Indianapolis, IN

PPHS to close South Bend campus to focus on Indianapolis schools amid declining enrollment

Published

3 months ago

February 11, 2026

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PPHS to close South Bend campus to focus on Indianapolis schools amid declining enrollment

Amelia Pak-Harvey
| Chalkbeat Indiana

This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters.

The Purdue Polytechnic High School board of directors will close the charter network’s South Bend location amid financial challenges while it focuses on the long-term stability of its two remaining Indianapolis campuses.

The decision comes amid declining enrollment at both its South Bend and Broad Ripple campuses that could signal a broader enrollment challenge for both traditional public and charter schools. The South Bend location served 112 students this year, according to state enrollment records.

PPHS declined an interview through a public relations professional and did not answer specific questions about the South Bend closure. And it’s unclear if the network still has plans for a third Indianapolis location as previously planned.

In June, OEI issued a notice of deficiency for the network’s two Indianapolis campuses that cited concerns over financial reporting and missed enrollment targets at the Broad Ripple campus.

But in a statement last week, OEI Executive Director Shaina Cavazos said the school is well-positioned to build strong fiscal health based on recent performance and enrollment trends.

“Throughout my communication with the board and school leadership, it has been clear the focus remains on building strong fiscal health for the Indianapolis schools,” Cavazos said.

In South Bend, a partnership with the Career Academy Network of Public Schools — another charter network with four schools in South Bend — allows PPHS South Bend students to be offered priority enrollment at Career Academy schools next school year, the network said in a press release. South Bend staff members will also be able to interview for open positions at Career Academy locations.

Fast growth in first campus sparks quick launch of two others

PPHS launched in Indianapolis in 2017 with the support of former Governor and then-Purdue University President Mitch Daniels. The high school model focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math with a goal of increasing the number of historically underserved students of color attending Purdue University.

The network’s first location in the east side area of Englewood, approved by the mayor’s Office of Education Innovation, grew by one grade each year and has since seen year-over-year enrollment growth with 617 students this year, according to state enrollment records.

The network launched two other locations in quick succession. In 2019-20, PPHS North, also approved by OEI, opened with 64 students and later moved into Broad Ripple Middle School through a partnership with Indianapolis Public Schools. The next year, PPHS opened its South Bend campus.

But both of those locations have been losing students in recent years. In Broad Ripple, enrollment has dropped from its high of 283 in 2022-23 to 220 this school year, well below the maximum 600 threshold that the school pitched to the mayor’s office in its application.

In South Bend, enrollment peaked in 2023-24 at 154 and now sits at 112. In its application to the Indiana Charter School Board — which authorized the South Bend campus — it planned for a capacity of 500.

Another charter authorizer, Education One at Trine University, approved PPHS to open a third high school in Indianapolis in 2023. That opening date has been repeatedly delayed.

The school’s spokesperson did not answer a question on whether it would still open that campus.

Education One executive director Emily Gaskill said in an email that the school was approved but a charter agreement was never executed. If a charter is not executed for a school, then the school would need to reapply, she said.

Focusing on the network’s Indianapolis schools will strengthen the Purdue brand in Indianapolis, a spokesperson for PPHS said. Purdue University is expanding its presence in the city with the creation of Purdue University Indianapolis, which launched in 2024 after Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis split into two schools.

Amelia Pak-Harvey covers Indianapolis and Lawrence Township schools for Chalkbeat Indiana. Contact Amelia at apak-harvey@chalkbeat.org.

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Indianapolis, IN

Kitchen fire forces evacuation at Indianapolis’ Sullivan’s Steakhouse

Published

1 hour ago

May 10, 2026

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Kitchen fire forces evacuation at Indianapolis’ Sullivan’s Steakhouse

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — 45 employees and guests were forced to evacuate Sullivan’s Steakhouse on East 86th Street late Saturday night, which is right next to The Fashion Mall at Keystone.

According to a social media post from the Indianapolis Fire Department, just after 10 p.m., a fire broke out inside the kitchen exhaust hood system and spread to the roof.

(Photo Provided by the Indianapolis Fire Department via X)

Multiple 911 callers reported flames on the roof and the fire was marked as working while IFD crews were en route.

Firefighters say the aggressive fire was under control in 26 minutes.

Thankfully, no was one injured.

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Indianapolis, IN

Man fatally shot near 10th Street, Shadeland Avenue on Mother’s Day

Published

14 hours ago

May 10, 2026

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Man fatally shot near 10th Street, Shadeland Avenue on Mother’s Day

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A man is dead, and a suspect has been detained following a shooting on Indy’s far east side.

The shooting took place around midnight Sunday near the intersection of East 10th Street and Shadeland Avenue.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers arrived at the scene and found a man with multiple gunshot wounds. Medics rushed him to a hospital, where he later died.

Investigators say they believe it started as an altercation in the parking lot of a business before the shooting happened.

The suspect stayed on the scene and was later detained. IMPD says they located a gun in the suspect’s car.

IMPD Capt. John Arvin told media at the scene, “It’s Mother’s Day. Here’s the tragedy. A mother is going to get a knock on the door this morning that her son is dead. For the rest of her life, every Mother’s Day, she’s going to remember that’s the day my son died.

“That just makes this a senseless tragedy. We have no idea what the fight was over, what led to the shooting, but whatever it was, does it lead to someone’s mother knowing for the rest of her life my son died on mothers day. That’s just tragedy.”

Police say many of the surrounding businesses have security cameras, and they will contact them today to review the footage as part of the investigation.

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Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis Race Results: May 9, 2026 (INDYCAR) – Racing News

Published

1 day ago

May 9, 2026

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IndyCar race results from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

IndyCar Series drivers are on the grid in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course is set to host a day of open wheel racing.

View Indianapolis race results for the IndyCar Series below.

Alex Palou and Pato O’Ward set the front row. 85 laps laps of stock car racing are up next…

Race Report

Green flag, Alex Palou is clear out of turn one. Pato O’Ward is turned! Scott Dixon and others are collected. The caution is out.

Penalty: Felix Rosenqvist will serve a drive thru penalty for contact in turn one.

Green, Palou leads Malukas and Kirkwood into turn one.

Lap 7, Kirkwood dives inside of Malukas into turn one. Kirkwood takes 2nd away.

Lap 21, Alexander Rossi is stalled and the caution is out. Multiple pit strategies are now in play.

Palou heads for the pit lane. Power is handed the lead as Palou restarts 19th.

Green, Power leads Malukas and Lundgaard. Felix Rosenqvist jumps over the top of Kyffin Simpson, caution.

Power pits from the lead with others. Malukas is handed the lead.

Green, Malukas leads Lunagaard into turn one.

Lap 48, Malukas and others head for the pit lane. Lundgaard pits the following lap. Malukas cycles out ahead. Malukas is saving fuel.

Lap 52, Power leads Malukas by 8 seconds.

Lap 63, Alex Palou pits for the final time from 5th.

20 to go, Lundgaard and many of the leaders dive for the pit lane. A lap later, Malukas heads for the pit lane.

Malukas cycles out ahead of Lundgaard. Lundgaard trails by 1.3 seconds.

18 to go, Lundgaard is all over the gearbox of the leader! Malukas blocks the inside into turn one. He misses a shift and Lundgaard pulls on the outside. They fight for space into turn four, Lundgaard to the lead!

8 to go, Lundgaard leads Malukas by 3 seconds. He’s driving away.