Indiana Superintendent Launches Statewide Microschool Network to Compete with School Choice
George Philhower, Superintendent of Eastern Hancock, has launched a statewide microschool network in Indiana to address shrinking enrollment and increased competition from private, charter, and virtual schools. Eastern Hancock, a 1,200-student district, secured a charter under Indiana's charter school law to establish the Indiana Microschool Collaborative. This initiative allows the district to partner with various local organizations, opening schools in diverse locations such as a university campus and a small-town church. The collaborative currently oversees five unique microschools, each designed to offer personalized learning experiences. Philhower emphasizes that this strategy aims to provide every child with a school environment tailored to their individual needs, moving beyond traditional one-size-fits-all education models. The network operates as a separate local education agency (LEA) with its own board, allowing it to expand beyond Hancock County and offer specialized educational themes like perf...
