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GreatSchools Rating

Francis W Parker School 56

Public | PK-8 | 290 students

We are best known for Montessori magnet program
 
 
Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
No new ratings
2010:
No new ratings

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4 reviews of this school


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Posted September 4, 2012

By the way i wrote the review where i attended from '97-01' and i was trying to put in five stars for excellent but for some reason the computer wasn't letting me so yes it is 5 STARS as in excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Posted February 14, 2005

I attended this school as a student from 1989-1996 and can attest to the fact that it is an amazing school. Much of the staff is still the same, and they are truly exceptional educators. I am now a junior in college and a firm believer in a Montessori education. I am not sure where I would be without school #56, but I do not believe I would be as critical a thinker, or as conscious a citizen had I not attended such an amazing school.
—Submitted by a former student


Posted March 16, 2004

My daughter has a bad attention problem. I felt like alot of schools had given up, yet when I enrolled her at 56, I was surprised. The teachers and the principal are so understanding and caring, that I was amazed I was in an inner-city school. The atmosphere and strong leadership skills are wonderful. I highly recommend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by Misty Mitchell, a parent


Posted February 18, 2004

For being an inner city school, this is an astonishingly good application of the Montessori philosophy, dealing as well as possible with the challenges offered by their environment.
—Submitted by Duke Egbert, a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
English/Language Arts

The state average for English/Language Arts was 85% in 2012.

28 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
96%

2011

 
 
68%

2010

 
 
89%
Math

The state average for Math was 79% in 2012.

28 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
68%

2011

 
 
48%

2010

 
 
81%
Scale: % passing

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Indiana used the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) assessment to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English/language arts and math, grades 4 and 6 in science, and in grades 5 and 7 in social studies. The ISTEP+ is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Indiana. The goal is for all students to score at the passing level on the test.

See Indiana's state standards

Source: Indiana Department of Education

English/Language Arts

The state average for English/Language Arts was 82% in 2012.

18 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
78%

2011

 
 
61%

2010

 
 
54%
Math

The state average for Math was 79% in 2012.

18 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
83%

2011

 
 
61%

2010

 
 
69%
Science

The state average for Science was 78% in 2012.

18 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
56%

2011

 
 
69%

2010

 
 
65%
Scale: % passing

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Indiana used the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) assessment to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English/language arts and math, grades 4 and 6 in science, and in grades 5 and 7 in social studies. The ISTEP+ is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Indiana. The goal is for all students to score at the passing level on the test.

See Indiana's state standards

Source: Indiana Department of Education

English/Language Arts

The state average for English/Language Arts was 78% in 2012.

23 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
83%

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
71%
Math

The state average for Math was 86% in 2012.

23 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
78%

2011

 
 
81%

2010

 
 
96%
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 67% in 2012.

23 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
35%

2011

 
 
77%

2010

 
 
83%
Scale: % passing

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Indiana used the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) assessment to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English/language arts and math, grades 4 and 6 in science, and in grades 5 and 7 in social studies. The ISTEP+ is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Indiana. The goal is for all students to score at the passing level on the test.

See Indiana's state standards

Source: Indiana Department of Education

English/Language Arts

The state average for English/Language Arts was 78% in 2012.

11 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
73%

2011

 
 
75%

2010

 
 
62%
Math

The state average for Math was 82% in 2012.

11 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
91%

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
92%
Science

The state average for Science was 64% in 2012.

11 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
64%

2011

 
 
47%

2010

 
 
38%
Scale: % passing

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Indiana used the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) assessment to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English/language arts and math, grades 4 and 6 in science, and in grades 5 and 7 in social studies. The ISTEP+ is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Indiana. The goal is for all students to score at the passing level on the test.

See Indiana's state standards

Source: Indiana Department of Education

English/Language Arts

The state average for English/Language Arts was 75% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
72%
Math

The state average for Math was 78% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
61%
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 71% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
39%
Scale: % passing

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Indiana used the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) assessment to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English/language arts and math, grades 4 and 6 in science, and in grades 5 and 7 in social studies. The ISTEP+ is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Indiana. The goal is for all students to score at the passing level on the test.

See Indiana's state standards

Source: Indiana Department of Education

English/Language Arts

The state average for English/Language Arts was 73% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
77%

2010

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 80% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
75%

2010

 
 
n/a
Scale: % passing

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Indiana used the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) assessment to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English/language arts and math, grades 4 and 6 in science, and in grades 5 and 7 in social studies. The ISTEP+ is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Indiana. The goal is for all students to score at the passing level on the test.

See Indiana's state standards

Source: Indiana Department of Education

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 70% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a
Scale: % passing

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Indiana used the End-of-Course (ECA) assessment to test students in middle and high school in Algebra I, Biology I, and English 10. The ECA is a criterion-referenced assessment developed specifically for students completing their instruction in Algebra I, Biology I, or English 10. The goal is for all students to score at the passing level on the test.

See Indiana's state standards

Source: Indiana Department of Education

  • In 2011-2012, this school received a grade of "B".
  • In 2010-2011, this school received a grade of "F".
  • In 2009-2010, this school received a grade of "D".

About the tests


Indiana uses the A through F School Grading System to assess the overall performance of a school. For the 2011-2012 school year, schools were graded based on performance and participation levels in state standardized tests and student growth using the Indiana Growth Model. In addition, high schools were graded on four-year (on-time) graduation rates and college and career readiness indicators including Advanced Placment exam results and industry certification exam results.

See Indiana's state standards

Source: Indiana Department of Education

GreatSchools Rating

What makes up this rating?

Academic rating
6 / 10
Climate rating
Not available

This school's GreatSchools Rating is based on academics (90%) and climate (10%). The academic rating measures students' test scores, academic growth and college readiness. The climate rating measures safety, cleanliness, parent involvement and more.

Learn more about our methodology

What is the new GreatSchools Rating?

Rating legend
Below
average
Average
Above
average

Our rating (from 1 to 10) reflects a school's overall performance. The higher the rating, the more likely the school will prepare your child for the future, so choose an above-average school (8-10) if possible. For average schools (4-7), do careful research and look for evidence that the school has high-quality programs. For below-average schools (1-3), take caution; a low-performing school may not provide the instruction or environment your child needs to learn, and you may need to supplement classroom lessons at home.

Academic rating

The academic rating is made up of equally-weighted parts: students' test scores, their academic growth (for elementary and middle schools) and their readiness for college (for high schools). The graphs below compare this school's results in each area to other schools in the city and state. Growth and college readiness ratings are coming soon, pending publication of 2012 data.
Overall academic rating

6

Average

Test score rating 2012*
This school
City
State
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Learn more about this school's test scores »

Student growth rating 2012**
This school
City
State
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
This school
Reading growth
Average
Math growth
Average

*Test scores are based on 2012 ISTEP and ECA results from the state of Indiana.

**The academic growth rating measures how schools affect student test score improvement over time in reading and math. Data is from the 2012 school year and is provided by the Indiana Department of Education.

Climate ratings

Climate rating for this school is not yet available.

Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
Black 71% 12%
Hispanic 13% 8%
White 12% 73%
Multiracial 4% 4%
American Indian N/A 0%
Asian N/A 2%
Native Hawaiin or Pacific Islander 0% 0%
Source: IN Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students participating in free or reduced-price lunch program 82%N/A47%
Special education 30%N/A15%
English learners 8%N/A5%
Source: IN Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 10N/A17
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Teacher resources

Special staff resources available to students Assistant principal(s)
Art teacher(s)
Music teacher(s)
PE instructor(s)
School social worker/counselors(s)
Teacher aid/assistant teacher
Foreign languages spoken by school staff Spanish
Read more about programs at this school
Source: Manually entered by a school official.

Special education / special needs

Level of special education programming offered
  • Basic - the school offers or partners to provide services based on the needs of individual students
Extra learning resources offered
  • Differentiated learning programs

Arts & music

Staff resources available to students
  • Art teacher(s)
  • Music teacher(s)
School facilities
  • Art room
  • Music room
Visual arts
  • Drawing / sketching
  • Painting
Music
  • Choir / Chorus
  • Instrumental music lessons

Language learning

Level of ESL/ELL programming offered
  • Moderate - the school consistently offers a full program for particular ESL/ELL needs
Languages supported by ESL/ELL programs
  • Spanish
Foreign languages spoken by staff
  • Spanish

Health & athletics

Staff resources available to students
  • PE instructor(s)
School leaders can update this information here.

School basics

School start time
  • 9:15 a.m.
School end time
  • 3:50 p.m.
Before school or after school care / program onsite
  • Before school
  • After school
School Leader's name
  • Ms Lauren Franklin
Gender
  • Coed
Is there an application process?
  • Yes
Fax number
  • (317) 226-3370

Programs

Instructional and/or curriculum models used

Don't understand these terms?
  • Montessori
Specific academic themes or areas of focus

Don't understand these terms?
  • None
Bi-lingual or language immersion programs offered

Don't understand these terms?
  • No
Level of special education programming offered
  • Basic - the school offers or partners to provide services based on the needs of individual students
Foreign languages taught
  • None
Level of ESL/ELL programming offered
  • Moderate - the school consistently offers a full program for particular ESL/ELL needs
Languages supported by ESL/ELL programs
  • Spanish

Resources

Staff resources available to students
  • Art teacher(s)
  • Assistant principal(s)
  • Music teacher(s)
  • PE instructor(s)
  • School social worker/counselors(s)
  • Teacher aid/assistant teacher
Foreign languages spoken by staff
  • Spanish
Extra learning resources offered
  • Differentiated learning programs
  • Remediation
  • Title I Schoolwide program (SWP)
Transportation provided for students by the school / district
  • Buses/vans for students only
School facilities
  • Art room
  • Cafeteria
  • Library
  • Music room
  • Playground
School leaders can update this information here.

Sports

Boys sports
  • None
Girls sports
  • None

Arts & music

Visual arts
  • Drawing / sketching
  • Painting
Music
  • Choir / Chorus
  • Instrumental music lessons
Performing arts
  • None
Media arts
  • None
School leaders can update this information here.

Upcoming Events

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School culture

Dress Code
  • Dress code
Bullying policy
  • This school has a bullying and/or cyber bullying policy in place.
Parent involvement
  • Attend parent nights
  • Join PTO/PTA
  • Organize fundraising events (school auction, bake sales, etc.)
  • Volunteer in the classroom
  • Volunteer time after school
School leaders can update this information here.
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

2353 Columbia Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46205
Website: Click here
Phone: (317) 226-4256

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