Yes, all Options graduates receive a high school diploma that is accredited by the Indiana Department of Education. Students have the opportunity to choose from the following diploma designations: General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors (AHD) or Core 40 with Technical Honors (THD).

Every student at Options will work with their dedicated counselor to develop their own personalized learning or service plan. This plan encompasses not only the academic progress that the student needs to address, but also social-emotional and behavioral patterns that will allow the student to achieve success.

Public charter schools are independent, public, and tuition-free schools that are given the freedom to be more innovative, while being held accountable for advancing student achievement. Since 2010, many research studies have found that students in charter schools do better in school than their traditional school peers. For example, one study by the Center for Research on Education Outcomes at Stanford University found that charter schools do a better job teaching low income students, minority students, and students who are still learning English than traditional schools. Separate studies by the Center on Reinventing Public Education and Mathematica Policy Research have found that charter school students are more likely to graduate from high school, go on to college, stay in college and have higher earnings in early adulthood.

Alternative Education is designed to meet the needs of students who are not succeeding in the traditional setting and at-risk of not graduating high school.

No it is not, but that is a common misconception about Options. Prior to transforming into Options Charter School in 2002, we served as an additional program for Carmel High School students from 1999 until the Indiana Charter School Law was passed in 2001. Options includes a number of different types of students, including those that were previously homeschooled, those with anxiety issues, those with schedule constraints, along with many additional types of students in search of something different from traditional public school.

We have open enrollment throughout the academic year, therefore applications are always welcome and students are able to enroll in school as long as there are openings in their grade level. If the enrollment capacity is reached in the spring prior to the start of a new academic year, a lottery will take place that gives all applicants an equal opportunity to secure a seat at Options. All applications submitted prior to April 1 will be included in the lottery, while applications for the upcoming school year that are submitted on or after April 1 will be placed on the waiting list.

Options allow students greater flexibility. Students are required to be in the building anywhere from 3 to 6 hours a day depending upon the structure and requirements of their personalized learning plan.  Additionally, Options also offers evening classes at both campuses for students who need more assistance in end of course assessment (ECA) or in certain subjects.  This flexible scheduling allows students who are unable to regularly attend classes the chance to customize an educational schedule that works for them.

Options does not participate in the Federal School Lunch Program, but still provides meal services to students. All Options Schools campus students have access to one free breakfast and one free lunch, during each school day. Students may bring their lunch to school. A refrigerator for student use is available in the student lounge/dining areas. Microwaves and toaster ovens are also available for student use.

Students in good standing will have the opportunity to enroll in courses at Ivy Tech, J Everett Light

Career Center, ABC Construction and Gaylor Electric, while still working towards their high school diploma at Options. Select Ivy Tech courses are even taught on-location at Options campuses.

There is no bus transportation; parents are expected to provide transportation for their student(s) to and from school. Options program leaders also help to assist students and their families in setting up carpools.  For students attending dual-credit programs, Options can provide transportation to & from the student’s campus.

Yes. While students will not receive instruction from an Options teacher, they will receive instruction from a teacher through the Edmentum Online Learning platform. Edmentum is the platform used by the Options Distance Education Program. Several foreign language courses are available through Edmentum.

Anyone looking to learn on their schedule and at their pace is a perfect fit for Options Indiana. We serve students of all backgrounds and abilities, with students benefiting from the flexibility of Options Indiana in a number of ways. While a majority of students enrolled are within the age range of 12-18, we work with adult learners as well. Regardless of your situation, the benefits of receiving your education from Options Indiana are seen by all.