Indy Standard

Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) is set to receive a $10.5 million investment from Lilly Endowment Inc. over the next five years. The funding will support a district literacy initiative aimed at improving reading proficiency in elementary schools.

The financial backing comes as part of Lilly Endowment's Marion County K–12 Public Schools Initiative, which includes 43 grants through its second phase. This initiative seeks to enhance academic performance for Indianapolis students and improve their future prospects after high school.

Dr. Aleesia Johnson, IPS Superintendent, emphasized the importance of community partnerships in supporting student success: “We’re not only deepening our commitment to foundational literacy in our IPS elementary schools, but we’re also building a system of support that extends beyond the classroom and into the home.”

The literacy initiative aims to impact 18,500 students by creating supportive learning environments both at school and at home. Goals include increasing IREAD-3 pass rates, improving literacy skills scores, boosting promotion rates between grades three and four, expanding tutoring access, and preparing more students for postsecondary education.

Lilly Endowment is also providing grants to private schools in Indianapolis under a separate initiative. Ted Maple, vice president for education at Lilly Endowment, noted that education leaders have developed strategic programs to help students thrive academically.

This comprehensive literacy effort is part of IPS’s Rebuilding Stronger plan aimed at ensuring all students have access to quality educational opportunities.