Families choose to send their children to non-public schools because of a myriad of reasons. Some choose faith-based schools for their practicing religion. Others choose independent college preparatory schools so their child can get into an elite post-secondary program. Many, however, choose a non-public school because their district school just wasn’t working for them. That’s […]

This year’s Indiana Non-Public Administrator’s Conference (INPAC) was a record breaking success in more ways than one! We surpassed the number of attendees and sponsors from several years past, and were told my many that this was the best INPAC they’d ever attended. We welcomed about 370 people to the Renaissance North Hotel in Carmel […]

Here at INPEA, we work hard to make sure non-public schools are taken into consideration in the state legislature. But what we’re probably best known for around the state is for our high quality professional development. Every other year, we focus that professional development on non-public school administrators, specifically. This year is no different! We’re […]

When Ernestina Cabral’s son, Alfredo, was old enough to start kindergarten, she enrolled him in their local public school in inner city South Bend, not giving it a second thought. “I didn’t have much money, so it wasn’t like I had any other option than the school down the road,” Cabral said. “But when Alfredo […]

This post originally appeared in The Criterion on March 29, 2019. John Elcesser was a school superintendent in West Virginia on the day that changed everything. He doesn’t recall locked doors in his school facilities prior to April 20, 1999, and he certainly never dreamed of the need for active shooter drills. But the Columbine High […]

“We can accomplish more together than we can apart.” It’s a slogan we use at Indiana Non-Public Education Association (INPEA) and something our executive director, John Elcesser, frequently proclaims. It’s why we were founded and how we’ve been able to help non-public schools come together to advocate for themselves around the state. A small group […]

This originally appeared as a “Letter to the Editor” in the Sunday edition of the Indianapolis Star. St. Roch Catholic School is an INPEA member school. — I am a single mother of three whose children attend St. Roch Catholic School on state vouchers (known as the Indiana Choice Scholarship program). I am troubled by […]

Indiana Non-Public Education Association is excited to announce the hiring of Julian T. Peebles as part-time Director of Advancement. During the last 25 years, Julian has served as president and CEO of two excellent non-public schools, Cathedral High School in Indianapolis (where he graduated and subsequently sent his own kids to school), and Cardinal Spellman […]

The 2018 Indiana Non-Public Educator’s Conference was one for the books! We welcomed 2,000 people (more than we’ve had in years!) to the Indianapolis Convention Center on October 29 and 30 to two AMAZING keynoters (Rick Wormeli and George Couros), a packed schedule, inspiring speakers and engaging vendors. Here are some of the fun moments […]

Our biennial Indiana Non-Public Educators Conference is quickly approaching us this fall! Although most of you are registered already, I’m sure, we’ve put together a list of features and sessions below that we recommend you make a priority at this year’s conference. If you haven’t registered yet, what are you waiting for? Sign up online and […]

Every spring, Bishop Chatard High School hosts its New Play Festival, an event where students can submit plays they have written, around ten minutes long, to be featured along with five or six others chosen for the event. This past spring, Tommy Hartley, a senior at the time, enthusiastically submitted “Four Puzzles”, a play he […]

The following includes John Elcesser’s remarks at the NCEA Convention in April while accepting the Leonard F. DeFiore Parental Choice Advocate Award. If you know anything about school choice, you know its success is not contingent upon just one person or even a handful of people. It’s driven by a movement. I was blessed to […]

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security has opened up the Secured School Safety Grant Program for 2019 grant applications. The Secured School Safety Grant program supports schools by providing matching grants to school corporations, accredited non-public schools, charter schools or a coalition of school corporations and/or charter schools. Secured School Safety Grant funds can be used […]

John Elcesser, executive director of the Indiana Non-Public Education Association, will be recognized with the Leonard F. DeFiore Parental Choice Advocate Award at the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) Convention in April. This award honors a person or organization that has demonstrated outstanding leadership in promoting full and fair parental choice in education. The right […]

The Indy Star came out with an opinion piece on Friday, March 16, from State Superintendent Jennifer McCormick. She shared her thoughts about the need for all schools to adopt state-mandated safety regulations after a stream of horrendous school shootings across the country. We appreciate Dr. McCormick championing school safety for all students in all […]

EdChoice has released the 2018 edition of The ABCs of School Choice.   The authors describe the publication as “a comprehensive, data-rich guide to every private school choice program in America.” Click here to learn more.

  Originally published February 22, 2018 by the Indianapolis Star.  Paige Moore knows what she wants. The 16-year-old Roncalli student wants to go to an Ivy League school after she finishes high school in two years, hence the advanced classes she takes at the private, Catholic college prep high school on Indianapolis’ south side. Like every […]

INPEA students, parents, and teachers were well represented at IQE’s National School Choice Week breakfast in Indianapolis.

“For years now INPEA has been the strongest, most consistent and greatest advocate for students, teachers and families in our state’s non-public schools.   INPEA does what no other organization in the state can do – it not only represents the diversity that exists in our state’s non-public schools; it connects that diversity in a manner […]

What started out as a reading assignment at Lutheran South Unity School ended up inspiring a student-led service project helping the homeless in Fort Wayne. It’s an example of how academics go hand-in-hand with character education and generosity at LSUS, impacting both the students and the broader community. After seventh graders read the book The Watsons […]

Vocal sensation Addison Agen has dazzled audiences nationwide on NBC’s hit show, “The Voice.” On December 11, she performed as one of the Top 8 contestants, singing one solo and one duet. Performance highlights Local news coverage The sixteen-year-old student from Fort Wayne, Indiana, began her meteoric performance career with Concordia Lutheran High School productions […]

INPEA Mission, Vision, Shared Values (PDF download)

In this 2017 report, “authors Drew Catt and Dr. Evan Rhinesmith examine the responses of Indiana school parents from all sectors to a survey—developed by EdChoice and conducted by Hanover Research—that aims to measure what motivates them to choose schools, their children’s schooling experiences, their awareness of school choice options, their satisfaction levels and goals they […]

To download sponsorship opportunities, click here. For sponsorship options and payment please contact Mwila Mejia at [email protected] or 317-713-1530.    

In May 2016, the Brookings Institute published an article by Mark Dynarski called “On negative effects of vouchers.” The article uses various pieces of research to examine how school choice affects students in Louisiana and Indiana. The article’s main premise is,

Originally published February 22, 2016 by The Lutheran Schools Partnership. Tiffany Herman loves creating a place where kids feel safe and supported. It’s this underlying desire that drives Mrs. Herman to make the resource room at Ascension into a supportive environment, where she serves kids of all ability levels. She works at the school partially […]

Indiana Non-Public Administrators’ Conference 2017           To register online for INPAC 2017, go here. Or register by mail with the INPAC 2017 Registration Form form below.           Registration sponsored by Sagamore Institute Scholarships for Education Choice   Pay with Credit Card: Registration Option Full Conference (first two […]

More information about the Choice Scholarship (Voucher) Program can be found on the website of the Indiana Department of Education.