South Bend Empowerment Zone

In the spring of 2019, The Indiana State Board of Education developed an agreement with the South Bend Community School Corporation to create the South Bend Empowerment Zone. The South Bend Empowerment Zone is comprised of Wilson, Warren, Harrison, and Coquillard Elementary schools, and Navarre Middle school. Our charge from the SBOE is to dramatically transform student achievement and growth at our schools over the course of a five-year intervention.

The South Bend Empowerment Zone and its Empowerment Zone Chief are directly accountable to a non-profit Board. The Board consists of both local independent and SBCSC members, allowing community voice a critical role in the process of transforming our neighborhood schools.

Vision

A system of schools that eliminates academic and social/emotional opportunity gaps and nurtures the greatness that exists within each child to confidently thrive in our city, nation, and world.

Mission

The Empowerment Zone nurtures the mind, body, and spirit of each child by harnessing the power of community and empowering every student with a high quality public education.

Refining Deeper Learning — Reimagining schooling

Year 1 (2019-2020)

Establishing a Vision/Building a Strong Foundation

Year 2 (2020-2021)

Building Systems of Support & Developing Community

Year 3 (2021-2022)

Developing a Robust Enrichment Model (including NAEYC-Accredited Early Childhood Education and gifted/talented education)

Year 4 (2022-2023)

Pursuing Deeper Learning/Reimagining schooling

Year 5 (2023-2024)

Refining Deeper Learning/Reimagining schooling

The central philosophy of the South Bend Empowerment Zone

The centering of the student- and family- experience via the empowerment of leaders and educators at each school to respond to their needs in service to stronger academic, social, and emotional outcomes for our students.