21st Century Charter School at Gary

06/06/2026

Hey 21C families, did you hear the truth behind the decision for the Bears moving to Indiana? I knew they were coming when I received a call from George (you know, McCaskey) early Friday morning. He wanted to be sure he understood the benefits we offer at 21C. He wanted to verify that our school actually pays the college tuition for our students and that students at 21C actually earn college degrees BEFORE graduating from our high school. I assured him that our students do indeed earn full college degrees, career certifications and that four of our students earned full bachelor’s degrees. I assured him that we have “Scholarship Plus” agreements with IU NW, Purdue NW and Ivy Tech to make sure this happens. And, I told George that all of the children of his employees would have one-stop schooling since we provide PreK through college now. He was completely blown away.

He said, “Kevin, the state of Indiana is providing a great tax incentive for us to move to Indiana, but the real reason I think Indiana is a better place for the Bears is your school.”

I told him I really appreciate his support and we look forward to serving his families.

Hours later, Kevin called. You know, Kevin Warren (he has me on speed dial) just to confirm the conversation I just had with George. I assured him it was true. Told him to google us in the NWI Times, or check out the 2017 CBS Evening News piece on Raven Osborne earning a full bachelor’s degree while in our high school (the first in the nation) or to look up Khaya Njumbe and Abram Lewis, two more of our students to do that in 2024. Or look up Tierra Cunningham who did it in 2025. He said, “wait a minute, I’m pulling it up right now.” He was blown away!

He said he was finally convinced moving the Bears to NW Indiana was the right call.

A few moments after hanging up the phone Governor Braun called and thanked me for helping bring the Bears to Indiana. Speaker Todd Huston called, too.

Next thing I know, the NWIndiana Times reported the Bears were coming to Indiana.

Fun stuff. Happy to help.

Now you know the rest of the story. And yes, that’s the truth, the whole truth so help me God. :)

05/31/2026

Dear 21C Families, I thought I’d share a link to a Columbia University study on the effects of dual enrollment. As you know, 21C has pioneered dual enrollment in Gary. Our approach is quite different, too. We place students on real college campuses while in our high school so that they can get the real experience, learn the difference between high school and college expectations, how college professors work, learn time management and more while receiving the support from our high school counselors, social workers and teachers.

Our approach is working, too. Students who earn full associate degrees while in our high school usually complete their bachelor’s within 3 years after high school.

Our model is gaining national attention, too. And, other communities are wanting GEO’s model to serve their children.

Nonetheless, I wanted to share this study with you just in case you want to read more about the power of dual enrollment and what researchers have to say about its impact.

It’s a long report, but perhaps you will find it comforting to know that your school, 21C, is on the right path.

Peace.

05/31/2026

Let’s give this place some love. Can’t wait to try it myself.

05/29/2026

Very excited to hear the hiring of Mr. Abdiel Santiago as our first Band Director. 21st Century is growing a full fledged music program to include marching band, drum corps, jazz, choir, and more. Buckle up. This will be fun!

Welcome Mr. Santiago.

05/28/2026

🏀 Welcome Coach Pete! 🏀

21st Century Academy is proud to announce Anton “Coach Pete” Williams as our new Head Boys Varsity Basketball Coach.

A respected educator, mentor, and coach with more than 15 years of experience, Coach Pete brings a deep passion for developing student-athletes both on and off the court. A proud graduate of East Chicago Central High School, he was a standout three-year varsity player who helped lead his team to sectional and regional championships, along with a memorable Semi-State appearance.

Following high school, Coach Pete continued his basketball career at Kankakee Community College on a full scholarship, where he became one of the team’s top shooters and earned an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts.

Coach Pete is committed to building a program centered on discipline, accountability, hard work, and family. His vision is to develop young men who excel academically, compete with pride, and represent 21st Century Academy with character and integrity. He looks forward to creating a winning culture while preparing student-athletes for success beyond basketball.
Please join us in welcoming Coach Pete to the 21st Century Academy family! 🔴⚫🏀

05/27/2026

So this happened last night. Yep, I’m angry. The person who did this did this to every student and family attending 21st Century Academy. The school’s activity van transported students to athletic events. It transported students to college and career classes. It transported students to field trips.

No more.

Very disappointing.

I’m offering a $1,000 reward to the individual providing information leading to the arrest of the responsible party. Direct message me.

And yes, this has been reported to the authorities and an investigation is underway.

05/16/2026

Yesterday, we proudly celebrated the incredible dedication, loyalty, and impact of our employees who have served our school community for more than five years!

Your commitment to our students, families, and mission has helped shape the culture and success of 21st Century Academy. Through every challenge, achievement, and milestone, you have continued to show passion, resilience, and heart.

Thank you for the countless hours, the relationships you’ve built, and the difference you make every single day. Our school is stronger because of your service and dedication to excellence.

Please join us in recognizing and celebrating these outstanding team members for their years of commitment to our scholars and community! ❤️🖤

05/12/2026

PreK is coming to 21C! We've had an overwhelming response to a recent post about our plans to add PreK. Thank you! Definitely share the news! We're still putting plans in place but we will be enrolling for this coming school year 2026-2027. We will be sending out updates periodically over the next few weeks. If you'd like to be on the list to receive these updates, simply fill out this short form and we'll make sure you're included. https://bit.ly/4wFHUXM

Welcome to 21st Century Academy, where we prepare students for college and beyond. Discover our dedicated educators, innovative programs, and unique opportunities for early college courses. Enroll today for a brighter future.

05/12/2026

Congratulations to our Culinary students!!

Every student in the program successfully passed their ServSafe Food Handler and or ServSafe Manager certifications, achieving a 100% pass rate. This is a significant milestone because these industry-recognized certifications prepare students for real-world food service careers while reinforcing critical standards in food safety, sanitation, and professionalism.
Even more impressive, two students earned perfect scores on their certification exams, demonstrating exceptional mastery of the material and a strong commitment to excellence. These results highlight not only the students’ determination, but also the strength and effectiveness of our culinary training program in preparing students for industry success.

05/12/2026

Well, it’s official. 21C is going to offer PreK starting this year. Let’s roll!!! 4 year olds and up.