Indiana Charter Network Boosts Graduation 20% With Mental Health Focus

When students fall behind in traditional schools, they don't need more lectures. They need someone to figure out what's really standing in their way.

Option Schools, a public charter network founded in 2002, has cracked the code on helping struggling students earn their diplomas. The organization started with a single high school focused on juniors and seniors at risk of not graduating, but has since expanded to include middle schoolers and three full campuses across Westfield, Noblesville, and Portage, Indiana.

What sets Option Schools apart is their 15-to-1 staff-to-student ratio, a dramatic difference from typical public schools. "Our smaller ratio means more caring adults who can identify and address barriers to success daily," said Jake Brandau, the network's president.

Every student walks through the doors carrying different challenges, from family instability to learning disabilities to trauma. The Option Schools team works to understand what each individual needs, adjusting their approach day by day rather than applying a one-size-fits-all curriculum.

About six years ago, the network launched a statewide virtual program to reach students who couldn't attend in person. That decision proved critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing Option Schools to continue supporting students without interruption while other systems struggled to adapt.

But the biggest breakthrough came when the network recognized a pattern: anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges were the primary barriers keeping students from success. By integrating dedicated mental health services into their educational model, graduation rates jumped from 50% to an impressive 70%.

"Once students get the help they need to manage mental health challenges, the education follows," Brandau explained. The correlation was undeniable: when young people felt emotionally supported and equipped with coping strategies, their academic performance soared.

The Ripple Effect

The success at Option Schools signals a crucial shift in how we think about education. For decades, struggling students were often labeled as unmotivated or difficult, when in reality many were battling invisible challenges that made focusing on algebra or history feel impossible.

By addressing mental health first, Option Schools is proving that academic achievement isn't just about smarter teaching methods or stricter standards. It's about recognizing that students are whole people whose emotional wellbeing directly impacts their ability to learn.

Brandau emphasized that families don't need to wait until a crisis hits. The network welcomes students who might face challenges down the road, offering a safety net before problems spiral.

Families interested in learning more can visit optionschools.org to connect with the enrollment team and explore whether this personalized approach might be the right fit for their child.