Phalen Leadership Academies

Phalen Leadership Academies Blog

Welcome to the PLA blog, where we share the stories, voices, and moments of the incredible scholars, teachers, leaders, and communities that make us one of the most transformative school networks in the country. 
Career Readiness

Black History Month & Educational Equity: Phalen Leadership Academies Serves as a Champion for Education

Phalen Leadership Academies is a history making organization in that it is the largest African-American owned and led...

PLA Scholar Sees Entrepreneurial Success with "The Good Stuff"

PLA scholar, David Washington, has found the secret ingredient for success. His line of sauces called 'The Good Stuff'....

Student Success

Deshawn Gonclaves, from A+ Arts Academy to the World Stage

Deshawn Gonclaves: From A+ Arts Academy to American Idol stage

Student Success

Earl Martin Phalen, PLA CEO & Founder, shares the Secret to Our Scholars' Success

Earl Martin Phalen, Phalen Leadership Academies CEO & Founder, Shares the Secret to Our Scholars' Success

Classroom Technology

Elementary Students Build Drones, Mobile Apps and Excitement for STEM

Students at the Phalen Leadership Academy, a public charter school located in Indianapolis, are getting a head start on...

Academic Leadership

Innovation Leads to Dramatic Turnaround at School #103

“The most amazing thing about the transformation we have seen is that this is the same school, and these are the same...

Classroom Management

PLA Honing in on Strengthening Partner School Climate and Culture

We strive to provide a safe and supportive school climate by creating consistency across all PLA schools and meeting...

Educational Reform

PLA CEO Named Re-Envisioning Foster Care in America (REFCA) Champion

Largest African-American School Turnaround Operator Named Re-Envisioning Foster Care in America (REFCA) Champion

Student Success

PLA Scholar Featured on Wish TV

Samiah Turner, who participates in PLA’s STEMNASIUM partnership has released her debut autobiography “My Life as an...

College Readiness

All JRPLA 8th Graders Eligible for Full Ride College Scholarships

All 8th grade scholars at James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy (JRPLA) have been given a golden opportunity to...

Student Success

While the U.S. Public Education System Struggles to Fix ‘Drop Out Factories,’ a Small Group of Teachers Have Found the Answer

In one city, a team of experienced educators will no longer tolerate failing schools and has developed a remarkably...

Educational Reform

PLA to Help Transform Community by Providing Beauty and Art on Indy's Far Eastside

Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA) has received a grant of $3 million as part of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Strengthening...

College Readiness

College and Career Readiness for Students on Indy's Far Eastside Phalen Leadership Academies Awarded $125K Glick Fund Grant

PLA has been awarded a $125K grant from Glick Fund to build a college and career readiness program aiding scholars in...

Classroom Management

Washington Informer: How PLA Closed Achievement Gaps Through Effective Teaching

Six years ago, Earl Martin Phalen founded what has quickly become the largest African American-run charter school...

Educational Reform

Most A-rated IPS Schools Including PLA Are Independent of District Policies

School 103’s new manager is Phalen Leadership Academies. Now renamed as PLA@ 03, the school is one of only nine IPS...

Student Success

PLA Schools Saw Some of Largest Gains on ISTEP in Indianapolis Public Schools

PLA continues to build its reputation as a turnaround operator. Thus far, the organization has turned 5 F-rated...

Educational Reform

PLA Highlighted for Blazing New Trails in "Reinventing America's Schools"

Phalen Leadership Academies was featured for blazing new trails in the book "Reinventing America's Schools ."

Student Success

Phalen Grows Network to 10 Campuses by Taking over Charter Schools Across Indiana and Detroit

Phalen grows network to 10 campuses by taking over charter schools across Indiana and Detroit

Academic Leadership

IndyStar Highlights PLA’s Journey and Vision for the Far Eastside of Indianapolis

An education dream comes true in Indy.

Classroom Technology

CBS Highlights How STEM Learning Comes to Life for PLA Scholars Through STEMNASIUM LEARNING Academy

STEMNASIUM Program Grows at Indianapolis Elementary School

Academic Leadership

IPS Approves School #93 to Become Innovation Network School and Join the PLA Network

Indianapolis Public Schools approves newcomer school, two innovation schools

Academic Leadership

Finding Hope, Clarity in an Eastside School: Indianapolis Star Highlights Transformation at PLA@103

The state’s education debate has been dominated by distractions, focused on politics and not children. So a visit to an...

Academic Leadership

Phalen: We Need Bold Action to Transform Our Schools

This essay is part of a special series commemorating the 65th anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education...

Academic Leadership

College and Career Readiness Central Theme at PLA

College and Career Readiness Driven by Great Learners and Personalized Learning

Academic Leadership

Junior League of Indianapolis Names Phalen Leadership Academies Top Nonprofit in Indianapolis

A leading Indianapolis-based civic group has named the George and Veronica Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA), a network...

Educational Reform

NCAA Recognizes Earl Martin Phalen for Excellence in Education

National education reformer Earl Martin Phalen, has been awarded the Silver Anniversary Award from the National...