We are thrilled to share exciting news with our Orchard community: The Orchard School has received a $223,000 implementation grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. as part of its Marion County K-12 Private Schools Initiative. This funding opportunity supports projects that strengthen student academic achievement and enhance well-being, with a focus on long-term success.

 

Thanks to this generous support, we are launching Resilient Educators, Resilient Students, a schoolwide initiative that reflects our commitment to addressing mental health challenges that impact students’ academic success and post-secondary outcomes. Data from front-end evaluation of the Orchard community, as well as national data gathered during the planning phase, highlights the critical need for school-based mental health initiatives. The Orchard School has developed a holistic approach that integrates social-emotional learning curricula, targeted professional development and coaching for faculty, and family education. The program includes strategic partnerships with child development and mental health experts, the use of research-based SEL programs such as Fly Five and RULER, and expanded training in Responsive Classroom methods. Our goal is to ensure a thriving, supportive environment where students can succeed academically and socially while building long-term emotional resilience.  

 

 

This work is fueled by our mission to educate and develop the whole child. This initiative allows us to build on that promise by ensuring every student has the emotional tools they need to succeed—academically, socially, and beyond. It also reinforces our commitment to supporting our teachers and families, so they can be the steady foundation our children need.

 

“This investment will deeply impact Orchard’s ability to nurture resilient students and support passionate educators,” said Edward B. Hollinger, Head of School. “We are incredibly grateful to Lilly Endowment for recognizing the value of holistic education and believing in the strength of our community.”

 

We are proud to be one of 36 private schools that Lilly Endowment is funding through the Marion County K-12 Private Schools Initiative. A separate but complementary initiative is supporting public schools in the county. The program at Orchard will unfold over the next five years and will be shaped by ongoing input from our students, teachers, and families.

 

The Orchard community will be an integral part of implementing and sustaining this initiative. If you are interested in learning more about the program or how you can be involved, please reach out to Director of Major Gifts & Grants Amanda Goedde at agoedde@orchard.org or call 317-713-5703.

Work continues in planning capital projects that build upon the important work that will start this summer with the Resilient Educators, Resilient Students program. Orchard’s concept for capital improvements has been selected to advance in the competitive third phase of the Private School’s Initiative. This work to bolster our students’ academic success and post-secondary outcomes by focusing on mental health and nature-based learning is fueled by Orchard’s longstanding commitment to using “nature as teacher” to fulfill our mission to develop and educate the whole child. We look forward to sharing more about these plans and the ways our community can be involved.

 

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. The Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, and maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.