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GreatSchools Rating

Sunnyside Elementary School

Public | 1-6 | 698 students

We are best known for empowering global minds
 
 
Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
Based on 2 ratings
2010:
No new ratings

Teacher quality

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Parent involvement

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10 reviews of this school


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Posted July 7, 2011

The students are gross-minded. It was horrible for my son! Don't ever take your kid there.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 23, 2011

Sunnyside is a wonderful school, every teacher cares for the kids and has the best intrest of the students in mind at all times.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 25, 2009

This is one of the worst schools we have had our son at. Years ago this was a good school and district, but now its horrible. They are all below the state standards at this point. Do yourself and your child a favor and find a better school. We move into this area and sold our house and moved out within months to get out of this district.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 16, 2007

We have had our daughter at Sunnyside for 4 years now and been very pleased with the program, excellent staff and environment. Our 7 year son started this year in first grade and we are again, equally impressed. Both children enjoy the school, their grades, and scores are well above average and we feel that they are receiving a very good education.
—Submitted by Terri Russell, a parent


Posted May 10, 2006

Sunnyside was a wonderful school for my child last year. He had a rather rough year, personally, but his teachers and staff went out of their way to help us, and he thrived. He was accepted into the gifted program this year, and has since changed schools. One thing I notice in retrospect about Sunnyside that we lack at the new school is a sense of family. The support network between kids/teachers/parents & staff at Sunnyside was phenomenal! I can't wait for my other children to attend.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 19, 2004

I have two children in sunnyside. We really love our teachers. I also have a special needs child we have recived a great deal of help with. The staff as sunnyside is very caring I think my children have learned alot. However I'm very sad that we have to leave this school due to the new routing. I feel my child will have a hard time with this move, conserding we moved here so my children could attend Sunnyside. I really loved my daughters first grade teacher she really taught the kids alot in a short time.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 13, 2004

My child is in the 3rd grade at Sunnyside. It would be nice if they could bring home more homework, have more extra curricula activities, and bring their books home to study. Its hard for the parents to go over work with their child when they don't have a book explaining how to do the work.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 3, 2004

This is a great school! From the principal to the teachers to the families it is truly a community. The students are well prepared for middle school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 9, 2003

Sunnyside is one of the best, if not the best, school in Lawrence Township. My child is a current student but I do hope that more extracurricular activities will be added and that all teachers give assigned homework. Currently, some second grade teachers do not give homework on a daily basis. This worries me as to how is my child's academic progress is being measured.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 31, 2003

My child is a current student at Sunnyside. The teachers at this school are dedicated, caring, and very professional. Parent involvement is growing each year and the current PFO is wonderful. The school could use more extracurricular activities and clubs for students. However, Sunnyside is a relatively new school and perhaps such clubs and activities will expand over the years to come.
—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.

99 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
81%

2011

 
 
68%

2010

 
 
82%
Math

The state average for Math was 79% in 2012.

100 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
69%

2011

 
 
54%

2010

 
 
71%
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.

116 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
74%

2011

 
 
81%

2010

 
 
76%
Math

The state average for Math was 79% in 2012.

116 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
65%

2011

 
 
70%

2010

 
 
57%
Science

The state average for Science was 78% in 2012.

116 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
57%

2011

 
 
72%

2010

 
 
62%
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.

101 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
77%

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
70%
Math

The state average for Math was 86% in 2012.

100 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
85%

2011

 
 
84%

2010

 
 
86%
Social Studies

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

101 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
70%

2011

 
 
71%

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.

102 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
78%

2011

 
 
79%

2010

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 82% in 2012.

102 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
85%

2011

 
 
80%

2010

 
 
n/a
Science

The state average for Science was 64% in 2012.

102 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
51%

2011

 
 
68%

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 "A".
  • In 2010-2011, this school received a grade of "C".
  • 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
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
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
Hispanic 36% 8%
White 33% 73%
Black 23% 12%
Multiracial 7% 4%
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 62%N/A47%
Special education 11%N/A15%
English learners 28%N/A5%
Source: IN Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 17N/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)
Librarian/media specialist(s)
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
Foreign languages spoken by school staff Spanish
Read more about programs at this school
Source: Manually entered by a school official.

Awards

Academic awards received in the past 3 years
  • Hispanic Society of Friendship
  • Spanish Honors Society
Community service awards received in the past 3 years
  • Project Redirect (2011)
  • Think Energy (2012)
  • One Drop at a Time Water Project (2012)

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
  • Computer lab
  • Science lab

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
Performing and written arts
  • Creative writing
  • Dance
  • Poetry

Language learning

Foreign languages taught
  • 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
  • ELL/ESL Coordinator
  • Speech and language therapist(s)
Foreign languages spoken by staff
  • Spanish

Health & athletics

Staff resources available to students
  • Instructional aide(s)/coach(es)
  • Nurse(s)
  • PE instructor(s)
  • School psychologist
School facilities
  • Gym
  • Multi-purpose room ("cafegymatorium")

Gifted & talented

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
  • Ms Erica Buchanan
Best ways for parents to contact the school
  • Phone
Gender
  • Coed
Is there an application process?
  • Yes
Fax number
  • (317) 823-3418

Programs

Instructional and/or curriculum models used

Don't understand these terms?
  • Direct instruction
  • Standards-based
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
  • 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)
  • Computer specialist(s)
  • ELL/ESL Coordinator
  • Instructional aide(s)/coach(es)
  • Librarian/media specialist(s)
  • 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
Foreign languages spoken by staff
  • Spanish
Extra learning resources offered
  • Acceleration
  • Differentiated learning programs
  • Remediation
Transportation provided for students by the school / district
  • Buses/vans for students only
School facilities
  • Art room
  • Audiovisual aids
  • Cafeteria
  • Computer lab
  • Gym
  • Internet access
  • Library
  • Multi-purpose room ("cafegymatorium")
  • Music room
  • 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
Performing arts
  • Creative writing
  • Dance
  • Poetry

Student clubs

Clubs (distinct from courses)
  • Folk Dance Club
  • Running Club
  • Sunnyside Ambassadors
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
  • 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
Fall Creek Valley Middle School
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

6345 Sunnyside Rd
Indianapolis, IN 46236
Website: Click here
Phone: (317) 964-4500

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