City: Indianapolis, IN

Category: Education

Telephone: (317) 226-4400

Address: 120 E. Walnut St.

Description: Indianapolis Public Schools serve about 34,000 students in 49 elementary schools, 9 middle schools, 5 high schools, 3 alternative learning schools, and 1 vocational school. As in most sectors of the nation, IPS is battling serious economic concerns. In 2008 the district closed four elementary schools and four middle schools, and in 2009 it closed six elementary schools. But all is not doom and gloom. In fact, the 2009–2010 school year started off with a nice surprise. In each of the past five years, enrollment had dropped by more than 1,000 students. Projections for the 2009–2010 year were even worse. Officials expected IPS enrollment to drop by almost 1,900 students. That didn’t happen. Instead, on the first official count day in 2009, IPS tallied 33,521 students compared to 33,824 on the same day the previous year. That is a drop of 303 students, far less than expected. With less of a decline than expected, IPS can avoid millions of dollars in cuts, along with school closings and layoffs that had already been planned for 2010. In the 2009–2010 school year, the superintendent announced plans to reduce the teaching faculty by 400 teachers and the administrative staff by 17 employees, and to eliminate 95 percent of academic coaches paid out of the general fund. The school system has started spending cash reserves to fund the budget. Although the budget is funded, it is not a balanced budget. Revenues do not equal expenses. Officials estimated that the school system would be in deficit spending for 2009–2010 and the following year. In order to correct the deficit, the system planned to reduce its general fund budget by $25 million over the last half of 2009 and the first half of 2010. State funding is based on how many students attend a district, so the huge declines in enrollment were a real problem for IPS. Getting an attendance boost was just what IPS needed. The causes for an increase in students are not clear but may be part of a change in state law that took effect, making it easier for students to attend schools in districts where they don’t live. That added at least 120 students from other districts, with many opting to attend IPS magnet schools. Two new magnet high schools—Shortridge High School with its law and public-policy program and Broad Ripple with its arts and humanities program—have proven popular with hundreds of students who might have left the district. Also about 300 more kindergarten students than usual entered IPS this year. Indianapolis Public Schools offer numerous programs to help students succeed and a variety of tools to enhance education. Using cutting-edge technology, each IPS classroom is wired for Internet access. Parents can track a student’s attendance and grades at IPS Online, a Web portal that also helps parents stay connected with teachers via e-mail. Full-day kindergarten classes are aimed at better preparing students for the rigors of academics at subsequent grade levels. All IPS elementary schools offer full-day kindergarten classes. IPS offers more magnet programs than any other school district in Indiana. Magnet schools are just like other IPS schools—with one big difference. Magnet schools emphasize a particular area of study, giving students new insight and more opportunities to explore what interests them most. “Magnet” refers to how the schools draw students from across the normal boundaries of the school zones. Some of the studies emphasized by IPS magnet schools are business and finance; environmental studies; foreign languages; health and medical professions; humanities; math, science, and technology; performing and visual arts; teaching; and the science and technology of agriculture. In addition to the neighborhood schools, IPS offers three elementary magnet choices. STRETCH is the district’s program for academically talented elementary and middle school students. Forest Glen International Studies School offers programs in global studies and Spanish immersion. Indian Creek DISCOVERY Science and Technology Magnet School promotes science education. IPS also features vocational education training that offers hands-on experiences leading to post–high school careers. The IPS alternative school programs offers more than 60 alternative programs in all middle and high schools. These programs are for students who do not thrive or succeed in traditional school settings. The first school sponsored by an NBA franchise, Pacers Academy is a secondary alternative school serving at-risk students in grades 6 through 12. Horizons is an alternative middle school program for students who are not succeeding in the traditional school setting. The KIND school also offers alternative programs, with smaller classes and more individualized instruction for middle and high school students who have not been successful in traditional school programs. Other alternatives are offered throughout the city. In 2007 IPS adopted strict dress codes for students district-wide that require solid-colored slacks, collared solid-color shirts, belts, and closed-toe shoes. A specific uniform is not necessary but students must adhere to the dress code, which bans T-shirts, jeans, jean skirts, jean jackets, hoodies, oversized pants or shirts, pants worn below the waist, sweatpants, jogging suits, tight dresses or tops, ruffled shirts, sunglasses, pajama tops or bottoms, heelies or wheelies (athletic shoes with skates), head rags, bandanas, sweatbands, visible underpants, “grills” or detachable gold teeth, baggy and sagging clothes, untucked shirts or blouses, flip-flops, leggings, and hats. The dress code, which is enforced by superintendent Dr. Eugene G. White, covers other bases with the sentence, “Anything else the principal or designee deems inapposite or disruptive to the educational environment will be prohibited.” Although the dress code seems to be working, several dozen students are sent home each school year and suspended for several days for violating the code.Among its most recent successes, in 2009 IPS opened its first student-run credit union branch at Arsenal Technical High School, in partnership with Finance Center Federal Credit Union. Students work as tellers, giving them real-life work experience. Students and teachers bank at the credit union during school hours. Students are able to open checking and saving accounts and have access to the branch’s ATM (with parental permission). In 2009 students at the Center for Inquiry began studying Mandarin Chinese, joining their older peers learning the language in the International Magnet at Arsenal Technical High School. In 2009 the IPS Science Bound Program had 57 students enrolled in Purdue University. Science Bound is a partnership with Purdue University that provides IPS students with advanced science experiences and mentorship from middle school through high school. IPS students who successfully complete the program can attend Purdue University free of charge. Thirty-two of the 2008 students in the program entered Purdue. Through the work of the College Summit Program, Emmerich Manual High School sent nearly 50 percent more graduates to college from the Class of 2008 than the Class of 2005. Currently over 65 percent of the Class of 2009 has applied for college admission.