Students and parents of the Charles A. Tindley Accelerated School are serious. Students and their families commit to a longer school year with longer class periods and days. They commit to a Family Covenant that binds the student, the parents, the educators and the administrators together in the mission and vision of the school. The covenant requires meetings with administrators, the promise to pursue higher education at a selective college, and 50 hours of service over the course of the school year. Students are asked to affirm they will seek additional help when needed - even if it means giving up free time after school or on weekends. Parents pledge to support their child's academic career by communicating with educators, attend meetings and school-sponsored events regularly, volunteering their time throughout the school year, and supporting their student's flexible schedule.

The strict rules and requirements may lead one to believe the Charles A. Tindley Accelerated School is a private school with an extensive waiting list for enrollment. Surprisingly, the school is Indiana's first accelerated charter school. Charter schools combine the best of both worlds for students. They provide a private-school level education in a tuition free and secular environment. There are smaller class sizes, more flexibility and individualized attention. For teaching professionals, charter schools present opportunities for professional growth and accountability through performance based rewards. Parents and community leaders also have a greater input into how the school is run. According to the school's website, the accelerated school is "a national endeavor designed to transform whole school communities - especially those set apart by high poverty, low academic performance and remediation -- to enriched environments characterized by accelerated instruction and gifted and talented teaching strategies that have been traditionally reserved for only the top 5% of students."

Students are also privy to many opportunities that simply do not exist in the non-charter schools in the Indianapolis area. This year, Marcus Robinson, Principal and CEO of the school, signed a first of it's kind agreement between the school and Anderson University. The Early College High School partnership will allow students to earn college credits during their junior and senior years. When students leave Tindley, they will have not only a high school diploma, but will have also earned college course credits.

Through the commitment of the administrators, educators, and parents, Tindley students will see the rewards of their efforts as they enter the college of their choice with an outline for success and the experience that can only come from hard work. The Charles A. Tindley Accelerated School is a win-win for everyone involved. For more information on the Charles A. Tindley Accelerated School, please visit their website at www.tindleyschool.org