Indianola Informal K-8 School

My son attended Indianola from Kindergarten to eighth grade. Indianola is a public school with a staff that works very hard to bring excellent education to all children. I am in the education profession and would highly recommend Indianola to all students. I always felt that the staff put children first and made learning fun and challenging for all children. My son starts high school in fall 2012, and it is very hard to leave a school that treated him like family. The staff worked very well together to create an excellent education for all students.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student going into 5th grade,and if there was a star for 3.5 thats what I would give my school. I love my school because it is creative,has nice teachers,the gifted programs are really fun, and the teachers are very flexible. I am currently looking for a new middle school though, because in science on the OAA we had many questions that weren't even a part of our curriculum, we have to go out of our comfort zone to do music warm-ups, and there are a ton of random roaches that fall on you. I like school overall and would just like to thank my many teachers for there epicness.But will you please teach more science:)lol.

This school has been a big dissapointment. Unless you are part of the "Indianola Family" be prepared to be dismissed or patronized by the administration if you have any problems with student/teacher ratio or bullying.
—Submitted by a parent

informal learning is great! our kids love going to school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has consistantly carried the highest reputation in our city. And it has the greatest PARENTS.

They do a phenomenal of creating a unique and enriching educational experience well beyond many 'traditional' schools.
—Submitted by a parent

The staff really cares about the students' well-being and create many opportunities for parent involvement.
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers who are focused on the whole child and individual growth. Wonderful community made up of compassionate parents who love the world and all its children.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has been attending Indy since KD. She is now in third grade! While I was initially concerned that all of the recent building - hopping and rapid growth of the school would diminish what makes the school such a special place, I have since been pleasantly surprised. The school definitely feels less intimate than before, but the teachers and the PTO continue to strive to provide a communal experience for the students. The best part is: my child loves her school. She is excited about learning and she feels free to express her ideas. Our family has had a positive experience.
—Submitted by a parent

Great education, great people, great location. Love it!
—Submitted by a parent

Superior parent involvement, caring staff.
—Submitted by a parent

supportive staff, creative curriculum, lots of opportunities for students
—Submitted by a parent

Indianola recently received among the highest standardized test scores in the district. As of this review, the program's off to an excellent start in a renovated building. For a program to have performed so well through a rough transition in a temporary building (confusing, cobbled-up physical space, lackluster resources) it is sure to make the utmost of the great resources that the permanent location offers. The Columbus School district is notorious for loosing student population to suburban flight(1971 body of 110.000; 55,000 in 2007). Rather than flee the district in the hopes of a better program, a community has instead galvanized around the concept of 'Quality Neighborhood Schools'. That's the difference. Rather than move individually to where a good school is offered, a community has decided to take it upon it's collective self to create a great school...and it's succeeding!
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school! The teachers and staff work hard to give the students a well rounded education to prepare them to be global minded citizens.
—Submitted by a parent

Kindergarten is too rigorous and the classes are quite large. One teacher is not sufficient for 28 students. Not a good school if your child needs individual attention.
—Submitted by a parent

I find this school very clique-ish and the parents are judgemental toward those who aren't 'alternative' enough. My child is very happy at Indianola, but I won't be sad to leave.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended Indi from Kindergarten all the way through 8th grade. This is a school with an amazing and involved community, and a school that has wonderful academic, arts, and extracurricular programs. The addition of sports teams this year and the completion of the middle school expansion have succeeded in making it even an even more well rounded program. All of my teachers at Indi have understood us as people and students; connected with parents and student alike; met our learning needs; and taught in an effective, interesting, informative, and useful way. I leave Indianola with fond memories and a excellent education.
—Submitted by a student

What a breath of fresh air- excellence abounds here. Teachers and parents work in concert to make sure these children thrive with individualized programs designed to unearth their talents. With a connection to OSU, they have access to things like Italian classes and photography atypical for any elementary. Lottery is tough- more than 300 waitlisted in Kindergarten each year, but worth going for it. As a UA grad, I wanted something amazing without the attitude, and my family found that here.
—Submitted by a parent

Indianola is such a great school with a wonderful community a great curriculum really nice techers and we have great arts and now that we have moved to another building we have gym as do other schools. It think its good that we have dance and gym because dance keeps us active and energetic and gym encourages kids because its fun. We have a bigger building but its still not enough. Which is a problem. But overall its great!
—Submitted by a student

I am a student in 4th grade at this school i just am starting 5th! I do agree that we have such a great community no one is excluded we respect differences and we have the most amazing teachers!but we have a lousy district and a bad school location I am glad we are expanding to k-8 and yesterday was our last day in the building (almost 100 years old!) I don't think our school has as much active/ athletic education as it should have but I think were growing and were becoming a larger group which will change things alot! -mounir lynch
—Submitted by mounir lynch, a student