Family Guide to Public Schools in Indianapolis

Overview

There are 11 school districts (corporations) in Marion County. Indianapolis Public Schools, the state's largest school system, serves students within the old city boundaries. The remaining districts of Beech Grove, Decatur, Franklin, Lawrence, Perry, Pike, Speedway, Warren, Washington and Wayne serve the rest of the county. For a map of school district boundaries click here.

Most students in all 11 corporations are geographically assigned to a particular school. Within most districts, parents have some choice about where to send their children to school. These options are described in more detail below. Several of the corporations offer vocational training at the high school level, as well as alternative schooling options for students who are not succeeding in a traditional school setting. In addition, some schools (especially at the high school level) have more than one program of study from which students can choose. There are also several charter schools in operation in Marion County, with more scheduled to open in the coming years.

• Magnet Programs

  • IPS offers magnet programs in the areas of: Business and Finance, Communication Arts, Environmental Studies, Health Professions, Humanities, Inquiry-Based Learning, International Studies, Life Science and Wellness, Math, Science and Technology, Multiple Intelligences, Montessori, Performing and Visual Arts Telecommunications.

  • How to Apply: Interested students must apply for a Magnet program. Magnet applications are available at all IPS schools or from the district Magnet Office beginning in October of each school year. See website for more information.

• Alternative Schools

  • Alternative School Programs: The Alternative Education Department of Indianapolis Public Schools supports over 60 alternative programs for IPS students. These programs are in all middle and high schools, in satellite locations, and in separate IPS facilities. These programs are for students who do not thrive or succeed in traditional school settings. Some examples of satellite programs include:

    1. Pacers Academy, the first school sponsored by an NBA franchise, is a secondary alternative school serving at-risk students in grades 6 through 12;
       and
    2. Horizons, an alternative middle school program for students who are not succeeding in the traditional school setting.

     

• Vocational Schools

  • Day Adult High School

  • Arsenal Technical High School

MSD of Lawrence Township

• Magnet Programs

  • In addition to the neighborhood schools, the district offers three elementary magnet choices.
    1. STRETCH, the district's program for academically talented elementary and middle school students. Students are selected for this program based upon township and state criteria;
    2. Forest Glen International Studies School offers programs in global studies and Spanish immersion;
    3. Indian Creek DISCOVERY Science and Technology Magnet School promotes science education through experiential learning situations.

  • How to Apply: Students who apply for admission to Forest Glen and Indian Creek Magnets are chosen by a computerized lottery system that includes a preference for siblings and balances gender, race, and an appropriate distribution from the neighborhood elementary schools. See website for more information

• Alternative School

  • The KIND school offers several alternative programs including:

    1. a program with smaller classes and more individualized instruction for middle and high school students who have not been successful in a traditional school setting;
    2. a diploma recovery program for students who are 17 or older and wish to complete their studies;
    3. a program for seniors who need additional credits to graduate.

     

• Vocational High School

  • McKenzie Career and Technology Center

• Cash Tuition Program

• Students living outside the boundaries of the M.S.D. of Lawrence Township may apply for cash tuition status. Students who have comparable to a B average, good attendance, passing ISTEP scores and a good discipline record are eligible. Applications and further information are available by contacting Dr. Duane Hodgin, Assistant Superintendent, at dhodgin@msdlt.k12.in.us

• Limited Elementary School Choice Program

  • Perry Township offers a Limited School Choice program. Each of their elementary schools has a unique focus, including:

    1. C.H.I.L.D. centered environment;
    2. literature-based reading;
    3. nature of things;
    4. local, national, and international awareness;
    5. discovery through communication;
    6. core knowledge and math;
    7. passport to our world - exploring 6 continents through a culturally diverse curriculum;
    8. excellence in the arts;
    9. science and technology.

  • How to Apply: If you live within the Perry Township boundaries, you can apply for your child to attend an elementary of your choosing based on availability of space in that particular school. The application process begins early each spring with notification before the end of the school year. See website for more information.

• Alternative Schools

  • RISE Learning Center: The RISE Learning Center is a public alternative school which serves special needs students between the ages of five and twenty-two years old. The school community includes the suburban Marion County school corporations of Beech Grove, Decatur Township, Franklin Township and Perry Township. Recommendations for placement at the RISE Learning Center are based on individual student needs, level of social responsibility and need for a detailed behavior plan.

• Additional Programs

  • Brightwood Forest Manor Outreach Center:  The Brightwood/Forest Manor Outreach Center offers services which are designed to strengthen parental and community involvement and to increase a sense of ownership in the school district.  The  Outreach Center  also develops and implements supplemental programs for Perry North Students that are geared to improving their academic and social success.

MSD of Pike Township

• Year-round School Options

  • Pike Township offers three geographically assigned year-round elementary schools, and one year-round middle school that serves the entire district.

  • How to Apply: Parents who want their child to attend a year-round school need to apply and, if there are more applicants than spaces, students are selected by lottery.  For more information please go to the Search by Characteristic page and search by Magnet/Choice and MSD Pike Township.

• Alternative School

  • Cooperative Achievement Program: Secondary school serving students who have not been successful in the traditional school setting.

• Vocational School

  • The J. Everett Light Career Center for Vocational Education

• Cash Tuition Program

  • Students living outside the boundaries of the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township may apply for cash tuition status. Students who have comparable to a B average, good attendance, passing ISTEP scores and a good discipline record are eligible. Applications and further information are available from the District Website, http://www.msdwt.k12.in.us/Info/cashtuition.htm.

• Alternative Programs

  • Wyandotte Youth Support Academy (WYSA) is an alternative to out-of school suspension for certain disciplinary infractions. Students keep up with their school work and receive full credit. The hours are from 8:00 to 5:00 daily.

  • Opportunity School is for middle school students who have been expelled. Students attend classes held at Northview Middle school from 4:00-7:00 p.m. In addition, students must complete 15 hours of community service each week.

  • QUEST is a computer-based program for students 16 and older who have not been successful in traditional school. This program is housed at the J. Everett Light Career Center.

  • NCAP is an alternative program for high school students under 16 who have not been successful in traditional school. This program is housed at the J. Everett Light Career Center.

  • Academy 6 is a program for incoming 6th graders who need more structure to be successful at the middle school level. Students are recommended by their 5th grade teachers. This program is housed at Westlane Middle School.

• Year-round School Options

  • Warren Township offers three geographically assigned year-round elementary schools, and one year-round middle school that serves the entire district.

  • How to Apply: Parents who want their child to attend a year-round school need to apply. Approval is based on space available. If there are more applicants than spaces, students may be placed on a waiting list for later approval.  For more information please go to the Search by Characteristic page and search by Magnet/Choice and MSD Warren Township.

• Alternative Schools

  • Renaissance Alternative Education Programs: There are two components:

    1. The Renaissance School is a short-term behavioral intervention component serving high-risk youth in grades six to twelve;
    2. The Renaissance School Education Resource Center (ERC) is a long-term school continuation component.

    Both components have shortened days, compact periods, low pupil-teacher ratios, and individualized instruction. The ERC has the added flexibility of open hours, self-paced, competency-based instruction, and a student driven curriculum.

• Vocational School

  • Walker Career Center

• Wayne Enrichment Center

  • Alternative School Programs: Wayne Township offers several alternative school programs including:

    1. an alternative-to-expulsion program for students in grades 7 and 8;
    2. a K-12 special education program serving students from several corporations;
    3. a high school program for students who need a more individualized program to get their diploma.

• Vocational School

  • Area 31 Career Center

• There are several charter schools in operation in Marion County. Charter schools are public schools that are freed from most of the regulations governing traditional schools. They control their own curriculum, staffing, organization and budget. In exchange for this freedom, they must meet the highest academic standards.

  • Charter schools authorized by the Mayor’s office

  • Indianapolis Charter school authorized by Ball State University 

• Application Procedure: Charter schools are open to all students from the state of Indiana who apply. In the event that more students apply to attend a charter school than the school can accommodate, students will be selected randomly (except for preferences for siblings).

Corporation Websites:

• Beech Grove Community Schools: http://www.bgcs.k12.in.us/

• MSD of Decatur Township: http://www.msddecatur.k12.in.us/

• Franklin Township Community School Corporation: http://www.ftcsc.k12.in.us/

• MSD of Lawrence Township: http://ltschools.org

• MSD of Perry Township: http://www.msdpt.k12.in.us/

• MSD of Pike Township: http://www.pike.k12.in.us/

• School Town of Speedway: http://www.speedway.k12.in.us/

• MSD of Washington Township: http://www.msdwt.k12.in.us/

• MSD of Warren Township: http://www.warren.k12.in.us

• MSD of Wayne Township: http://www.wayne.k12.in.us/

• Indianapolis Public Schools: http://www.ips.k12.in.us/