At Vanguard Collegiate of Indianapolis, we care deeply for every one of our scholars. We deliberately and purposely get to know each unique scholar and our intentionally small public charter middle school allows us to truly build a bond, together. We know each scholar’s favorite sports teams, their humor and personality and what academic challenges each unique scholar may face and actively overcome. Most of all — we make it our purpose to know what every scholar is going through in their young lives from hurt, to distrust to trauma — so that when they are in school — they feel how safe this space is for them. We are a school family. 

We greet every unique scholar at the threshold of school each morning and check-in, “How are you doing today?” or “Yesterday was rough. What can we do to make today better?” Before any scholar gets to their first classroom of the day they have four or five positive interactions with our dedicated and compassionate adult staff. This temperature check allows every scholar to feel their value and for our staff to know if any scholar needs some extra support that day. 

Academic and Behavioral Success

Every Friday we come together as a school community. We call this Community Circle. It’s a place for recognition, appreciation and reflection. It’s also a space for inspiration. Together we celebrate academic and behavioral success for our scholars. Every teacher gives a shout out to scholars who have exemplified our THINK values alongside scholars who are working hard at their personal academic goals. In true circular fashion, we carve out space for our scholars to offer a shout out to teachers. Every voice matters and is elevated at Community Circle. Since we are a small (and mighty) public charter middle school — every scholar has space to be seen and heard  — and celebrated.  

Jeremy Morris

Recent Community Circle guests include attorney Jeremy Morris.

Representation Matters

Most exciting of all — we invite local, prominent African American and Latinx business people to come speak to our scholars about who they are, what they do and how they got there.  By introducing our scholars to professionals who look like them and are succeeding in their avocations, our scholars learn about careers they may not know exist and begin to formulate a future career path of their own. 

“… Any opportunity we have to put somebody that’s young, black or brown, and successful in front of our kids we’re gonna do that. Robert Marshall, Founder & Executive Director, Vanguard Collegiate of Indianapolis  

We never know what sparks a scholar into believing in the power of their future. Community Circle creates a weekly place for every scholar to interact with a young professional creating and living their personal success. Some visitors to Vanguard Collegiate of Indianapolis include Mr. Walter Mitchell, Senior Product Manager of Beckman Coulter, Mr. Jeris Getter,  Assistant Linebacker Coach at the University of Dayton,  and Ms. Carman Malone, an attorney at her own standalone law firm.  Our inspirational guests remind our scholars of the importance of hard work, making strong choices for themselves, and the power of tenacity. 

Aretha Thurmond visits Vanguard Collegiate of Indianapolis

Three-time Olympian Aretha Thurmond visits Vanguard Collegiate of Indianapolis.

Ripple Effects

The ripple effects of our weekly Community Circle are extraordinary.  Our scholars connect to and celebrate each other. They hear from and share their experiences of valued faculty and administrators. And they further carve their paths towards the endless possibilities their perseverance can bring.  They are  Vanguards…leaders in thought, word and action. 

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About Vanguard

Vanguard Collegiate of Indianapolis is unapologetically focused on the academic success of our scholars, our fifth to eighth grade students. Situated in Central Indianapolis, we provide high-quality instruction, rigorous curriculum, and supportive character development. We create pathways to college success and to becoming leaders in thought, word, and action. Be a Vanguard, today!