The mission of the Key Learning Community is to research and develop innovative practices in teaching to celebrate diversity in our population and our communities and to personalize education by building upon each student's strengths in the following intellectual areas: Linguistic, Musical, Logical-Mathematical, Spatial, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Naturalistic, Interpersonal and Intrapersonal (Gardner, 1983)

The combination of community and active parental participation with teacher and student exploration of interdisciplinary themes produce enriched learning experiences for the entire Key Learning Community. We are preparing students for service and leadership in a complex democratic society. Concentrating on the individual student evolves into a focus on community with increasing participation through service, mentors and apprenticeships. (Boyer, 1982, & 1995)

The Key Learning Community began as a K-6 program in 1987 with 150 students at Indianapolis Public School #97. The school was designated as an Indiana 2000 School in 1992 and began to shape a vision to expand through high school. Grades 7-8 were added to the school in 1993, when the Key Renaissance Middle School opened in a separate office building in downtown Indianapolis. During the 1997-1998 school year, the two programs were combined at Indianapolis Public School #2, bringing the program together for the first time. In December 1998, the Board of School Commissioners approved the Superintendents recommendation to allow the Key Learning community to expand into grades 9 through 12 by adding one grade level per year, beginning in the fall of 1999. In August 2000, the entire Key Learning Community was relocated to the Thomas A. Edison School #47, located near downtown Indianapolis and on the White River Parkway. The first graduating class was in June 2003.