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GreatSchools Rating

Fall Creek Valley Middle School

Public | 7-8 | 1084 students

We are best known for our diversity and academic rigor
 
 
Last modified
Community Rating

3 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
Based on 1 rating
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
Based on 4 ratings
2010:
Based on 1 rating

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16 reviews of this school


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Posted January 25, 2013

I LOVE!!!!!! Fall Creek Valley Middle School's excellentent achivement in academics and preforming arts. For starters fcv choir is fabulous they sound like angles and are astounding,band/jazz is groving,piano is lovely,orchestra soothing,musical production is so amazing they have grown a lot from the partner scences their are actors that have came a long way and everyone else too. Now fro classes they are teaching a lot laungue arts is on the memoir section,social studies is on southwest asia, math is on irregular shapes ,science is on the eath and it's part. So as this closes up my review fall creek valley is an excellent school to send you kids to so don't hesitate. The princapal and vices and guidence councolours are verry helpful and they are very nice too. Finally the school is awesome so don't be afraid to vist. Shannon Jones, Alison kunkel teach musical production Alison Kunkel also teaches general music, choir ,glee club after school on wendays,Shannon Jones also teaches piano, the school rocks. THATS MY REVIEW OF FALL CREEK VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME OF THE BEARCATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Posted November 9, 2011

Despite all the previous posting, This is a wonderful school. Their comments must come from the problem kids. This is a prime location in Lawrence. wanted to set this school straight.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 27, 2011

This is truly a pathetic school. I went there until the second semester of eighth grade (I'm now in tenth grade), and I have to say I feel so sorry for the teachers for having to put up with such unruliness everyday that are impossible to control. No-one pays attention to the classwork that's almost completely worthless anyway for serving almost no educational value and is rather disorganized and the students are all expected to learn fully from short-hand notes (and they wonder why their test scores are so low) on a marker board. It's absolutely hallacious in the halls and my sister was once even thrown to a locker and strangled. The time I attended the school was so miserable for me, the only time I was somewhat pleased was when I was in ARR for being late a few times and had almost no contact with anyone. It also didn't that in my time there from sixth to eigth grade, they changed the time to arrive from 7:50 to eventually 7:20.


Posted August 23, 2011

TRULY the worst school i have been to. I could never get pas the ghetto kids in the hallways because they would always stop to talk right in the middle of the hallways. when im in class, the teachers can NOT control the kids. ESPECIALLY MS.CHEEK.. if your son or daughter EVER has a class with her. do not let them go.. I am NOT joking around. I learned more in my lang. arts class in 2ND GRADE then her class. She is a complete amatuer when she teaches. She has OCD. so she tapes ALL the chairs, desk, tables, etc in nuerical order. and she makes everything way too complicated. I now pity those who have her class


Posted August 23, 2011

WORST school eVer.... i am now in 9th grade i used to go to Craig but i had to go to FALL CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL :( i honestly think that craig was not the choice to shutdown. fall creek stinks...literally. the hallways are way to crowded becuase of a the ghetto kids. i even got my ipod stolen OUT OF MY LOCKER.. isnt school supposed to be safe? The administrators NEVER even tried to look for it. IT wasnt even my fault! DO NOT Go to THIS "SCHOOL"


Posted June 24, 2010

THis school is too crowded and there teachers are horrible. I think they should have closed Fall CReek instead of Craig bacause Craig had better test scores.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 3, 2010

Too crowded, too many teachers that enter grades only at the last minute and then get angry when you let them know they made a mistake. Focus is totally on the kids at the bottom - all resources go to them and the other kids are left in classes of 38+ kids (yes, this is true - my daughter had 38 kids in her classes for 3 years - some rooms did not even have enough chairs). Now they have made the wise decision to make the class sizes even bigger - more kids per class, almost no electives at all, forget getting on a sports team next year when there are 12 spots available for 700+ kids. Overall there is just a total lack of concern for what anyone cares about other than administrators. This school is the worst in L.T. and has been adrift for the 4 years+.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 25, 2008

The school is way too crowded. The students don't have enough time to eat lunch because of split lunch periods. There are some good teachers but they do not have time to meet the needs of the students. There is also a diverse selection of classes; however, only a few select students are able to get in due to classroom size. If you try to walk in the halls between classes, it is like a mob--wall to wall students (and many not properly behaving). My daughter just completed 8th grade there and my son went there for 3 years. The administrators do not always listen to the children and parents, but always take the side of the teachers-even when proven otherwise.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 4, 2008

The teachers i feel never listen to you, i feel im trying to get my point across but my teachers are too busy to talk to eachother. I feel the teachers dont care at all about what im doing. I remeber going to Toliver Elementry school and Skiles test they would tell me how i am doing but here they dont tell me anything
—Submitted by a student


Posted December 21, 2007

teachers were great, there 2 year advanced stretch program was wonderful for my daughter. it was great to see them have something for the gifted children instead of leaving them behind and only focusing on the trobled kids like most school do. The principal, guidance counselors and teachers were awesome.
—Submitted by cindy jones, a parent


Posted October 22, 2007

this school is awesome. I am a student at Fall Creek Valley and those teachers are the bom. My fave teachers are Mrs. Chan and Mrs. Galyan
—Submitted by a student


Posted August 2, 2007

I am a student at fcv in my opinion the teachers have alot of ego problems most of the stuff they do seems to be to make the look good. From the 1st day of school to the day istep starts we review from the previous grade to try to get scores high(they still are not pretty). If you want your kid to be able to take care of themselves send your kid to fcv because teacher guidance is very low. I dont think they can get there priorities strait. Better lunches wouldnt hurt either
—Submitted by a student


Posted April 2, 2007

I have to agree - academic standards in Fall Creek Valley are very low. Teaches are more absorb in passing the day by.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 21, 2007

I am not happy with this school and will be sending my kid to another school next year.The school looks the other way when kids are bullied.My kid earned F's in 3 classes due to lack of attention from the teachers.Stay away would be my advise.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 6, 2005

I am 12 years old and i go to FCV. I have been going there for a year and my brother has been there for 2 years and my sister has been there for 3 years. It is a really safe place and good school sum teachers are cool and some are not you learn alot of stuff in that school. well if you have questions just e-mail me and ask me.
—Submitted by a student


Posted June 22, 2004

I was pleased with the school. The teachers were caring,and fair. The academics are good, although I wish they had more TD classess. My child would have been challenged in TD classes, as they test scores were high, but because of class size they couldn't get into the class. I wish the school had smaller math and science clasess. Wish list - more emphasis on the girls sports teams, many girls would be able to participate in sports if the same effort and time would be given as the boys program.
—Submitted by 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 75% in 2012.

499 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
71%

2011

 
 
75%

2010

 
 
63%
Math

The state average for Math was 78% in 2012.

501 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
71%

2011

 
 
70%

2010

 
 
59%
Social Studies

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

489 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
64%

2011

 
 
60%

2010

 
 
56%
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.

506 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
74%

2011

 
 
69%

2010

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 80% in 2012.

508 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
64%

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.

216 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
99%

2011

 
 
99%

2010

 
 
85%
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 "D".
  • In 2009-2010, this school received a grade of "F".

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
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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

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
Above 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 40% 73%
Black 38% 12%
Hispanic 14% 8%
Multiracial 6% 4%
Asian 1% 2%
American Indian N/A 0%
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 50%N/A47%
Special education 12%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 19N/A17
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Teacher resources

Special staff resources available to students Assistant principal(s)
Art teacher(s)
Gifted specialist(s)
Instructional aide(s)/coach(es)
Music teacher(s)
PE instructor(s)
Nurse(s)
Poetry/Creative writing teacher(s)
Robotics/Technology specialist(s)
Security personnel
School psychologist
School social worker/counselors(s)
Special education coordinator
Speech and language therapist(s)
Teacher aid/assistant teacher
Tutor(s)
Foreign languages spoken by school staff French
German
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
  • Intensive - the school offers a full program for many needs and/or offers at least one very comprehensive program for very challenging needs such as autism or complete visual impairment
Specialized programs for specific types of special education students
  • Autism
  • Cognitive disability
  • Emotional behavioral disabilities
  • Hearing impairments
  • Multiple disabilities
  • Orthopedic impairments
  • Other health impairments
  • Significant developmental delay
  • Specific learning disabilities
  • Speech and language impairments
  • Visual impairments
Extra learning resources offered
  • Differentiated learning programs
Staff resources available to students
  • Special education coordinator
  • Speech and language therapist(s)

Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)

Staff resources available to students
  • Robotics/Technology specialist(s)
School facilities
  • Computer lab
  • Industrial shop
  • Outdoor learning lab
  • Science lab

Arts & music

Staff resources available to students
  • Art teacher(s)
  • Music teacher(s)
  • Poetry/Creative writing teacher(s)
School facilities
  • Art room
  • Music room
  • Performance stage
Visual arts
  • Ceramics
  • Design
  • Drawing / sketching
  • Painting
Music
  • Band
  • Choir / Chorus
  • Jazz band
  • Orchestra
Performing and written arts
  • Creative writing
  • Poetry
Media arts
  • Computer animation
  • Graphics
  • Technical design and production
  • Video / Film production

Language learning

Bi-lingual or language immersion programs offered
  • Spanish
Foreign languages taught
  • French
  • German
  • Spanish
Level of ESL/ELL programming offered
  • Basic - the school offers or partners to provide services based on the needs of individual students
Staff resources available to students
  • Speech and language therapist(s)
Foreign languages spoken by staff
  • French
  • German
  • Spanish

Health & athletics

Staff resources available to students
  • Instructional aide(s)/coach(es)
  • Nurse(s)
  • PE instructor(s)
  • School psychologist
School facilities
  • Access to sports fields
  • Gym
  • Kitchen

Gifted & talented

Instructional and/or curriculum models used
  • Gifted / high performing
Extra learning resources offered
  • Acceleration
Staff resources available to students
  • Gifted specialist(s)
School leaders can update this information here.

School basics

School start time
  • 8:50 a.m.
School end time
  • 3:45 p.m.
School Leader's name
  • Ms Kathryn Luessow
Best ways for parents to contact the school
  • Phone
Gender
  • Coed
Is there an application process?
  • Yes
Fax number
  • (317) 823-5497

Programs

Instructional and/or curriculum models used

Don't understand these terms?
  • AVID, Project Lead the Way
  • Gifted / high performing
  • Project-based
  • 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?
  • Spanish
Level of special education programming offered
  • Intensive - the school offers a full program for many needs and/or offers at least one very comprehensive program for very challenging needs such as autism or complete visual impairment
Specialized programs for specific types of special education students
  • Autism
  • Cognitive disability
  • Emotional behavioral disabilities
  • Hearing impairments
  • Multiple disabilities
  • Orthopedic impairments
  • Other health impairments
  • Significant developmental delay
  • Specific learning disabilities
  • Speech and language impairments
  • Visual impairments
Foreign languages taught
  • French
  • German
  • Spanish
Level of ESL/ELL programming offered
  • Basic - the school offers or partners to provide services based on the needs of individual students

Resources

Staff resources available to students
  • Art teacher(s)
  • Assistant principal(s)
  • Gifted specialist(s)
  • Instructional aide(s)/coach(es)
  • Music teacher(s)
  • Nurse(s)
  • PE instructor(s)
  • Poetry/Creative writing teacher(s)
  • Robotics/Technology specialist(s)
  • School psychologist
  • School social worker/counselors(s)
  • Security personnel
  • Special education coordinator
  • Speech and language therapist(s)
  • Teacher aid/assistant teacher
  • Tutor(s)
Foreign languages spoken by staff
  • French
  • German
  • Spanish
Extra learning resources offered
  • Acceleration
  • Career/college counseling
  • Counseling
  • Differentiated learning programs
  • Remediation
Transportation provided for students by the school / district
  • Buses/vans for students only
School facilities
  • Access to sports fields
  • Art room
  • Audiovisual aids
  • Auditorium
  • Cafeteria
  • College/career center
  • Computer lab
  • Gym
  • Industrial shop
  • Internet access
  • Kitchen
  • Learning lab
  • Library
  • Music room
  • Outdoor learning lab
  • Performance stage
  • Science lab
Partnerships with local resources and organizations
School leaders can update this information here.

Sports

Boys sports
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross country
  • Football
  • Tennis
  • Track
  • Wrestling
Girls sports
  • Basketball
  • Cheerleading
  • Cross country
  • Softball
  • Tennis
  • Track
  • Volleyball

Arts & music

Visual arts
  • Ceramics
  • Design
  • Drawing / sketching
  • Painting
Music
  • Band
  • Choir / Chorus
  • Jazz band
  • Orchestra
Performing arts
  • Creative writing
  • Poetry
Media arts
  • Computer animation
  • Graphics
  • Technical design and production
  • Video / Film production

Student clubs

Clubs (distinct from courses)
  • None
School leaders can update this information here.

Photos

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
  • Chaperone school trips
  • Join PTO/PTA
  • Organize cultural events
  • Organize fundraising events (school auction, bake sales, etc.)
  • Present special topics during curricular units
  • Serve on school improvement team or governance council
  • Tutor
  • Volunteer in the classroom
  • Volunteer time after school
School colors
  • Silver, Green
School mascot
  • Bearcats
School leaders can update this information here.

Apply

 

This school accepts applications on a

rolling basis

 
Apply now
 

What are your chances?

Students typically come from these schools
Crestview
Indian Creek
Oaklandon

Planning ahead

Students typically attend these schools after graduating
Lawrence North High School
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

9701 E 63rd St
Indianapolis, IN 46236
Website: Click here
Phone: (317) 964-6600

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