Program Type
Mentoring and career navigation programs
Leadership skills & college/career prep programs
Ages Served:
12-18 Years
19-25 Years
Overview
Brief Program Summary: Launched in Fall 2018, the Future Centers are physical spaces and
serve as school-based advising centers where students can define their college and career plans,
and receive guidance and support to execute them. Future Center staff partner with their school’s
traditional academic counselors and are equipped with educators focused solely on assisting
students with developing and executing post-secondary plans.
The High School Future Centers are designed to help IPS students take the steps needed to
successfully transition to Enrollment, Enlistment or Employment upon graduation. Students can
avail themselves to valuable support services in the areas of college- and career-readiness skill
building, mentoring, technical assistance, and more.
Featuring the latest technology, strong support from collegiate and corporate partners, and
knowledgeable and friendly staff, the Future Center and its resources are available to scholars
throughout their high school experience and during their journey through college or early years in
the workforce.
Services include:
– Mentoring: Individualized or group mentoring sessions offer students support during their high
school years to help them overcome any social and emotional hurdles they encounter.
– Interview Training: Mock interviews, through one-on-one or group training, help students prepare
for upcoming job or college/military interviews by perfecting skills and providing valuable
feedback.
– College Application Support: Staff provides students with assistance in understanding and
completing financial-aid forms and scholarship applications, and researching additional ways to
make college affordable and attainable.
– Tutoring: Whether students are preparing for college essays, the ACT or SAT, or just need
additional support, tutoring in math and writing are provided to foster greater understanding and
mastery of core curriculum.
Success Metrics: Future Center staff partner with their school’s traditional academic counselors
and are equipped with educators focused solely on assisting students with developing and
executing post-secondary plans.
Demographics
Number Served & Racial Distribution:
Total Number of Individuals Annually Served
5,200
Black or African Americans Annually Served
41%
Hispanic or Latinos Annually Served
32%
Geographic Scope:
− Central Indiana Counties: Marion
− Additional/Other Areas of Focus: N/A
Resources
Annual Operating Cost: $550,000
Initial Start-Up Cost: $2.7 million
Contact Information
Organization Name: Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS)
Website: https://myips.org/
Respondents Name: Jennifer O’Shea
Email: osheaj@myips.org