CIESC

What CIESC does

CIESC (Central Indiana Educational Service Center) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational service organization founded on May 2, 1990, and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The organization serves 35 member public school districts representing more than 230,000 students (approximately one in every five public school students in Indiana), and operates a portfolio of interconnected programs spanning cooperative purchasing, online education, professional development, driver education, media production, grant administration, and administrative coaching. CIESC was authorized by Indiana legislative action in 1976 and is regulated through a formal partnership with the Indiana Department of Education, which positions the organization as a quasi-public intermediary for K-12 procurement, compliance, and instructional services across the state.

The core technology stack includes Indiana Online, the largest non-profit online course provider in Indiana and the first program nationally accredited by AccredVED in May 2024; Keep Indiana Learning, a professional development platform serving 55,424 unique visitors annually; EntryPoint SRM, an AI-powered student data platform integrating with PowerSchool to automate administrative workflows and identify at-risk students; and a Cooperative Programs procurement platform that has processed more than $1 billion in cumulative bus sales and $94 million in purchases during the 21-22 school year alone. CIESC also operates DriverEd Safety (serving approximately 4,500 students per year with 50 vehicles), Media Services (video production and compliance training), Administrative Supports (executive coaching, 900+ hours delivered to 24 districts), and a Major Projects & Grants department established in 2024.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid of membership fees from school districts, fee-for-service arrangements with non-members (public, private, and charter schools), administrative fees on cooperative purchasing and grant management (including the nearly $4.9M GEER Fund, nearly $4M IDOE 3E Grant, and $2.6M Accelerated Learning Grant), vendor partnerships with 50+ statewide providers, and original state appropriations. The organization is governed by a board of district representatives and led by Executive Director Dr. Andrew Melin (appointed December 2019), a former IDOE Chief Innovation Officer and three-district superintendent. CIESC has approximately 100 full-time staff across all departments, with no parent company, no equity investors, and no public revenue disclosure.

Name

CIESC

Legal name

Central Indiana Educational Service Center

Website

https://ciesc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

CIESC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational service center in Indianapolis serving 35 Indiana public school districts and 230,000+ students with cooperative purchasing, online courses, professional development, AI-powered student data tools, and grant administration.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Online/Distance Education Quality & Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAK)

Keywords

• Educational services
• Cooperative purchasing
• Online education courses
• Professional development
• Driver education

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Public school districts pay membership fees to access CIESC services. Original membership fee was $2.50/student (ADM rate). Currently serves 35 member districts with highest membership in history.
2. Fee for Service Programs: CIESC has introduced fee for service opportunities that benefit public, private, and charter schools beyond the member district base. Services are provided at-cost or with fees for non-members.
3. Cooperative Purchasing: Competitive procurement contracts providing savings to member districts. Revenue generated through vendor partnerships and administrative fees. Reached $1 billion in bus sales. Cooperative Programs provides over $94 million in purchases representing 804 buses.
4. State Funding: Original state allocation was $198,500 in 1990. Indiana Education Service Centers authorized in 1976 by legislative action. Ongoing state funding supports joint services for Indiana K-12 schools.
5. Grant Administration: CIESC administers state-level grants including GEER Fund ($4.8 million), IDOE 3E Grant (nearly $4 million), Accelerated Learning Grant ($2.6 million), and other IDOE-supported initiatives. Partners with CELL at University of Indianapolis for fiscal management.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

CIESC (Central Indiana Educational Service Center) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that operates a membership-based service platform for PK-12 public school districts in Indiana, delivering cooperative purchasing programs, online K-12 courses through Indiana Online, professional development via Keep Indiana Learning, driver education, media and compliance training, administrative coaching, technology services, and grant administration. The organization combines digital platforms with on-site professional services and bulk-procurement contracts to deliver cost savings, academic options, and operational support to its member districts and their students.

Product overview

CIESC (Central Indiana Educational Service Center) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational service organization that provides a comprehensive portfolio of interconnected programs and services to PK-12 schools across Indiana. The organization operates as a platform-plus-services model, combining technology-enabled platforms (Indiana Online, Keep Indiana Learning, EntryPoint SRM) with professional service offerings (Administrative Supports, Strategic Planning, Media Services, Cooperative Programs). Indiana Online provides online education courses while Keep Indiana Learning delivers professional development; EntryPoint SRM is an AI-powered administrative workflow tool. Additional services span Driver Education, technology & innovation, 21st Century programs, and major projects & grants management. The organization serves 35+ member school districts representing over 230,000 students through cooperative purchasing contracts and direct service delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Indiana Online: The largest non-profit online course provider in Indiana, offering full-time, year-round, and summer courses online.
• Keep Indiana Learning
• DriverEd Safety
• Cooperative Programs
• Media Services
• Digitarium

Products and services

• Indiana Online The largest non-profit online course provider in Indiana, offering full-time, year-round, supplemental, and summer online courses for PK-12 students with licensed Indiana teachers. Includes FlexED and English Learner support programs; serves 278 schools with 165 courses.
• Keep Indiana Learning Web-based professional development and digital learning platform providing Indiana educators with on-demand events, resources, expert networks, and communities of practice (Counselor Connect, STEM Synergy). Includes the INLearning Partnership with IDOE and Indiana Learning Lab.

Quantifiable outcome

• Member districts saved nearly $700,000 in first year (1991) of operations
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Northern Indiana Educational Service Center (NIESC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 April 2026Co-leading the Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC) Indiana Alliance with CIESC. Partnership addresses growing complexity of student data privacy in PK-12 system through centralized vendor database and standardized Data Privacy Agreement (DPA). All nine Indiana ESCs participate.
• All Nine Indiana Educational Service CentersflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 April 2026Statewide consortium providing member schools with free access to Student Data Privacy Consortium resources. Jointly developing standardized Data Privacy Agreement aligned with CoSN Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal program. Provides discounted rates for non-members.
• EntryPoint SRMcoreTechnology or Integration · 24 April 2026AI-powered student data platform integrated with existing student information systems (PowerSchool). Streamlines administrative workflows, provides instant data access, automates tasks. Members receive 10%+ discount.
• MetrasenscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 April 2024Partnership allows CIESC member schools and 270 other ESC member districts to purchase Metrasens Ultra weapons detection systems through CIESC Cooperative Contracts. Metrasens provides cutting-edge technology for weapons and vape detection in educational settings using magnetic detection technology.
• Ford Next Generation LearningflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 October 2022Philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company Fund providing nationally-recognized expertise for 3E Grant transformational college and career readiness program. Works with seven Indiana districts over two years to develop portrait of graduate and career pathway master plans aligned with talent needs.
• Modern Classrooms ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 October 2022Nonprofit organization providing instructional training focused on blended learning, self-paced structure, and mastery-based grading. CIESC partnering with multiple ESCs to train 1,500 Indiana teachers through Accelerated Learning Grant.
• Dr. Kimberly FifercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 14 October 2022Project lead for 3E Grant, former assistant superintendent at Clark-Pleasant with significant experience from Greater Clark County Schools. Leading transformational college and career readiness process with seven districts.
• Morgan MasoncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 14 October 2022CIESC Training Support Specialist providing direct coaching support in literacy and STEM to nine elementary schools in MSD of Warren Township as part of Indiana Literacy Cadre and Indiana STEM Cadre.
• STOPit SolutionscoreTechnology or Integration · 19 May 2022Comprehensive safety and wellness solutions partnership delivering Anonymous Reporting Solution (ARS), Enhanced Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), and Safety & Wellness Training Curriculum. Reaches over 80,000 students across Indiana with 24/7 safety, mental health, and crisis support capabilities.
• Region 8 Educational Service CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2022Partnership for Accelerated Learning Grant with Northern Indiana ESC and Northwest Indiana ESC. Collaborating to train 1,500 Indiana teachers in Modern Classrooms Project instructional approach.
• Northwest Indiana Educational Service Center (NWIESC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2022Partnership for Accelerated Learning Grant with Region 8 and Northern Indiana ESC. Collaborating to train 1,500 Indiana teachers in Modern Classrooms Project instructional approach.
• Indiana School Counselor AssociationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 February 2022Partnership supporting Counselor Connect community of practice for student service professionals. Collaborates on professional development and networking opportunities.
• Indiana School Social Work AssociationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 February 2022Partnership supporting Counselor Connect community of practice. Collaborates on professional development and networking opportunities for student service professionals.
• Indiana Department of Education (IDOE)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 September 2021INLearning Partnership to provide comprehensive professional learning resources for Indiana educators. IDOE, Indiana Learning Lab, and Keep Indiana Learning collaborate on curated resources supporting IDOE goals and student learning outcomes.
• Indiana Learning LabcoreTechnology or Integration · 14 September 2021Personalized microlearning platform powered by Five Star Technology Solutions, funded by IDOE. Provides free resources including live chat, community, lesson ideas, and workshops supporting teachers and administrators across Indiana.
• Five Star Technology SolutionscoreTechnology or Integration · 14 September 2021Developer and operator of Indiana Learning Lab platform providing personalized microlearning, live chat support, weekly workshops, and community forums for Indiana educators.
• Indiana Virtual AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2021Merged with Indiana Online in July 2021, making Indiana Online the largest non-profit provider of online services in the state. Expanded full-time virtual options for grades 5-12.
• Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at University of IndianapolisflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 September 2020Awarded nearly $4.9 million GEER Fund grant together to support device availability, internet connectivity, and educator development across 30 Hoosier school districts. CELL provides fiscal management and technology support. Ongoing partnership for multiple grant programs.
• Koru Strategy GroupcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 14 April 2020Consulting group incubated by Harvard Innovation Labs, founded by Harvard Graduate School of Education alumni. Assisted in developing Counselor Connect content including nationally-recognized school counselor Danielle Duarte.
• XellocoreTechnology or IntegrationAll-in-one college and career readiness platform helping students discover themselves and build pathways to successful futures. Elevates CCR programming through centralizing course planning, college applications, work-based learning coordination, and compliance reporting.
• Workforce ChaplainsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFriendship model of compassionate care through diverse team of chaplains serving people of all beliefs. Supports whole person care, strengthens workplace culture, improves retention, and connects individuals to community resources.
• Workforce Care PartnersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCare partner approach leading with goal of building care relationships. Serves diverse workforces with professionalism, compassion, and cultural awareness. Optional spiritual support available.
• ClassLinkcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology integration partner providing single sign-on and directory services. Member discounts available through CIESC partnership.
• ART GURU SketchbooksminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCustomized sketchbook provider for art classrooms. Quality 70 lb vellum books with customizable sizes, rubrics, and formats. Cost-effective and counts as textbook without hitting consumable budget.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Northern Indiana Educational Service Center (NIESC): One of the nine Indiana Educational Service Centers; fellow ESC organization providing cooperative purchasing, professional development, and grant support to member districts. Co-leads the SDPC Indiana Alliance with CIESC, making it the most directly comparable peer by mandate, geography, and service mix.
• Region 8 Educational Service Center: A peer Indiana ESC that partners with CIESC on the Accelerated Learning Grant and serves Indiana K-12 districts with broadly similar cooperative purchasing, professional development, and grants administration services.
• Northwest Indiana Educational Service Center (NWIESC): Another Indiana ESC collaborator on the Accelerated Learning Grant; provides the same cooperative purchasing, PD, and support services to its member districts, making it a directly comparable peer in scale and scope.

Broad incumbents

• Educational Services Commission of New Jersey (ESCNJ): New Jersey's largest Educational Services Commission, offering cooperative purchasing, professional development, special education, and transportation services to member districts. Same ESC/cooperative model as CIESC but at much larger scale and outside Indiana — comparable mission and service architecture.
• Battelle for Kids: Non-profit that partners with school systems on leadership development, portrait of a graduate, and strategic planning services — directly comparable to CIESC's Administrative Supports, Strategic Planning, and 3E Grant work.
• Imagine Learning (formerly Edgenuity): National provider of online K-12 courses, supplemental instruction, and AI-driven learning tools. Direct competitor to Indiana Online in the PK-12 online course market, with much larger catalog and scale.
• PowerSchool: The dominant student information system (SIS) vendor in K-12. EntryPoint SRM is explicitly built to integrate with PowerSchool, making PowerSchool both a critical infrastructure partner and the principal competitive anchor for SIS-adjacent analytics tools CIESC now sells.
• Curriculum Associates (iReady): Large K-12 instructional and assessment company serving many of the same Indiana districts CIESC serves. Comparable in being a private/non-profit alike provider of tools for educators, though for-profit and far larger in revenue and product scope.

Emerging players

• SchoolStatus: K-12 communication, attendance, and data analytics platform that helps administrators streamline workflows similar to EntryPoint SRM. Closest direct product competitor to EntryPoint in the AI-for-school-admins category.

Others

• EdSurge / EdTech Evidence Exchange: EdTech ecosystem media and research organization that informs district purchasing decisions. Adjacent rather than directly competitive — relevant because CIESC's product positioning (EntryPoint, SDPC) plays in the same conversation as EdSurge's coverage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ciesctweets
• Facebookfacebook.com/CentralIndianaEducationalServiceCenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/central-indiana-educational

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CIESC