The South Bend Empowerment Zone schools to be managed by the South Bend Community School Corporation

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Starting July 17, the South Bend Empowerment Zone schools: Coquillard, Harrison, Wilson Elementary, and Navarre Middle School, will be managed by the South Bend Community School Corporation. 

In 2019, the IDOE partnered with the SBCSC in creating the South Bend Empowerment Zone to operate the five schools for a turnaround period. 

During this time, the SBCSC implemented many of the programs and policies that the Zone created based on their success. 

Some of these successes include:

• The use of IReady
• New data practices
• High dosage tutoring programs 
• School culture and safety measures

“I am tremendously proud of what our teachers, staff, and building leaders, together with the support of our Board of Directors have accomplished in service to our students and families,” said Zone Chief, Dr. Davion R. Lewis.

Lewis continues, “The student growth we have achieved would not have been possible without their dedication. I have always believed that the Zone schools should, at some point, be reintegrated to the School Corporation, and while had certainly hoped to continue the work of the Zone for another two years, given the current economic climate, I believe that the Zone and the Corporation are stronger together and we all want what is best for all students in the South Bend community.”