In the spring of 2019, The Indiana State Board of Education approved the creation of the South Bend Empowerment Zone due to persistent and chronic low levels of student achievement and growth. The South Bend Empowerment Zone is comprised of Wilson, Warren, Harrison, and Coquillard Elementary schools, and Navarre Middle school. Our charge from the SBOE is to dramatically transform student achievement and growth at our schools over the course of the five-year intervention. The South Bend Empowerment Zone and its Zone Chief are directly accountable to a non-profit Board. The Board consists of both local independent and district members, allowing community voice a critical role in the process of transforming our neighborhood schools. Our Vision We are a system of schools that eliminates academic and social-emotional opportunity gaps and cultivates the greatness that exists within each child to confidently pursue their dreams in our city, nation, and world. Our Mission The Empowerment Zone nurtures the mind, body, and spirit of each child by embracing equity, learning, and change for students, staff, and families. We harness the power of community and relationships to ignite transformation.