Discovery

Discovery Charter School

2026–2029 Strategic Plan

School Profile

School Snapshot

2024–25 current year vs. 2023–24 prior year · Source: NCES CCD

Grades K–8 Authorized by Ball State University Opened 2010 Porter, IN

Total Enrollment

536

2023-24: 544

-8 YoY

Teachers (FTE)

34

2023-24: 36

-2 YoY

Student / Teacher Ratio

15.76

2023-24: 15.11

FRL Eligible

213

2023-24: 191

Direct Certification

124

2023-24: 199

Enrollment

Enrollment Detail

2024–25 breakdown by grade, gender, and race/ethnicity · Source: NCES CCD

Enrollment by Grade

2024–25 vs. 2023–24

Gr. KGr. 1Gr. 2Gr. 3Gr. 4Gr. 5Gr. 6Gr. 7Gr. 8020406080
  • 2024-25
  • 2023-24

Race / Ethnicity

2024–25 · 536 students total

White
343
Hispanic
99
Black
41
Two or More
40
Asian
13

Gender

2024–25

Male286(53%)
Female250(47%)

Geographic Reach

Students from 19 districts · Source: 2020 Renewal Application

Duneland School Corp.41.6%
Portage Township Schools21.1%
Michigan City Area Schools12.3%
Other (16 districts)25%

Financials

Financial Summary

Audited annual financials 2018–2024 · Source: Ball State / Indiana audit reports

Total Revenue (2024)

$6.43M

vs $5.81M prior year

Total Expenses (2024)

$5.87M

vs $5.59M prior year

Annual Surplus (2024)

$558K

▲ Surplus

Ending Net Assets (2024)

$1.34M

vs $784K prior year

Revenue / Student

$12K

Expense / Student

$11K

Net Assets / Student

$3K

Revenue, Expenses & Net Assets Trend

2018–2024 · ★ 2022 includes PPP loan extinguishment gain

20182019202020212022202320242025$0K$2000K$4000K$6000K$8000K$0K$350K$700K$1050K$1400K★ PPP
  • Revenue
  • Expenses
  • Net Assets

Funding Strategy

Funding Mix Over Time

Revenue source composition 2018–2024 · Source: Audited financials

State Support (2024)

66%

of total revenue

Grant Revenue (2024)

25.6%

of total revenue

Non-State Funding (2024)

34%

diversification opportunity

Contributions (2024)

0.9%

private giving — room to grow

Revenue Composition (100% Stacked)

Each bar = 100% of total revenue · ★ 2022 includes PPP loan extinguishment gain (inflates non-state share)

201820192020202120222023202420250%30%60%100.00000000000001%★ PPP
  • State Support
  • Grants
  • Student Fees
  • Contributions
  • Other/Interest

Non-State Funding Share Trend

Strategic opportunity: grow revenue outside state per-pupil formula

2018201920202021202220232024202515%22%29%40%

Context

Charter & Market Position

Public charter profile · Source: Charter application, Ball State renewal materials, NCES

School Profile

TypePublic charter school (not private, not district-run)
AuthorizerBall State University
Opened2010 (originally K–6, expanded to K–8)
ModelPlace-based and environmentally integrated curriculum
Enrollment (2024-25)536 students
Geographic draw19 school districts across Lake, Porter & La Porte counties
LocationPorter, Indiana

Authorization & Renewal Timeline

2009

Ball State approves Discovery to open

2010

School opens, grades K–6, expanding to K–8

2015

Ball State grants 5-year renewal

2020

Ball State grants 7-year renewal

2027

Next renewal window (est.)

Data sources: NCES CCD, Ball State / Indiana audited financials, Discovery Charter renewal materials. Financial figures are audited.