New School Year Begins with Changes at 21st Century Charter High School

Students wearing black and red polo shirts carried clear book bags as they entered the 21st Century Charter High School on Thursday morning, accompanied by rap music welcoming them back. Upon arrival, they approached metal detectors where staff prepared plastic bags to hold their cell phones, headphones, and other wireless devices. Students marked sticky notes with their names to place them in the bags.

As the school year began, Indiana lawmakers had enforced a statewide ban on wireless devices during school hours. However, the 21st Century Charter High School in Gary had already implemented a similar rule for two years. Instead of first-hour teachers collecting phones, school staff now collects devices at the entrance to ease the process.

Many students preferred leaving their phones at home, like freshman Jamirah Johnson, who expressed indifference to the rule. Parents, such as Jasmine Ware, supported this policy. Her son, Amir Robinson, a freshman student, attends the school to pursue post-high school credentials. The school is renowned for enabling students to earn associate and even bachelor degrees by the time they graduate.

Parent Monae Velez felt mixed emotions as she brought her twin boys and godson to school for their first day. Despite her dislike for the late July start, she appreciated the school’s diverse program offerings, including trades classes. “We used to go back after Labor Day,” she said, outlining her grievance. Yet, her excitement for her children’s education prevailed.

The school, led by Principal Othiniel Mahone and Peter Morikis, the district’s executive director, adopted a new schedule to mitigate learning loss. Students can benefit from a balanced calendar, with two-week breaks in October, December, and March. Mahone expressed confidence in maintaining student engagement and energy levels with these breaks.

With a freshman class of around 140, 21st Century Charter has seen its largest enrollment in the last four years. K-12 enrollment is also expected to rise by approximately 20%, with last year’s enrollment at about 1,180 students. Gary boasts eight charter schools, more than any other district in Indiana, with over half the city’s school-age children attending them.

The charter school’s new calendar includes enrichment and remediation opportunities during breaks. These initiatives aim to help students catch up or advance academically, offering flexibility for those who choose to stay home instead. Both Mahone and Morikis have received positive feedback from parents and students alike.

Indiana’s new point-based accountability system for tracking school and student performance has received praise from the school’s leadership. It encourages career pathways and credits courses, allowing each student to contribute to their success beyond standard test scores.

Reporter Carole Carlson contributed this report for the Post-Tribune.