Grace Schools Charter Authority, LLC authorized its fourth charter school, Otwell Miller Academy, which opened its doors in the town of Otwell, Indiana, southwest of Indianapolis in 2017. Otwell Miller Academy is a small country school that focuses on strong values and high academic standards.
The Grace College Board of Trustees approved a seven-year charter for the school on February 15, 2017. This charter with GSCA authorizes Otwell Miller Academy to be a stand-alone school, Pre-K—5th grade.
In 2015 the Pike County School Board voted to close Otwell Elementary School, a 4-star, Blue Ribbon School, consistently achieving an A rating. This rural school was the hub of the community providing employment, serving as a social, recreational, and cultural foundation. Without a school, residents and businesses often leave a community. When the closure of Otwell Elementary was announced, the people of the town came together and developed Friends of Otwell Elementary LTD, a not-for-profit entity to support the effort to reclaim the school as a charter.
The mission of Otwell Miller Academy is to develop alternative educational opportunities, improve existing educational structures and build a brighter pathway to success for children. Otwell Miller Academy believes that a life-long educational journey begins with a love of learning. However, the academy’s mission extends beyond book learning to encouraging students to embrace service above self, becoming active citizens and leading others to excellence.
