2025 Niche Best Schools

School Safety

A thorough School Safety Plan is in place, along with a secure Building Level Emergency Response Plan. Routine drills of the procedures within this plan prepare staff and students for any emergency that may arise while school is in session, including infectious disease, fire, tornado, earthquake, presence of assault rifles or bombs.
 
Through the secured school safety grant matching program and the nonprofit security grant, Inspire Academy has invested over $170,000 into school safety over the course of the past few years.  All exterior and interior doors at Inspire Academy remain locked at all times. Every year, Inspire Academy increases the percentage of the facilities covered by security cameras and security film. Inspire Academy contracts security personnel as deemed necessary based on indicators of escalated risk locally, regionally, or nationally.  Additionally, all Inspire Academy classrooms are equipped with anti-intruder hardware, and all Inspire Academy personnel are equipped with access to software that activates immediate emergency response protocols.  All interior locks are being modernized and replaced for an increased security barrier. Inspire Academy has central communication systems and protocols that equips leadership to communicate with parents and guardians rapidly and clearly in case of emergency.
 

Policy on deadly weapons, firearm, or destructive device:

No person, including adults and visitors, shall possess, use or distribute a weapon when in a school building or on a School Location. Inspire Academy will act to enforce this policy and take appropriate action against any person who violates this policy. Inspire Academy shall notify the appropriate law enforcement agency if any individual is identified as bringing a deadly weapon, firearm or destructive device on school property; or is in possession of a deadly weapon, firearm, or destructive device on school property. Any member of the public who violates this policy shall be informed of the policy and required to leave the school location. Depending on the circumstances, the individual may be barred from future entry to school locations. In addition, if the person is a student in another School District, that School District may be contacted concerning the policy violation.

Reporting of deadly weapons, firearm, or destructive device:

The Executive Director shall notify the appropriate law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the property where the school is located if a student is identified as bringing a deadly weapon, firearm or destructive device to school or on school property; or is in possession of a deadly weapon, firearm, or destructive device on school property. Upon receiving notification under this subsection, the law enforcement agency shall begin an investigation and take appropriate action. A student with disabilities (as defined in IC 20-35-7-7) who possesses a firearm on school property is subject to procedural safeguards under 20 U.S.C. 1415 but is not exempt from mandated reporting and/or the consequences related to such possession.

Seclusion and Restraint Plans

Inspire Academy’s internal discipline procedures are built around the de-escalation principles of the Crisis Prevention Institute.  All teachers are expected to follow the prevention and intervention strategies outlined in the plan and according to staff training.

The primary prevention focus is for teachers to be aware of students in the anxiety phase of escalation so that they can provide support before students get to the defensive stage of escalation.

In rare cases, students escalate so quickly that prevention does not work and seclusion and/or restraint are necessary for student safety.  Physical seclusion and restraint are only to be used in cases where required to ensure the safety of the escalated student and/or the safety of those around them, and only personnel certified in restraint may implement physical restraints.  Physical seclusion and restraint should never be used simply to achieve compliance with a demand.

In cases when seclusion or restraint are engaged, the following documentation must be completed within one business day of the incident:

  • All Restraint and Seclusion documentation needs to be turned into reception, who must both enter the documentation into the student information system and ensure the documentation gets to the parent or guardian of the student.

  • Titles for all seclusion and restraint docs must include the words “Seclusion and Restraint” in the student information system.

In cases when seclusion or restraint are engaged, school administration must conduct post-crisis sessions with all parties involved within two business days of the incident.  Completion of post-crisis sessions must be documented.