Indian Springs Elementary School

There is a distinctive dysfunctional environment at this school. Parents are discouraged from articulating concerns. When their concerns are made public, there is usually a concerted and bizarre effort on the part of the school community to discredit and silence the parent concerns. You can see this on several local discussion boards. School parties are not permitted, running on the blacktop (recess spot) is not permitted. There is very little joy in this school, the hostile, suspicious environment is pervasive (as it is truly represented on this board).
—Submitted by a parent

My family has been an active part of this school since 1997 - 98 school year and has had three older children graduate from here; currently we have one in Fourth grade and one in First. We have experienced four Administrators and are very happy with the current one who is kind, dedicated, professional, and hard working. Standards have not slipped and continue to rise with parent expectations every year. The staff too are hard working and dedicated and both the staff and Administrator respond to parent concerns in a timely manner. Children are treated well with a balance of affection and discipline. Parents are always on sight and very vital to the function of this school. All of my children have had Special needs and all are Gifted and Talented, the school is able to meet the needs of these groups without sacrificing the needs of their core students. The school works to help children with both learning Disabilities and learning differences and offers a comprehensive learning environment that has both strong academics but that seeks to make learning fun! My children enjoy coming to this school. The staff here as well as the parents and students are part of our extended family!
—Submitted by a parent

The other reviewer is unfortunately spreading untrue gossip that is hurtful to our school and our community. The principal at Indian Springs is wonderful. We have had numerous experiences with her and found her to be fair, honest and calm in all instances. She loves the students and has a true commitment to education and our community. The school has amazing teachers and fosters a loving and caring environment every day.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children who have been in this school, one of whom is at Dominion Middle School and the other of whom is still at Indian Springs. In contrast to the previous reviewer, my family has found that the current principal has greatly improved Indian Springs, which was already a good school. Some parents were not happy that she wanted to treat children more equally than the previous principals had, and resent the loss of their privileges in the ECLIPSE program, which was way out of control. With the loss of a couple of the few incompetent teachers that the school had, though, Indian Springs is now better than ever. Evidence of this is that the staff all agree that the working environment has dramatically improved since our new principal started and very vocal negative elements departed.
—Submitted by a parent

Most of these reviews are older, so I thought I would update. This school, when we started four years ago, was excellent. We've since gotten a new principal and things have gone down hill. I've heard complaints from many parents about bullying, teachers being mean or unequipped, and, of course, the principals inability to run the school. It's unfortunate, because this is a school we were formerly very happy with under different, more adept leadership. For some reason the PTA is really ineffective and the parental leadership and involvement is really bad.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in 1st grade at IS and we are very happy with this school. The staff and PTA are very caring and active
—Submitted by a parent

My children both attended Indian Springs elementary -- k-5. They are now at Whetstone High School and Columbus Alternative, both high-performing Columbus Public High Schools. Indian Springs was a wonderful, loving environment that offered the academic emphasis necessary to prepare them for the rigors of Dominion Middle School and their respective high school. I would recommend this wonderful place to every parent!
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in 3rd grade here at Indian Springs. He's been attending the school since he was 5 . This is the best thing I've done for his education so far.
—Submitted by a parent

Indian Springs is more than school. It is a community of administrators, teachers, parent and grandparents who all believe and support their children. The cooperation, dedication of all make Indian Springs a place where children want to come, and parents want to help, and teachers want to stay. I am a parent of two Indian Springs students and wouldn't want them anywhere else.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is rated top 10 because they do take pride in helping those whom need some financial aide such as glasses and warm meals that alot of children don't get at home.We are proud and the schools persistance in seeing that the childrens needs are met when the parents aren't always capable of doing so.Pround to have children at Indian Springs.Thank God for people who really truely care.amen
—Submitted by a parent

Great school, nice kids, awesome teachers. Great urban education in a diverse population. Suburban test scores in an urban setting. The best of both words.
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers at all levels. This is my son's 4th year and he loves it. The best elementary school in Columbus.
—Submitted by a parent

Indian Springs is a high performing Clintonville elementary school. The student body is diverse, well behaved and respectful of individuals and differences. The staff is focused on instruction. Teachers are well prepared and held accountable by the administration. The chess club won two grade levels at the state chess tournament. An ECLIPSE class is available for gifted students. Special education programs are represented as well. PTA is well attended and parent participation in a variety of programs is high. This school rivals any private schools in the area in the quality of instruction.
—Submitted by a parent