Phalen Leadership Academies

Phalen Leadership Academies

Nonprofit charter school turnaround network.

Overview

Phalen Leadership Academies runs a network of tuition-free public and charter schools, focusing on turning around underperforming schools in underserved communities. It partners with school districts to manage struggling schools, funded by public enrollment and foundation grants. The model emphasizes strong teacher coaching, professional development, high staffing levels, and a blended learning approach that combines whole-group, small-group, and online instruction, along with enrichment, extended days, and STEM and character education programs. The goal is sustained school improvement and higher student achievement across multiple states.

Significant Headcount Growth

About Phalen Leadership Academies

Simplify's Rating
Why Phalen Leadership Academies is rated
C+
Rated C on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Government & Public Sector

Social Impact

Education

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Indianapolis, Indiana

Founded

2013

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Lilly Endowment awarded PLA a $25 million grant in 2025.
  • PLA opened a new Kanawha County school for the 2026-2027 year.
  • Indianapolis schools earned A-ratings in 2025, including PLA@93 and James and Rosemary.

What critics are saying

  • PVLA's 2024-25 review found Does Not Meet Standard on key accountability measures.
  • West Virginia's 2025 charter-constitution ruling threatens PLA's Marmet expansion by 2026.
  • Human capital risk: Indeed reviews average 2.9, signaling weak retention and management.

What makes Phalen Leadership Academies unique

  • Earl Martin Phalen pairs school turnaround with workforce, health, and wellness programming.
  • PLA claims 12 F-rated schools transformed into A-rated schools across five states.
  • Its blended model combines coaching, extended time, and individualized online instruction.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Vision Insurance

Dental Insurance

Professional Development Budget

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

5%

1 year growth

5%

2 year growth

5%
PR Newswire
Mar 31st, 2026
National children's health and wellness complexes being built.

National children's health and wellness complexes being built. Entrepreneurial Ventures in Education Mar 31, 2026, 16:30 ET Supported by the NBA, NFL and Lilly Endowment, WIN USA is building health and wellness utopias for inner city children and adolescents across America. The first site will be in Indianapolis. BOSTON, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ - Led by foster care survivor, the CEO of Entrepreneurial Ventures in Education and former Massachusetts U.S. Senate prospect, Earl Martin Phalen, the mission of WIN USA is to improve the lives of inner city children through health and wellness utopias across the nation. The first site will be the Sean Cowdrey Complex which has received funds from the NBA, NFL and Lilly Endowment through a recent $25M grant to Phalen Leadership Academies charter schools. A portion of the grant supports the building of a health and wellness complex for children in the community. Named after the late Sean Cowdrey, who played soccer at Indiana University, the vision of the complex and WIN USA is to create loving spaces where children and adolescents are nurtured, lives are transformed and character is built. Every WIN USA site will support the wellness of children and adolescents 7 days per week through evidence based programs including: * Intramural Sports (flag football, volleyball, baseball, basketball and soccer) * Varsity and JV Team Sports and Facilities (baseball, football and soccer fields) * Yoga and Ballet classes, and * Dance studios and mediation spaces. With over 4M uninsured children in the United States, WIN USA will also provide basic health screenings through OnMed care stations. Dr. Mike Franz, MD, a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry notes, "The mental health and wellness of at-risk youth in our cities is at a critical moment and all too often neglected. WIN USA would make a significant, positive impact on the psychological and physical health of children and adolescents in every major city." The first WIN USA site is expected to be completed by 2028 and is located at 4352 N Mitthoefer Rd, Indianapolis, Indiana (adjacent to the James and Rosemary Leadership Academy). The second site will be in Kansas City, Missouri. Media Contact Ann, Entrepreneurial Ventures in Education, 1 614-638-9607, [email protected] SOURCE Entrepreneurial Ventures in Education

WISH-TV
Nov 13th, 2023
Phalen Leadership Academies charter network seeks $10 million for sports complex

Phalen Leadership Academies charter network seeks $10 million for sports complex.

Chalkbeat
Nov 8th, 2023
Phalen Leadership Academies charter network seeks $10 million for sports complex

Phalen Leadership Academies charter network seeks $10 million for sports complex.

Inside Indiana Business
Sep 11th, 2023
Not-for-profits benefiting youth receive grants from Glick Philanthropies - Inside INdiana Business

A total of $2.18 million from Glick Philanthropies will be dispersed to 114 Hoosier not-for-profits to increase access to the arts, equitable education, economic mobility, health resources and services to meet basic needs.

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