Our Mission
Promise Prep’s mission is to ensure all students, regardless of their family’s income, race, or zip code, have access to a high-quality education that enables them to become critical thinkers, have choices, capitalize on opportunities, and secure continuing economic advancement to positively impact their community.
About us
Promise Prep is a new public charter school in Indianapolis, IN. We will open in August 2021 with our founding Kindergarten, First and Second Grade classrooms, and will grow by one grade level each year until we serve grades K-6.
Our Approach
All our students will graduate from Promise Prep and be on a path to college or a career of their choice to break the cycle of generational poverty.
College and Career Prep
We believe in the unique potential of our students. With love and high expectations, we support them in finding their own paths to success. Whether they want to attend college or start their career right after graduation, we make sure our students are prepared for both so they can make the choice that’s right for them.
RIGOROUS AND ENGAGING INSTRUCTION
Our academic program is designed to bring students rigorous, engaging instruction in a fun, joyful environment. We do that through a relationship-driven classroom culture, thoughtful use of data, and a continuum of student support. The foundation of our approach is a comprehensive investment in faculty development.
Well-Rounded Education For All Students
Not only should school be academically rigorous, it should also be fun, safe, and structured. From arts, sports, and recess to character development, we infuse the student experience with numerous opportunities to develop interests, hobbies, and passions in and out of the classroom. We are also deeply committed to being culturally responsive.
Family and Community Partnership
Families are a child’s first and most important teachers. Together, we are partners in education. Our doors are always open and we encourage families and community partners to stop by anytime to see what’s happening in the classroom or to talk to school leaders and teachers.
Founder: Geoff Fenelus
Geoff Fenelus is the Founder and Executive Director of Promise Prep. Mr. Fenelus has served students in grades K-12 across all education sectors for 10 years. Throughout his career, he has worked as a teacher, dean, assistant principal, and turnaround principal in traditional, independent and charter schools. Mr. Fenelus worked at one of the highest-performing charter school networks across the country, where he was a school leader and lead a turnaround effort of a neighborhood school.
He is dedicated to increasing access to high-quality schools for all children and leads Promise Prep in service of that mission. He is a graduate of Relay Graduate School of Education’s National Principals Academy Fellowship and holds a certification in Teaching Urban Adolescents with Disabilities from the New York State Department of Education, an M.S. in Education from Long Island University, and a B.A. in Economics from Wheaton College.
Our Team
Kristy L. Jones
Founding Assistant principal
Kristy L. Jones is a native of Marion, Indiana, and a proud graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University where she received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. She gained her teaching experience at Lawrence North and North Central High Schools both in Indianapolis, Indiana. After nine years of teaching mathematics, she became an administrator at Andrew J. Brown Academy, a K-8 charter school on the far eastside of Indianapolis.
She started as the Dean of Intervention and after one year was promoted to Middle School Dean where she created and implemented an academic plan that significantly increased student achievement and transformed the culture of the middle school. Kristy played a major role in the school’s turnaround efforts moving the school’s state letter grade from an F to a C. Kristy is a Certified Life Coach, Certified Human Behavior Consultant and author. Kristy is passionate about education and helping others overcome adversity in order to reach their goals.
Leland Brown III,
Founding Director of Operations
Leland Brown III is a native of Galveston Island, Texas and is currently employed at the NCAA’s office of inclusion. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Bethel College – KS, with majors in English and Communication Arts with teaching endorsements in English Education & Speech and Theater Education. While at Bethel College – KS, Leland was the captain of the Thresher Football team, president of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Vice-President of Kansas National Education Association, and a Campus-wide Chaplain.
In addition, Leland sang in the Concert Choir, performed in several theater productions including operas and musicals, and award-winning speech and debater. Upon graduating from Bethel College – KS, Leland pursued professional endeavors both at the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Cincinnati. In his personal life, Leland is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and loves singing opera, playing, football, and promoting cultures of belonging via cultural education and diversity.
