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GreatSchools Rating

James A Garfield School 31

Public | K-7 | 437 students
“We are best known for partnership with Eli Lilly & Co.”
 

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  • Moved back to Indianapolis Indiana from Martinsville Indiana, by Boy was in...

  • My two boys just moved from township. We are one street over that makes us IPS.

  • I moved to this school from a township school. My child was being concidered...

 
 
 

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Last modified
Community Rating

2 stars

Based on 4 ratings
Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
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2010:
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3 reviews of this school

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Posted September 16, 2012
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Moved back to Indianapolis Indiana from Martinsville Indiana, by Boy was in school in Martinsville and he was doing good in school there but when we moved back to Indy we found out he was behind on what they were doing in class in Indy he quickly got caught up on things and now doing great they worked with my son and now he is doing a lot more and learning all he needs and more we love this school they have a great staff
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted January 13, 2011
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My two boys just moved from township. We are one street over that makes us IPS. My son has a very strong IEP. They started right after thanksgiving. Well then the school had a sceret santa gift shop. My two boy bought a tool kit. They brong it home where my 8 year old looks at me and says "MOM THIS HAS A RAZOR BLADE IN IT" I call and talk to the principal. He states " Oh there were only 40 sold" WHAT R U FOR REAL????" I ask him to send a letter to all parents letting them know they sold their child a razor blade and it could be under their bed. NO he said we cant do that. I am so up set with that. If my child would have brong that to school I would have CPS at my door step asking why I am not being a mother and let my child get his hands on that. But its ok for the school.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted December 27, 2008
Report it

I moved to this school from a township school. My child was being concidered for a gifted program. We moved into IPS district so I could get closer to my job. My student is now failing. The focus is not in the classroom where it should be. I am now looking for a private school. I understand the school can not do anything about it, their biggest concern is not in the classroom. As sad as it is, it is on the safety and well being of every student who walks through that door. Sadly, my childs education suffers because of that. Please do your research before you move. All I can do, is fight for an education for my son, and find him a better school. Even if I have to pay for it.
—Submitted by a parent

Write your own review

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.

50 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
82%

2011

 
 
56%

2010

 
 
50%
Math

The state average for Math was 79% in 2012.

50 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
88%

2011

 
 
57%

2010

 
 
46%
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.

68 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
60%

2011

 
 
51%

2010

 
 
47%
Math

The state average for Math was 79% in 2012.

69 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
68%

2011

 
 
35%

2010

 
 
41%
Science

The state average for Science was 78% in 2012.

69 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
55%

2011

 
 
42%

2010

 
 
49%
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.

81 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
46%

2011

 
 
50%

2010

 
 
40%
Math

The state average for Math was 86% in 2012.

80 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
61%

2011

 
 
69%

2010

 
 
56%
Social Studies

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

81 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
20%

2011

 
 
32%

2010

 
 
25%
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.

106 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
40%

2011

 
 
45%

2010

 
 
40%
Math

The state average for Math was 82% in 2012.

107 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
50%

2011

 
 
66%

2010

 
 
66%
Science

The state average for Science was 64% in 2012.

107 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
22%

2011

 
 
33%

2010

 
 
19%
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

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 78% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a
Social Studies

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

2012

 
 
n/a

2011

 
 
n/a

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 "C".
  • 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
5 / 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
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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

5

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
Above 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
White 60% 73%
Hispanic 22% 8%
Black 11% 12%
Multiracial 8% 4%
American Indian N/A 0%
Asian N/A 2%
Native Hawaiin or Pacific Islander N/A 0%
Source: IN Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students participating in free or reduced-price lunch program 89%N/A47%
Special education 22%N/A15%
English learners 17%N/A5%
Source: IN Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 11N/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
  • Moderate - the school consistently offers a full program for particular special education needs

Arts & music

Staff resources available to students
  • Art teacher(s)
  • Music teacher(s)
School facilities
  • Art room
  • Music room

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 facilities
  • Gym
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
  • Ann Toombs
Gender
  • Coed
Is there an application process?
  • No
Fax number
  • (317) 226-3336

Programs

Instructional and/or curriculum models used

Don't understand these terms?
  • Standards-based
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
  • Moderate - the school consistently offers a full program for particular special education needs
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
  • Remediation
Transportation provided for students by the school / district
  • Buses/vans for students only
School facilities
  • Art room
  • Cafeteria
  • Gym
  • Library
  • Music room
  • Playground
School leaders can update this information here.

Sports

Boys sports
  • None
Girls sports
  • None

Arts & music

Visual arts
  • None
Music
  • None
Performing arts
  • None
Media arts
  • None
School leaders can update this information here.

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Tips for understanding school culture

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!
Map thumbnail

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307 Lincoln St
Indianapolis, IN 46225
Website: Click here
Phone: (317) 226-4231

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