IPS, Fishers Startup to Partner

Thursday, April 28, 2022 04:25 PM EDT Updated: Thursday, April 28, 2022 10:25 PM EDT
By Alex Brown, Assistant Managing Editor
(photo courtesy of our partners at WFYI)

Indianapolis Public Schools is teaming up with a Fishers-based education tech company. The district says the partnership with AfterSchool HQ aims to increase access to extracurricular after-school activities for students throughout the city.

IPS says parents will have direct access to extracurricular options through AfterSchool HQ’s online platform. Additionally, community organizations will be able to utilize the platform to promote their programs.

“The ability to see all of a school’s extracurricular programs, as well as offerings for students throughout the city, will hopefully increase participation in these enrichment opportunities,” IPS Superintendent Dr. Aleesia Johnson said in written remarks. “The AfterSchool HQ platform is not only user-friendly, but also allows for easy selection and sign-up processes, as well as the ability to also pay participation fees online.”

Darye Henry, co-founder and chief executive officer of AfterSchool HQ, says Indiana is the fourth lowest state in the country for after-school participation. He says the goal is to help IPS get to 40% of students taking part in after-school programs.

“Two of the biggest barriers to after-school success are access to program options and registration accessibility,” said Henry. “Our platform will make it easier for parents to find programs across Indianapolis and sign up.”

You can learn more about the partnership by clicking here.

Last month, AfterSchool HQ closed on a $1.24 seed round of funding, which the company said would be used to scale its product and sales teams. Henry was also a nominee for the Rising Entrepreneur Award at the 2021 TechPoint Mira Awards.