By Juli Metzger—
MUNCIE, IN—A community-wide effort to improve student success in Muncie is gaining national attention after being highlighted in the 2025 StriveTogether Annual Report for its measurable gains in early literacy and high school graduation rates.
The report spotlights Cradle to Career Muncie, a cross-sector partnership that has aligned schools, nonprofits, higher education institutions, faith organizations and local leaders around a shared goal: improving educational outcomes and expanding economic opportunity for children and families across Delaware County. The initiative is being led by the George and Frances Ball Foundation, serving as the backbone organization for the community-wide effort.
At the center of the recognition is Muncie Community Schools’ dramatic improvement in early grade reading. During the 2024-2025 school year, districtwide reading proficiency climbed from 69.8 percent to 79.2 percent, a 9.4-percentage-point increase that outpaced statewide gains. Grissom Elementary posted one of the most significant improvements in Indiana, increasing its third-grade reading proficiency rate from 46.6 percent to 79 percent in a single year.
StriveTogether leaders described Muncie as an example of how place-based partnerships can drive long-term systems change when communities align around shared data, coordinated strategies and collective accountability. The national organization’s annual report noted that more than 70 organizations and 200 individuals participate in Cradle to Career Muncie’s work through The Opportunity Blueprint: 2030, a strategic plan shaped by more than 150 local voices.
Local leaders say the progress reflects years of intentional collaboration.
“If our kids are not reading at grade level, they will likely find it difficult to find success in math, science or social studies,” said Kortney Zimmerman, Vice President and Chief Program Officer of the George and Frances Ball Foundation and backbone staff member for Cradle to Career Muncie. “We embraced a comprehensive focus on literacy and invited everyone in – Ball State University students, churches, volunteers – because it takes the whole community.”
The partnership’s approach extended beyond classrooms. Ball State mobilized practicum students and student teachers, faith-based organizations trained volunteers, and out-of-school providers aligned programming to reinforce literacy goals. Community leaders also launched a citywide literacy campaign inspired by successful models in Philadelphia and Wisconsin, helping elevate reading as a shared community priority.
A key driver of Muncie’s success has been its use of real-time data. Unlike many communities, Muncie embedded its data team directly within the school district, allowing educators and community partners to quickly identify challenges and respond with coordinated solutions. When data revealed student mobility rates were nearly five times the state average, the district implemented a uniform instructional schedule across all elementary schools to reduce learning disruption for transferring students.
The annual report also highlighted gains in secondary education. Muncie Central High School’s graduation rate increased from 86 percent to 90 percent in 2024-25, with notable progress among student groups that have historically faced barriers. Graduation rates for Black female students reached 100 percent, while rates for Black male students climbed to 98 percent.
StriveTogether President and CEO Jennifer Blatz said the Muncie story demonstrates what can happen when communities work together around a shared vision for young people. The organization’s national network now includes 70 partnerships across 28 states focused on helping more children reach critical milestones from cradle to career.
As Muncie continues implementing The Opportunity Blueprint: 2030 strategic plan, community leaders say the work is about more than short-term academic gains. It is about building a stronger foundation for long-term economic mobility and ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Juli Metzger is a former educator and newspaper editor and publisher. She is Chair of the Indiana Youth Institute Board of Directors, Project Leadership Board of Directors, and on the C2Cmuncie.org Collaborative Action Network team.
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