About the initiative
The North Star Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for exceptional school leaders to develop and launch new charter schools for Connecticut families. During the fellowship experience, leaders will have the opportunity to sharpen their leadership, perfect their school model, and collaborate with other leaders to create a high-quality public school.
Latinos for Educational Advocacy (LEAD), a Connecticut education nonprofit, and The Mind Trust, an Indianapolis-based education nonprofit, are partnering to design and facilitate the fellowship, which will open up for applications in late fall 2024.
About LEAD
LEAD is a Connecticut-based education nonprofit dedicated to ensuring every student and parent has access to a diverse, equitable, and effective system of schools and programs. Committed to promoting an equitable society, LEAD champions the rights of students and families, striving to put every student on a path to success in college, careers, and life. Through relentless advocacy and innovative solutions, LEAD is transforming education in Connecticut, ensuring all children have the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential.
Founded in 2021, LEAD has been a driving force in advocating for charter school expansion in Connecticut, aiming to create vibrant and educated communities. LEAD's deep connections with Connecticut communities ensure that the Fellowship addresses local needs and aspirations.
“We believe every child deserves an education that inspires and empowers them. The fellowship will harness the talent and passion of exceptional leaders to create schools where every student can thrive, dream, and achieve their fullest potential.”
— Lucas Pimentel, CEO of LEAD
About The Mind Trust
The Mind Trust was founded in 2006 to address the need for more high-quality public schools in Indianapolis. Since then, the nonprofit has successfully supported the growth of public charter school options in the city and manages programs that impact students across Indiana.
The Mind Trust has developed four nonprofit and school launch initiatives that have received over 4,000 applications from entrepreneurs across 48 states and 36 countries. Through these incubators, The Mind Trust has successfully supported the launch of 15 education nonprofit organizations and more than 50 public charter and innovation network schools in Indianapolis that will serve more than 21,000 students at scale.
The Mind Trust has also expanded work to impact students outside of Indianapolis through innovative, effective out-of-school time programs. In 2022, the organization launched Indiana Learns, the state’s tutoring grant program, on behalf of the Indiana Department of Education. Indiana Learns has served more than 20,000 Hoosier students who have completed over 180,500 hours of math and reading tutoring. The Mind Trust also manages Summer Learning Labs, which provides accelerated learning and enrichment to students who need access to high-quality summer programming in 5 cities across Indiana. Since launching in 2021, students participating in Summer Learning Labs have achieved double-digit learning gains in math and reading.
“Both LEAD and The Mind Trust are passionate about ensuring this effort is done in partnership with local families, educators, and community leaders. The fellowship will combine The Mind Trust’s expertise in school incubation with LEAD’s connection to Connecticut families and deep understanding of what they want to see improve in their education system.”
— Brandon Brown, CEO of The Mind Trust