Superintendent Launched Indiana Microschool Network
The statewide collaborative aims to attract families to schools while providing administrative back-office support.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Homeschooling
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Eastern Hancock superintendent George Philhower launched the Indiana Microschool Collaborative as a statewide network of microschools in 2025. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity acts as a local education agency to manage schools across Indiana.
Why it matters
The network was created to help retain and attract families in response to shrinking enrollment trends within traditional districts. By providing back-office support, the collaborative ensures financial stability for the microschools it manages.
The Indiana Microschool Collaborative currently oversees five schools, including one site located in a campground. That specific location already has 140 students on its waiting list.
The players
George Philhower
George Philhower is the superintendent of the Eastern Hancock district who spearheaded the creation of the Indiana Microschool Collaborative.
Indiana Microschool Collaborative
The Indiana Microschool Collaborative is a nonprofit local education agency that provides charter-based educational services across the state.
The details
The network utilizes state law to obtain charters and forms innovation agreements with local districts to co-locate microschools in existing facilities. The Eastern Hancock district, which serves 1,200 students, currently sees 40% of its student body residing outside of its official boundaries.
Timeline
A microschool opened within a campground facility in 2025.
The campground microschool reached a 140-student waitlist by the end of 2025.
Culture Shift
The move toward statewide microschool networks reflects a broader shift in public education toward decentralized models and innovation agreements. This collaborative strategy marks a departure from traditional district-only operations by prioritizing flexible, small-scale learning environments.
Families in Indiana may gain access to new, smaller educational environments co-located within existing community facilities. These microschools offer an alternative to traditional district schooling for parents seeking specific learning structures.
The takeaway
The rise of statewide microschool networks demonstrates how districts are evolving to maintain enrollment by diversifying their educational footprint. Parents should monitor local innovation agreements to identify if new microschools are opening near them.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving landscape of education options in the Indiana Homeschooling section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Education Week.
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