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GreatSchools Rating

Skiles Test Elementary School

Public | 1-6 | 540 students

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Community Rating

3 stars


Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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7 reviews of this school


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Posted July 20, 2009

The teachers here are excellant, they have raised mys son's self esteem and his grades went up
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 24, 2007

Thus far, we have not been happy with the education our child is recieving at this school. The teacher sends information typed out for parents and in her writing I have found countless grammatical and typo errors in her work, yet she is being paid to teach and critique my childs work. My child has been bullied and school and bus staff have failed to provide an environment in which my son feels safe. We are exhausting all possibilities to transfer our child to another school. From what I have learned about SKiles Test, it appears as if this school is nothing more than a 'pretty' inner city school. Furthermore, it appears that Lawrence Township is trying to fly on the coat-tail of their history of being a top rated program while in fact it no longer sits even close to the top of the mountain.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 11, 2006

One of my children have been enrolled in Skiles Test. We have deceided to have him go to a private school. The teacher quality and leadership at Skiles Test has been outstanding. This is not the issue at all. What we became concerned with was the imbalance of the ethicity population and the rough attitude of a good portion of the students that we came incontact with.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 17, 2005

My children have been at Skiles for 4 years. My children are receiving a good education in a safe, supportive environment. Two focuses of the school that are particularly strong are community building and service. Parents are given countless opportunities to volunteer throughout the school and at special events. Community members are encouraged to be involved as general volunteers or tutors. The PFO holds 4 Family Fun nights each year which are attended by anywhere from 300-700 students and family members! The students are constantly working on a variety of service projects. These range from selling apples to support a kid's cancer camp, raising money for burn awareness, helping a school family whose daughter has leukemia, and much more. Many of these projects are student initiated. I am proud that my children are learning to be active,caring members of their community through their experiences at Skiles Test.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 14, 2005

We have been very pleased with Skiles Test. The school enviornment is welcoming, the teachers are helpful and really strive to meet the needs of all children. We like the diversity and feel that our children are given many opportunities to grow and develop. We also love the family atmosphere at the school. There are events throughout the year that families can attend together in the evening that help to foster a feeling of community. There are also many parents, grandparents and community members that willingly volunteer their time and talents to make Skiles Test a better school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 10, 2005

I have been at Skiles Test for 4 years. Our experiences have been positive. My children are happy there and receive a high quality education. I am very impressed with the teachers and their abilities to teach all children. Skiles Test is definetely not segregated. There are black and white children in all classes. Skiles Test does house the Stretch gifted and talented program. These classes do have a smaller minority percentage than the traditional classrooms. The students for the g&t class test into the program. The test is administered by the director of the program - that person is not a staff member of Skiles Test but rather an administrator of the township. Skiles Test is in no way in control of the student make-up of the Stretch classes. Skiles Test is not perfect but it is a good school and I am proud to be there.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 4, 2004

Our experience with Skiles Test can be summed up in one word. Horrible! Inexperienced staff and teachers. Teacher/student in the classroom was ratio 33/1 without an assistant. We quickly removed our son from the school and placed him into private. Skiles Test is very segregated school. Whites with whites, blacks with blacks. (Look at the advanced classroom 'gifted' is there any black children in those classrooms? When do they go to lunch, and why it is in their classrooms instead of lunchroom?) I have a bi-racial son. He did not fit in anywhere. He was treated very poorly/abused by the black children and the principal did nothing about it. It was a very sad situation/frustrating to say the least.
—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 85% in 2012.

98 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
65%

2011

 
 
71%

2010

 
 
69%
Math

The state average for Math was 79% in 2012.

99 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
62%

2011

 
 
56%

2010

 
 
68%
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.

81 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
73%

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
72%
Math

The state average for Math was 79% in 2012.

81 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
49%

2011

 
 
60%

2010

 
 
69%
Science

The state average for Science was 78% in 2012.

81 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
58%

2011

 
 
61%

2010

 
 
64%
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.

88 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
72%

2011

 
 
68%

2010

 
 
66%
Math

The state average for Math was 86% in 2012.

88 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
77%

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
68%
Social Studies

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

88 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
50%

2011

 
 
58%

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.

82 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
77%

2011

 
 
73%

2010

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 82% in 2012.

82 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
72%

2011

 
 
73%

2010

 
 
n/a
Science

The state average for Science was 64% in 2012.

82 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
67%

2011

 
 
65%

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

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

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
4 / 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

4

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
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 54% 12%
White 30% 73%
Multiracial 8% 4%
Hispanic 6% 8%
Asian 1% 2%
American Indian 0% 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 56%N/A47%
Special education 8%N/A15%
English learners 5%N/A5%
Source: IN Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 16N/A17
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Teacher resources

Special staff resources available to students Assistant principal(s)
Art teacher(s)
Computer specialist(s)
ELL/ESL Coordinator
Instructional aide(s)/coach(es)
Music teacher(s)
PE instructor(s)
Nurse(s)
School psychologist
School social worker/counselors(s)
Special education coordinator
Speech and language therapist(s)
Teacher aid/assistant teacher
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
  • Computer specialist(s)
School facilities
  • Access to farm or natural area
  • Computer lab
  • Garden/Greenhouse
  • Outdoor learning lab
  • Science lab
Clubs
  • Math club

Arts & music

Staff resources available to students
  • Art teacher(s)
  • Music teacher(s)
School facilities
  • Art room
  • Music room
  • Performance stage
Visual arts
  • Drawing / sketching
Music
  • Choir / Chorus
  • Orchestra
Performing and written arts
  • Creative writing
  • Poetry

Language learning

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
  • ELL/ESL Coordinator
  • Speech and language therapist(s)

Health & athletics

Staff resources available to students
  • Instructional aide(s)/coach(es)
  • Nurse(s)
  • PE instructor(s)
  • School psychologist
School facilities
  • Access to farm or natural area
  • Garden/Greenhouse
  • Gym

Gifted & talented

Instructional and/or curriculum models used
  • Gifted / high performing
Extra learning resources offered
  • Acceleration
School leaders can update this information here.

School basics

School start time
  • 8:00 a.m.
School end time
  • 2:35 p.m.
Before school or after school care / program onsite
  • Before school: starts at 6:00 a.m.
  • After school: ends at 6:00 p.m.
School Leader's name
  • Mrs. Erika Radford
Best ways for parents to contact the school
  • Phone
Gender
  • Coed
Is there an application process?
  • Yes
Fax number
  • (317) 576-6171

Programs

Instructional and/or curriculum models used

Don't understand these terms?
  • Direct instruction
  • Gifted / high performing
  • Project-based
  • STEM
Bi-lingual or language immersion programs offered

Don't understand these terms?
  • No
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
  • None
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)
  • Computer specialist(s)
  • ELL/ESL Coordinator
  • Instructional aide(s)/coach(es)
  • Music teacher(s)
  • Nurse(s)
  • PE instructor(s)
  • School psychologist
  • School social worker/counselors(s)
  • Special education coordinator
  • Speech and language therapist(s)
  • Teacher aid/assistant teacher
Extra learning resources offered
  • Acceleration
  • Differentiated learning programs
  • Tutoring
Transportation provided for students by the school / district
  • Buses/vans for students only
School facilities
  • Access to farm or natural area
  • Art room
  • Audiovisual aids
  • Cafeteria
  • Computer lab
  • Garden/Greenhouse
  • Gym
  • Internet access
  • Library
  • Music room
  • Outdoor learning lab
  • Performance stage
  • Playground
  • Science lab
Partnerships with local resources and organizations
School leaders can update this information here.

Sports

Boys sports
  • None
Girls sports
  • None

Arts & music

Visual arts
  • Drawing / sketching
Music
  • Choir / Chorus
  • Orchestra
Performing arts
  • Creative writing
  • Poetry
Media arts
  • None

Student clubs

Clubs (distinct from courses)
  • Math club
  • Running Club
  • iMovie Club
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.)
  • Serve on school improvement team or governance council
  • Volunteer in the classroom
School leaders can update this information here.

Apply

 

This school accepts applications on a

rolling basis

 
Apply now
 

Planning ahead

Students typically attend these schools after graduating
Belzer Middle School
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

7001 Johnson Rd
Indianapolis, IN 46220
Website: Click here
Phone: (317) 964-4700

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