by Paramount Schools of Excellence, is a K-12 all-girls public charter school opening in the Fall 2024 in Indianapolis. In partnership with Every Girl Can STEM,  Purdue Polytechnic High School and The Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, Girls IN Stem Academy will be able to provide an innovative, collaborative, STEM-focused education.

The goal of Girls IN STEM Academy is to close gender and racial achievement gaps that exist in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through a curriculum designed by Paramount Schools of Excellence.

Chrystal Westerhaus, principal of Girls IN STEM Academy, shared at the hearing that in Washington Township, test scores are far lower for economically disadvantaged and Black students compared to their white classmates. At Paramount local schools, scores are higher for similar students.

Westerhaus shared, “Our new school helps address this problem at the source, it allows them to thrive and excel in a proven supportive environment that provides a sense of belonging and purpose.”

Paramount Schools of Excellence utilizes an integrated research-based curriculum within their schools to increase every students’ potential against measurable standards through an environment of excitement, inclusion and community collaboration. Paramount has been recognized as one of the top 200 Indiana schools providing Promising Practices for accessibility in STEM Education.

The crowd supporting Girls IN STEM Academy included members from the Education One team, the Mind Trust, Girls Scouts of Central Indiana, the Indiana Charter School Board, Councilor LeRoy Robinson and individuals from the community. Speakers on behalf of Girls IN STEM Academy shared academic data, plans on addressing potential traffic concerns, and how their school model will positively impact disadvantaged girls  in the community.

The commission members voted 5-1 to approve the rezoning request.

The next step in the process is for the City-County Council to meet and vote on the final approval.  This could happen as soon as April 1.

In addition to Girls IN STEM Academy, Education One authorizes Paramount South Bend and Paramount Online Academy who are both operated by Paramount Schools of Excellence.

To learn more about Education One and Girls IN STEM Academy visit education1.org