Adelante Schools
Adelante Schools is a non-profit K-8 public charter and IPS Innovation School operating Emma Donnan Elementary & Middle School, serving 450+ scholars from seven southside Indianapolis zip codes with a tuition-free, whole-child education model funded by state per-pupil allocations and Lilly Endowment grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersIndianapolis, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Adelante Schools does
Adelante Schools is a non-profit K-8 public charter school and Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) Innovation School operating under the d/b/a Emma Donnan Elementary & Middle School at 1202 E. Troy Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46203. Founded in 2018, it serves more than 450 scholars from seven southside Indianapolis zip codes, with recruitment and enrollment executed through the Enroll Indy unified application system supplemented by community events, school tours, and family-driven word-of-mouth referrals driven by a 93% family satisfaction rate. The core product is a full K-8 academic program built on nationally recognized curricula (science of reading, Amplify Science, IXL math) paired with whole-child supports including monthly social-emotional learning, the Bears' Den free after-school care program, scratch-made meals through The Commons (partnered with the Indianapolis Colts), athletics, and 12+ after-school clubs.
The operating model is a tuition-free public charter funded primarily by Indiana per-pupil state allocations, supplemented by charitable donations and major restricted grants from Lilly Endowment Inc. totaling $14.6 million across June 2025 ($220,500) and December 2025 ($14.4 million) under the Marion County K-12 Public Schools Initiative. Ancillary paid offerings (yearbooks at $13, branded uniforms, select paid clubs, summer camps) are immaterial to the revenue mix. Technology infrastructure is built on integrated third-party platforms, including PowerSchool for grade and attendance tracking, Schoology as the LMS, IXL for math practice, Amplify Science for science curriculum, Clever for single sign-on, and AfterSchool HQ for activity registration. Support services include McKinney-Vento unhoused support, transportation with ParentView tracking, and partnerships with Adult & Child for telehealth.
The leadership team is led by co-founder Matthew Rooney (CEO since March 2026, succeeding Edward Rangel), with Jordan Habayeb as President & COO, Chrissy Franz as Chief Academic Officer, and Kyle Gavin as Principal (since July 1, 2025). The organization is governed by an independent Board of Directors and holds no parent company, private equity, or institutional investor ownership.
Adelante Schools firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Adelante Schools
- Legal name
- Adelante Schools
- Website
- https://adelanteschools.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Adelante Schools is a non-profit K-8 public charter and IPS Innovation School operating Emma Donnan Elementary & Middle School, serving 450+ scholars from seven southside Indianapolis zip codes with a tuition-free, whole-child education model funded by state per-pupil allocations and Lilly Endowment grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Adelante Schools industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-12 Charter School Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Independent Charter Schools (Single-Site) (EDAJACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB)
Keywords
Where Adelante Schools is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Indianapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Adelante Schools business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Public Education Funding: As a public charter school, Adelante Schools receives per-pupil state funding based on enrollment, serving over 450 scholars from seven zip codes.
- Lilly Endowment Grants: Major grants from Lilly Endowment Inc. including a $14.4 million Marion County K-12 Public Schools Initiative grant for strengthening academic programming, facility improvements, and educator advancement. Also received $220,500 implementation grant in June 2025.
- Donations: Individual and corporate donations supporting scholars and staff, with funds invested in student potential and school programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Free K-8 Public Education |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Yearbooks |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | After-School Care (Bears' Den) |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | After-School Clubs |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Uniforms |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Adelante Schools product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Adelante Schools delivers free K-8 public charter school education to more than 450 scholars through Emma Donnan Elementary & Middle School on the southside of Indianapolis. Its offering combines rigorous academic curriculum with whole-child supports including scratch-made daily meals at The Commons, monthly Social Emotional Learning lessons, the free Bears' Den after-school care program, athletics, and after-school clubs, all wrapped in a culture-of-care model that partners with families.
Product overview
Adelante Schools operates Emma Donnan Elementary & Middle School as a unified K-8 public charter school and IPS Innovation School serving over 450 scholars. The core educational offering combines rigorous curriculum with whole-child supports, centered on the main school campus. The product portfolio includes the core K-8 academic program enhanced by Digital Learning Class (for coding and library skills), comprehensive athletics and after-school clubs (managed through AfterSchool HQ), The Commons meal services featuring scratch-made food, Bears' Den after-school care, PowerSchool parent portal for family engagement, and Bears' Bodega incentive store for positive reinforcement. Scholar supports encompass transportation, SEL programming, and McKinney-Vento services. The school differentiates through its combination of academic excellence, enrichment activities, family engagement, and nutritious meal programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Commons: Scratch-made meal services program, partnering with the Indianapolis Colts.
- Bears Bodega
- Bears' Den After-School Care Program
- Bears Bucks
Quantifiable outcome
- 93% of families report being satisfied with their experience at Emma Donnan, exceeding the 80% goal
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Adelante Schools
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Adelante Schools technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration13 records
Feature5 records
Adelante Schools partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- KPMGminorKPMG volunteers visit 3rd graders 6 times per year to read aloud and promote literacy. They provide books and educational resources to support reading. Also sponsor a Book Fair for 5th-8th graders with literacy activities and free books.
- Indianapolis ColtsminorIndianapolis Colts partnership through The Commons meal services. Colts players and cheerleaders have served lunch at the school and engaged with students to build community and school pride.
- Nine13SportsminorNine13Sports leads the Kids Build Bikes Club at Emma Donnan, providing hands-on bike building experiences for students.
- Starfish InitiativeminorMentoring program for 8th graders to inspire, encourage, and prepare motivated high school students from underrepresented communities for college, career, and life success.
- Paws and ThinkminorTherapy dog organization that brings furry friends to school events like Literacy and Social Studies Night to read with students.
- Adult & ChildminorPartnership for mental health services and primary care. The school nurse can connect students to virtual acute care visits with primary care physicians through Adult & Child collaboration.
- Keeping Indianapolis BeautifulminorStudent Council participates in Bean Creek Neighborhood cleanup activities with Keeping Indianapolis Beautiful.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Adelante Schools competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- BASIS Charter Schools: BASIS Charter Schools is a nationally recognized charter network known for top national rankings and an academically rigorous curriculum. Comparable to Adelante as a tuition-free public charter with rigorous academics aimed at college preparation, though it operates at a larger national scale.
- Success Academy Charter Schools: Success Academy is a high-performing New York-based charter network with a strong outcomes and data-driven instruction model. Comparable to Adelante in its focus on rigorous curriculum, extended learning time, and measurable academic outcomes in a charter setting.
- National Heritage Academies: National Heritage Academies is a large charter management organization operating more than 90 schools across multiple states with a structured curriculum and college-prep focus. It is a broad incumbent peer to Adelante — both pursue similar whole-child, college-prep models in charter format, though NHA operates at far greater scale.
Others
- Enroll Indy: Enroll Indy is Indianapolis's unified public school enrollment system that funnels families to charter and IPS schools. Adelante is a participating school in Enroll Indy, making it a key distribution / demand partner rather than a competitor — measurable enrollment demand through Enroll Indy is a leading indicator for Adelante's growth.
Regional players
- Purdue Polytechnic High School: Purdue Polytechnic High School is an Indianapolis STEM-focused charter network partnering with Purdue University. Comparable to Adelante as an Indianapolis charter operator focused on rigorous academics and college preparation, though it serves high school students rather than K-8.
Direct peers
- KIPP Indy Public Schools: KIPP Indy operates a network of K-12 public charter schools in Indianapolis with a college-prep mission and whole-child supports. It is the most directly comparable Indianapolis charter operator to Adelante given overlapping geography, similar enrollment model through Enroll Indy, and an analogous focus on rigorous curriculum and family engagement.
- Paramount Schools of Excellence: Paramount Schools of Excellence is an Indianapolis-based charter management organization operating K-12 campuses on the southside. It is a direct geographic and operational peer to Adelante, both competing for the same Enroll Indy families and per-pupil funding.
- Herron High School: Herron-Riverside is a long-standing Indianapolis public charter school serving southside communities with rigorous college-prep academics. It shares Adelante's IPS Innovation-adjacent charter status, Indianapolis geography, and focus on rigorous curriculum and postsecondary outcomes.
- Charles A. Tindley Accelerated Schools: Charles A. Tindley Accelerated Schools is an Indianapolis K-12 charter operator with multiple campuses focused on college preparation. Comparable to Adelante as a multi-site Indianapolis charter serving similar urban families through tuition-free public education.
- Indiana Math and Science Academy: Indiana Math and Science Academy is an Indianapolis charter school network emphasizing STEM-focused rigorous curriculum. Comparable to Adelante as a free Indianapolis public charter serving similar urban families pursuing academic outcomes above district averages.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Adelante Schools social profiles
Digital presenceAdelante Schools financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Adelante Schools leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Adelante Schools funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Adelante Schools M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Adelante Schools
What does Adelante Schools do?
Adelante Schools delivers free K-8 public charter school education to more than 450 scholars through Emma Donnan Elementary & Middle School on the southside of Indianapolis. Its offering combines rigorous academic curriculum with whole-child supports including scratch-made daily meals at The Commons, monthly Social Emotional Learning lessons, the free Bears' Den after-school care program, athletics, and after-school clubs, all wrapped in a culture-of-care model that partners with families.
Is Adelante Schools a public or private company?
Adelante Schools is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Adelante Schools founded?
Adelante Schools was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Adelante Schools based?
Adelante Schools is headquartered in Indianapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Adelante Schools make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Public Education Funding is the primary driver. The others are lilly Endowment Grants and donations.
Who are Adelante Schools's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are BASIS Charter Schools, Success Academy Charter Schools and National Heritage Academies. Enroll Indy is listed as an others. Purdue Polytechnic High School is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are KIPP Indy Public Schools, Paramount Schools of Excellence, Herron High School, Charles A. Tindley Accelerated Schools and Indiana Math and Science Academy.
Does Adelante Schools have an API?
No public API is recorded for Adelante Schools.
What industry is Adelante Schools in?
Adelante Schools's product category is K-12 Charter School Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJACAB, Independent Charter Schools (Single-Site), with a secondary code of BPAGADAB, K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 611110 and its SIC code is 8200.