21st Century Charter High School Implements New Policies and Schedule

Students wearing black and red polo shirts carried clear book bags through the entrance of 21st Century Charter High School. A mix of rap songs played, welcoming them back. As they approached two metal detectors, security staff prepared plastic bags for cell phones, headphones, and other wireless devices. Students placed sticky notes with their names into the bags.

Anton Williams, the Dean of Students, directed the students during the process. This was the first local school to begin the academic year. Indiana lawmakers recently imposed a ‘bell to bell’ ban on wireless devices. However, students at 21st Century had been storing or leaving their phones at home due to a district policy in place for the past two years.

Principal Othiniel Mahone explained that phones were collected by first-hour teachers last year. This year, the school decided to collect them at the door to reduce the burden on teachers. Many students, like freshman Jamirah Johnson, opted to leave their phones at home. She expressed indifference to the policy.

Parent Jasmine Ware, from Gary, supported the phone ban. Her son, Amir Robinson, a freshman, agreed with the school’s approach. Ware cited phones as a major distraction, urging students to engage in other activities.

Parent Monae Velez shared her experience dropping off her sons and godson on the first day. Despite disliking the late July start, Velez appreciated the educational options available at 21st Century, such as trades classes. Her family was anticipating a promising school year.

Principal Mahone and Peter Morikis, the district’s executive director, adopted the late-July start for a more balanced schedule. The academic calendar includes two-week breaks for fall, winter, and spring, aiming to reduce learning loss and re-energize students upon their return.

This year, freshman enrollment reached around 140 students, the highest in four years. The anticipated K-12 enrollment increase of 20% supports the growing interest in charter schools, which exceeds the enrollment in any other Indiana district.

The school also offers enrichment and remediation opportunities during breaks. Students may choose to catch up, accelerate their studies, or simply stay home. Morikis highlighted this as a chance to identify and support struggling students.

The implementation of Indiana’s new point-based accountability system is seen by Mahone and Morikis as an advantage. It allows for individualized student assessments beyond test scores, encouraging career paths and credit courses.

The school calendar for nearby institutions includes:

• Lake County: Gary (Aug. 6), East Chicago (Aug. 10), Lake Central (Aug. 11), various other communities (Aug. 12-18)
• Porter County: Starts on Aug. 13 for several townships
• Charter Schools: Begins July 30 with 21st Century Charter, other dates for different charter schools