1999
February – Bart Peterson, candidate for mayor, testifies in favor of charter schools before the Indiana House Education Committee, chaired by State Rep. Greg Porter of Indianapolis.
March 23– Peterson unveils his detailed proposal for charter schools in Indianapolis and commits to lobbying the state legislature for charter schools, if elected mayor.
2000
September 26 – Mayor Peterson hosts local superintendents, educators, legislators and business, neighborhood and community leaders at a free "Charter Schools Luncheon" to make the case for charter schools in Indiana.
2001
January 29 – Peterson joins with the 11 Marion County public school superintendents at the Indiana Statehouse in support of charter schools legislation.
February 14 – Peterson testifies in favor of charter schools before the Indiana House Education Committee, chaired by Rep. Porter.
March 28 – Peterson testifies in favor of charter schools before both the Indiana House and Senate Education Committees, chaired by Rep. Porter and State Sen. Teresa Lubbers, also of Indianapolis.
May 2 – Gov. Frank O'Bannon signs charter schools into law. The mayor of Indianapolis becomes the first mayor in the nation to be granted authority to charter a school.
May 3 – Peterson announces City of Indianapolis' process for chartering schools.
May 31 — Peterson appoints Indianapolis Charter Schools Board.
July – Peterson sponsors three "Charter Schools Workshops" with Indiana Black Expo, the University of Indianapolis School of Education and the YMCA.
July 10 – Charter Schools Board approves application form
July 19 – Charter school application released.
October 1 – Mayor's Office began accepting applications for 2002-2003 school year.
October 8 – Mayor's Office receives 21 charter school applications. Three were rejected for failure to include information required by state law.
October 22-24 – Remaining applicants informally interviewed by various members of the Mayor's charter schools staff, the Charter Schools Board, the City-County Council and several of the nation's most experienced charter schools experts.
November 13-15 – Charter Schools Board holds formal public hearings for final 11 applicants.
December 3 – Charter Schools Board recommends four applicants for charters.
December 6 – Mayor Peterson selects Flanner House Elementary School, 21st Century Community School, Christel House Academy and The Imani School for Excellence as Indiana's first charter recipients ever. Submit to City-County Council for ratification.
December 17 – Council vote on ratification.
December - Begin process of drafting charters for mayor-approved schools.
2002
January-February – Formally grant charters to schools.
Fall – Mayor-sponsored charter schools open in Indianapolis.