Indy charter to open music-based elementary

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – An Indianapolis charter is set to open a new elementary school that features music-based education.

Tindley Accelerated Schools announced this week the opening of Tindley Genesis Academy. It will be Indiana’s first accelerated elementary with a music-based curriculum.

The school will serve students from kindergarten through third grade when it opens this fall. It will be located at 2540 North Capitol Avenue.

School officials say students at Tindley Genesis will engage in concentrated music instruction which includes classes in instrumental music, singing, piano, and general music. That’s in addition to their curriculum in literacy, math, science, social studies, writing, and the arts.

Celeste Norris is a first grade teacher at Tindley Renaissance who will teach at Genesis. She says music can be a learning tool to keep kids engaged.

Norris and other teachers will incorporate songs throughout the day, even outside of daily music lessons.

“Incorporating the vocals and the movement helps move it into long term memory,” Norris said. “So when I say, what is a noun, the child is going to be able to recite the definition of a noun on the spot.”

School principal Todd Hawks points to research showing music increases brain development in kids. A study from the Arts Education Partnership suggests that exposure to music can make students more successful in reading, writing and math. Hawks said those findings have helped shape Tindley’s rhythm for a new school.

“I think it’s going to really draw parents into wanting their kids to be involved in a school that is so engaging and so interactive on a daily basis,” he said.

Students will also have opportunities for music education before and after the school day. Tindley Genesis is working with Meridian Music, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Dance Kaleidoscope. On May 30, the community can donate instruments at Meridian Music – located at 12725 Old Meridian Street in Carmel – for students to use.

If you’re interested in enrolling your child at Tindley Genesis, call 317-777-6677 or email at enrollment@tindley.org.

This will be Tindley Accelerated Schools’ sixth school.