Good High school in Indianapolis? (summer, kids, program)

[Stretchad]

Originally Posted by CoolBeans

I will be moving to Indianapolis this summer and my son (sophomore in HS) will need a good school in the city to go to? We plan on staying away from IPS. Any suggestions? I will move into any district for him so our residency is not a problem. I looked into the schools and cant decide. Please help. Thanks!

Coolbeans,
Sorry I've hijacked your thread in discussion about North Central.
To answer your question maybe you can let your son have some influence...is there a way you can visit the schools with him? Or, can you get their curriculum guides and share them with him to see if there are the right types of classes, extra curriculars for him to get involved in? If he emphasizes a particular activity like, being involved in a symphony, then maybe attending schools with good music programs would be ones to consider, and rule out others without music programs, or weak programs...then factor in the housing/location, etc.
Lots of schools have unique programs (For example, J. Everett Light Career Center at North Central, and other schools have similar types of centers), that might sway your son one way or another.

[InvestRight]

Center Grove Schools, Franklin Township Schools on the south side of the city are good school systems. I can give you more details if you would like to contact me. I would be more than happy to help you.<pm this information please>

[Naptown Mom]

Ben Davis HS in Wayne Township has a program in conjuction with Vincennes University. My daughter is in this program and when she graduates from HS she will do so with a diploma, prep school certificate and and Associates(avaiable in 6 different studies) thats 2 years of college paid for and not by me, credits tranferable. We relocated this past year from Pike township after I had 3 teachers tell me "If you have another option take it, do not send her to Pike HS" (scary I know) This is a great new program they have their own building and support staff. Also, we found a 5 yr old 6400 square foot house for under $300 in Wayne Township, coming from Cali you have to appreciate this. If your son plays sports then you almost have to play it by ear. Alot of schools in Indy have many politics behind them, having 3 sons who play sports I have endured many. If you need anything else let me know. I have made 1 wrong school choice for my oldest and I wouldn't want anyone to have to go thru it. Good Luck

[CoolBeans]

Thanks for ALL your replies. I was actually considering Pike but I realized that this board doesn't really take too kindly too it and now I'm looking at Franklin. Whats so wrong with Pike though?

[Naptown Mom]

Nothing in particular. A friend of my family still lives in Pike and she told me that in their neighborhood her son is the oldest still in school, hes 15. I had teachers I didn't know at the store and the mall tell me if I had a choice use it. I heard great things about Pike so I moved my kids 3 yrs ago to Pike. I am now back in Wayne. They call the MS Ghetto Guion, I had 2 kids there. I witnessed fights everytime I went to school. The kids don't act like kids for the majority.They are 'grown'.. I would just say if you didnt have to dont. I got a bigger house out of th edeal but I wouldn't want to have that experience again. Franklin is a huge difference from Pike. I would say to come find an extended stay corporate apt. for a month work the city... drive thru the areas in rush hour, try to find the stores you like, etc. All your going to get is opinions from everyone elses past experience. Avon/brownsburg are nice areas as well.

[MainStreet]

Originally Posted by Naptown Mom

Nothing in particular. A friend of my family still lives in Pike and she told me that in their neighborhood her son is the oldest still in school, hes 15. I had teachers I didn't know at the store and the mall tell me if I had a choice use it. I heard great things about Pike so I moved my kids 3 yrs ago to Pike. I am now back in Wayne. They call the MS Ghetto Guion, I had 2 kids there. I witnessed fights everytime I went to school. The kids don't act like kids for the majority.They are 'grown'.. I would just say if you didnt have to dont. I got a bigger house out of th edeal but I wouldn't want to have that experience again. Franklin is a huge difference from Pike. I would say to come find an extended stay corporate apt. for a month work the city... drive thru the areas in rush hour, try to find the stores you like, etc. All your going to get is opinions from everyone elses past experience. Avon/brownsburg are nice areas as well.

From my experience, this a fair assessment. Many years ago, my ex wanted to transfer my daughter to Pike because his mother lived there (he was living in her basement-ah hello?) He sued me. I did my investigation of crimes within the Pike School district (this was over 5 years ago). I only chose the most serious of those crimes anything involving violence and sexual assaults, etc and my binder for his lawyer was 3 inches thick. We didn't even have to go to court after that; they saw the light.

From time to time I covered that district at work (I am a police department radio control operator) and one night there was a huge disturbance after a football game, riotous fighting with gunfire and I heard it all. I vowed that no child of mine would ever go there and I would do my best to enlighten anyone moving to the area. One morning, a garage truck driver rounded a corner on the campus and his headlights fell on a couple of dead bodies by the dumpsters he was there to empty.

One thing you have to realize about the police and media. You only hear about a fraction of the crime that actually happens. Especially a decade ago. This is why I live in Boone Co.

If you aren't used to daily violence, it can be devastating and very intimidating for kids moving to a new school. Now if you were born and raised in Pike township, have at it.

Pike has it's defenders. Many of those are used to big city living. If you are not accustomed to a city life; Pike is not the school district. I've had discussions with parents of great kids and students at Pike. Sure those are great kids, but I can tell you that if a child is a success at Pike, it has more to do with how wonderful and active their parents are in their education, not to mention great educators. I'm sure there are many, but that is the formula...great educators, great parents=great students.

[CoolBeans]

Bodies on campus? When did that happen? How were they killed?

[MainStreet]

Originally Posted by CoolBeans

Bodies on campus? When did that happen? How were they killed?

It was sometime after 1995. Some late night drug deal gone wrong.

[Teacher40]

I am a young teacher, getting ready to get into the education system (here in Indiana or Florida). I have been raised in Indianapolis, attending Cathedral High School (private, Catholic school- excellent academics and renown athletics throughout the state). If you want to have your son attend a private school, there are several in the area (check out Indiana School Districts on the Department of Education website): www.doe.state.in.us/htmls/k12.htm (broken link)).

Here's my personal opinion of excellent school districts (of a couple I have taught in):
Suburban:
(Hamilton County- North): Great schools, academics, athletics and special education services:
Hamilton Southeastern Schools- NE- (Two High Schools)- I have taught in this one for two years

Carmel Clay Schools (One large high school)- North

Westfield Washington Schools (little farther north)- smaller town, great district

** There are a few others, like Noblesville Schools, Hamilton Heights, etc.)

(Boone County- Northwest):

Zionsville Community Schools (Where I student taught, and I lived here for a few years): Quaint, small town feel, excellent schools, safe environment

I don't know much about Whitestown or Lebanon Schools. Whitestown is located just outside (West) of Zionsville and is currently growing a lot. Portion is part of Zionsville Schools, I believe.

(Johnson County- South):
Greenwwod: Center Grove and Greenwood Community School Corporations. I don't know much about them, but I have heard they are great!

(Marion County-Indianapolis):
MSD: Pike Township (Northwest)- not the best neighborhoods. I live here. Some nice parts, but I believe there is quite a bit of crime.

MSD: Washington Township (i.e. North Central HS that everyone was talking about)- Definitely your mix of people. But, for the most part, nice schools and nice areas. This is where I lived for 24 years.

MSD Wayne and Warren: (West and East, respectively). I do not know much about these districts, but haven't heard anything good/bad.

MSD Perry: I think they've had quite a budget cut in recent years, as well as MSD Lawrence (NE/E). This reporting may not be completely accurate, possibly-more or less from quick news reports and hersay.

Yes, and IPS, the largest in the area, is experiencing current budget cuts, as a Prinicpal very recently told me and is closing some schools. Also, unfortuately not the best neighborhoods, overall.

I don't know if this helps. A lot of it is based upon opinions, as well as reputation. However, you might want to visit their websites from the link I have provided and do some research. Look for "Blue Ribbon/Four-Star Schools." (I am an elementary teacher, so I don't know how often high schools are given that distinction. Although, my high school, Cathedral, was a Blue Ribbon School, which I guess was the only in Indianapolis.)

[BU191433]

North Central is a very, very diverse school. There is every type of student there. If I had a child who was not strong enough to stay away from drugs, gangs, bad influences, then I would put him in that school. I went there about 15 years ago and there were many situations I just avoided, many people I just avoided, and if you do that it is a fine school. A lot of very good kids go there.