How strong are the public elementary schools in Indianapolis?

With a fresh school year kicking off, we analyzed newly released data from Niche.com — which include comprehensive report cards, rankings and reviews — to identify those schools that made the biggest strides last year and those that lead their peers.

Glenns Valley Elementary School's overall rating improved the most among similar schools in Indianapolis, rising from a B- to a B+, according to data from Niche.

For the 2019-2020 school year, the school, located at 8239 Morgantown Road, enrolls 732 students. Niche graded the school a B for academics (on an A-D scale).

The overall ranking comes from Niche's proprietary algorithms. A school's ranking might change due to many factors, including the relative rankings of similar schools and whether a school gained or lost peers due to openings or closings. Other numbers come from current public data from the U.S. government.

Academically, 66% of Glenns Valley Elementary School's students scored as proficient or above in math, and 73% did so in reading. That's compared to city averages of 45% in math and 51% in reading.

It's not the only school that's climbed Niche's rankings this year. Abraham Lincoln Elementary School saw its overall rating go from a C+ to a B-. The school is located at 5241 Brehob Road and is a bit larger, currently serving 980 students, of whom 42% identify as white, 26% identify as Asian and 17% identify as Hispanic.

Niche graded Abraham Lincoln Elementary School a C+ for academics on an A-D scale. The school's latest math proficiency was at 58%, and reading proficiency was 61%. Its upswing is notable in that it serves a less-affluent population, with 77% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

North Wayne Elementary School also improved, from C to C+. The school is located at 6950 W. 34th St. and has 841 students currently enrolled, of whom 56% identify as black and 33% identify as Hispanic.

Niche graded North Wayne Elementary School a C- for academics on an A-D scale. Its latest math proficiency was at 27%, and reading proficiency was 44%. The school also serves a less-affluent community, with 69% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

While some public elementary schools in Indianapolis are moving up the ranks, others are consistently top-rated overall, including:

• Orchard Park Elementary School, with an overall rating of A.
• Bunker Hill Elementary School, with an A rating overall.
• Thompson Crossing Elementary School, rated A overall.

Want more of the latest intel on Indianapolis schools? Hoodline also analyzed the latest Niche ratings for the city's public high schools.

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This story was created automatically using data from Niche.com, then reviewed by an editor before publication. Click here for more about how and why Hoodline is automating local news. Got thoughts about what we're doing? Go here to share your feedback.