Obama Classmate Opens Indiana Charter School

    INDIANAPOLIS, IN, April 05, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Earl Martin Phalen, a Harvard Law School classmate of President Obama and CEO of the nationally recognized Summer Advantage USA, has opened a charter school in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The inaugural year of the George and Veronica Phalen Leadership Academies will begin in August 2013. Building on the high test scores of the research-based summer program, Summer Advantage USA, the Academies will initially serve grades K-2 and will focus on a blended learning curriculum which incorporates computers in the learning process.

The Phalen Leadership Academies (known as PLA) was approved by the Indiana Charter School Board to open 10 schools throughout Indiana to serve nearly 10,000 children.

Phalen, an education advisor to the Obama campaign, said, "We are currently enrolling students and invite parents throughout Indianapolis to be a part of our historic inaugural year. The tuition is free and we offer extended school hours which will help offset after school care costs for many working parents."

"It our expectation that PLA will provide a solid beginning academic foundation that will ensure our scholars (students) are college graduates and leaders in their community."

Phalen's national leadership in education has been noted by ABC World News, NY Times, Education Week, MSNBC and he was honored by the entertainment industry at the 2010 BET Awards.

To enroll a child in the Phalen Leadership Academies, visit www.phalenacademies.org before May 15th.

Founded by national education reformer, Earl Martin Phalen, the George and Veronica Phalen Leadership Academies will be one of the highest ranked charter schools in Indiana. Building on the high standardized test scores of Summer Advantage USA graduates, the Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA) will work to ensure all scholars meet high academic and social standards, and thrive as leaders at home, in their communities and in the world.

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