The Independence Academy

What The Independence Academy does

The Independence Academy (IA) is a federally registered 501c3 nonprofit independent school founded in 2008 in Indianapolis, Indiana, that provides a diploma-track educational program specifically for autistic learners in grades 3 through 12. It operates a single campus at 7302 Woodland Drive with sensory-friendly classrooms, built-in sensory spaces, an expansive sensory room, and large-motor activity areas, maintaining a 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio to enable individualized instruction. The school is fully accredited by the Indiana State Board of Education and is a member of the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS).

The core product is the K-12 Autism Education Program, supported by three diploma pathways (General, Core 40, and Core 40 Honors) and a layered set of add-on modules including PEERS social skills training (the only Indiana school offering UCLA's PEERS curriculum as part of daily programming), speech and occupational therapy, Ivy Tech dual credit, the Step Into College extended transition program, and structured transition planning services. Faculty are trained in autism-specific methodologies including PEERS, HANDS in Autism, TEACCH, and Visualizing and Verbalizing. Cofounder Susan Le Vay is one of only three certified PEERS providers in Indiana. A Jupiter-based online portal supports parent and student access to progress, assignments, and attendance.

Revenue is generated through five streams: family tuition (not publicly disclosed), the Indiana Choice Scholarship voucher, the state's Educational Scholarship Account (ESA), SGO Tax Credit Scholarships administered via the Sagamore Institute, and charitable fundraising (annual gala, Golf 4 Autism, and direct giving). Because tuition alone does not cover operating costs, philanthropic support and scholarship programs are structurally embedded in the model. Customer acquisition is community-led, driven by physician and educational-system referrals, word-of-mouth, and partnerships with K1ds Count Therapy, Marian University, HANDS in Autism (IU School of Medicine), and the Indiana Pacers. The school reports that 100% of graduates earn a diploma and are enrolled in college, specialized training, or employment within 3 to 9 months of graduation.

Name

The Independence Academy

Legal name

The Independence Academy

Website

https://iaindiana.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Independence Academy is a 501c3 nonprofit school in Indianapolis serving autistic students in grades 3-12, delivering an individualized, sensory-friendly curriculum with a 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio and exclusive-in-Indiana access to UCLA's PEERS social skills program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Teacher Training & Professional Development (EDAKAKAL), Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Schools & Life Skills Programs (EDAKAAAD)

Keywords

• Autism education services
• Special education school
• Individualized learning programs
• Social skills training
• Transition planning services

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Tuition from families of autistic students in grades 3-12. The school is a nonprofit independent school; tuition alone does not cover the full cost of operations and is supplemented by philanthropic support.
2. Indiana Choice Scholarship (Voucher Program): State-funded scholarship program that provides scholarships to eligible students to offset tuition costs. Families must satisfy household income requirements and student eligibility criteria.
3. Educational Scholarship Account (ESA): State-funded program providing students with disabilities funds to pay for private school tuition, fees, and certain educational expenses such as therapeutic services.
4. SGO Tax Credit Scholarships: The school partners with the Sagamore Institute's Scholarships for Education Choice program. Donors receive a 50% Indiana state tax credit on contributions designated to IA, which are used for needs-based tuition assistance scholarships for students from households at 200% or less of Federal Free and Reduced Meal Program eligibility.
5. Charitable Donations and Fundraising: As a federally registered 501c3 nonprofit, the school relies on charitable contributions to fund its mission. Fundraising channels include annual gala (An Evening for Autism), golf fundraiser (Golf 4 Autism), direct gifts, matching gifts, planned giving, retirement assets, stock assets, and in-kind gifts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Independence Academy delivers an accredited, diploma-track educational program for autistic learners in grades 3-12 at its sensory-friendly Indianapolis campus. Instruction is individualized at a 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio, supplemented by UCLA's PEERS social skills program, speech and occupational therapy, transition planning, dual-credit coursework, and enrichment activities. The school is the only Indiana institution offering UCLA's PEERS as part of its daily curriculum.

Product overview

The Independence Academy is a K-12 autism education institution offering a unified, comprehensive educational program for diploma-track autistic students in grades 3-12. The core product is the K-12 Autism Education Program, which includes accreditation by the Indiana State Board of Education and ISACS, and prepares students for one of three diploma paths (General, Core 40, or Core 40 Honors). Supporting the core program are enrichment modules including PEERS Social Skills Training (the only school in Indiana offering UCLA's PEERS program), Speech and Occupational Therapy, Ivy Tech Dual Credit courses, and the Step Into College extended program. Transition Planning Services help students prepare for post-graduation success through career exploration, internships, and college preparation. The school also provides an Online Parent/Student Portal via Jupiter for progress monitoring. Additional support services include scholarship programs (Choice Scholarship, ESA, SGO Tax Credit) and community fundraising events. All offerings work together to provide a holistic educational experience for autistic learners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• K-12 Autism Education Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of IA graduates are successfully enrolled in college, pursuing specialized training, or employed in a career of their choice within 3 to 9 months post-graduation.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HANDS in Autism (Indiana University School of Medicine)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHANDS in Autism is an integrated program at Indiana University School of Medicine focused on evidence-based behavioral assessment and intervention strategies for individuals with ASD. The program collaborates closely with parents to boost confidence and effectiveness. HANDS provides Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) to IA students in individual sessions, small groups, and internships up to 10 months.
• Marian UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarian University's Spectrum of Knights program provides fee-based individualized support and guidance to autistic students on campus, working one-on-one with an Autism Coordinator from first year through graduation. IA maintains a partnership connecting families to this resource for students transitioning to post-secondary education.
• Ivy Tech Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIA students can earn dual credit through Ivy Tech Community College courses via the Indiana Online Academy, providing a head start on college credit, cost savings, and smoother transition to higher education.
• Indiana Pacers / Gainbridge FieldhouseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Indiana Pacers invited IA students to participate in honorary player experiences, including locker room tours, media day photo shoots, jersey presentations, and shopping sprees. The partnership provides community visibility and positive exposure for the school.
• K1ds Count TherapyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerK1ds Count is a local pediatric therapy provider offering ABA therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, diagnostic testing, and mental health services. Listed as an IA community partner and resource for families.
• Merchants Bank of IndianaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a community partner on the IA Partners page. Nature of partnership is community support and/or financial sponsorship of school programs.
• Sagamore Institute (Scholarships for Education Choice)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIA partners with the Sagamore Institute's Scholarships for Education Choice program, a state-approved Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO). This enables IA to receive SGO donations that qualify donors for 50% Indiana state tax credits and provides needs-based scholarships to eligible IA students.
• Project SEARCHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject SEARCH is referenced as a community resource to help connect IA families with employment transition services for students nearing graduation.
• UCLA PEERS ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIA is the only school in Indiana to offer UCLA's Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) to its students as a supplement to daily social skills programs. Susan Le Vay, IA's cofounder, is one of only three certified PEERS providers in Indiana.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Calais School: Private special education school in New Jersey serving students with language-based learning disabilities, ADHD, and autism. Comparable to IA in private nonprofit structure, individualized instruction, and transition-focused programming.
• The Shafer Center: Private school and therapy center in Maryland serving students with autism. Comparable to IA in combining academic instruction with embedded speech, OT, and behavioral support services.
• The Prentice School: Private nonprofit K-12 school in California serving students with learning differences including autism. Directly comparable to IA in mission, small class sizes, and individualized educational planning.
• The Vanguard School: Private nonprofit K-12 school in Pennsylvania serving students with learning differences including autism. Aligned with IA in mission, small class sizes, and college/career transition outcomes focus.
• The McCarton School: Private special education school in New York City serving students with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities. Closely aligned with IA's autism-specific mission, small class sizes, and individualized curriculum model.
• Marburn Academy: Private K-12 school in Columbus, Ohio serving students with learning differences including dyslexia, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder. Directly comparable to IA in mission, small student-to-teacher ratios, and individualized instruction for neurodiverse learners.
• Benchmark School: Private K-8 school in Pennsylvania serving students with learning differences including autism and ADHD. Aligned with IA in evidence-based curriculum, low student-to-teacher ratios, and ISACS-equivalent accreditation standards.
• Gateway Academy: Private school in Texas serving students with autism and related developmental differences. Comparable in focus on diploma-track outcomes, social skills instruction, and post-secondary transition planning.
• Camphill Special Schools: Nonprofit network of special education schools in Pennsylvania and elsewhere serving students with intellectual and developmental disabilities including autism. Comparable to IA in mission, individualized approach, and emphasis on transition to independent living.

Broad incumbents

• HelpGroup (Sherman Oaks & Vista): Larger nonprofit operating multiple autism and special education schools in Southern California. Comparable in serving students with autism through accredited private schools, but at significantly greater scale and geographic breadth than IA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-independence-academy

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 The Independence Academy