Rise Up Academy

Rise Up Academy was established in the summer of 2010 after the South Bend Community School Corporation received a $2.7 million School Improvement Grant (SIG) from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE). The grant was intended to transform the former Bendix School, a struggling school within the SBCSC system, with the goals of increasing End-of-Course Assessment scores, graduation rates, and student attendance.^[1]

As part of the transformation, several major changes were implemented. The school relocated from the Bendix Building complex to the former Eggleston Elementary School building on Eddy Street. A majority of the staff was replaced, including a new principal, assistant principal, guidance counselor, social worker, nurse, and 10 of 16 teaching positions. The instructional model was also overhauled, transitioning from a traditional classroom setting to a project-based and performance-based learning environment.^[1]

As part of the SBCSC's Focus 2018 reorganization initiative, Rise Up Academy was slated to move from the Eggleston building to the former Perley Fine Arts Primary Center, a location closer to the center of South Bend intended to provide greater access to community resources and opportunities for its students.^[3]

During the 2023–2024 academic year, Rise Up Academy achieved its highest graduation rate to date, surpassing 91 percent. This milestone made the school one of the leading alternative education programs in the state of Indiana.^[4]

In 2024, the Indiana Department of Education awarded Rise Up Academy a $3 million Next-Generation School Improvement Grant (Next Gen SIG). The grant was designated for use over three years to implement an Extended Learning Program aimed at further enhancing student educational experiences.^[4][5]

The South Bend Common Council passed Special Resolution No. 04-2024 to formally recognize Rise Up Academy's achievements. The resolution acknowledged the efforts of SBCSC Superintendent Dr. Todd Cummings, Director of Student Learning Howard Edwards, District Administrator Joseph Somers, and Principal Francois Bayingana in contributing to the school's success.^[4]

Rise Up Academy uses a project-based learning model designed for students who are over-aged or under-credited for their grade level. The curriculum is structured to engage students through hands-on, performance-based instruction rather than traditional lecture-based teaching. Students participate in a flexible academic program that incorporates vocational and career-oriented coursework alongside standard academic requirements.^[2][1]

The school also offers online course options, allowing students to complete coursework on a flexible schedule suited to their individual needs.^[6]

Rise Up Academy's student learning outcomes are organized around several competency areas, including proficiency in state academic standards in literacy and STEM; critical thinking and problem-solving; development of coursework and credentialing aligned to student interests; and interpersonal communication and relationship-building skills. Students are expected to develop short- and long-term milestones leading toward post-graduation goals in enrollment, employment, or enlistment.^[7]

Rise Up Academy has implemented restorative justice as a foundational component of its student discipline and conflict resolution practices. Rather than relying solely on traditional disciplinary measures such as suspension, the school uses restorative practices to help students reflect on behavior and build positive relationships with staff and peers.^[3][8]

The school operates a designated space known as the "Phoenix Room," where students who have been involved in a classroom incident are sent to reflect on their behavior with a staff coordinator rather than being sent to the principal's office. The program is designed to reduce suspensions and help students develop self-confidence and conflict resolution skills.^[3]

As of the 2023–2024 school year, Rise Up Academy enrolled approximately 175 students in grades 9 through 12, with a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 7:1.^[9] The student body is predominantly composed of minority students, with total minority enrollment at 86 percent. Approximately 62 percent of students are economically disadvantaged.^[10] According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 53 percent of students are African American, 21 percent are Hispanic or Latino, and 13 percent are White.^[11]

The school holds Title I status, indicating that a significant proportion of its student population comes from low-income families. Approximately 95 percent of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.^[11]

Rise Up Academy is led by Principal Francois Bayingana, who has been credited with fostering a restorative and supportive school culture. The school's guidance counselor, Sherry Bolden Simpson, also serves as a member of the South Bend Common Council representing the 5th District.^[4]

Rise Up Academy at Eggleston is ranked between 309th and 395th among high schools in Indiana and between 13,427th and 17,901st nationally by U.S. News & World Report.^[10] The school holds a B+ rating from Niche.^[12]