The top reported proficiency rate is 10% in Math. The lowest is 6% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Francis W Parker School 56
Francis W. Parker School 56 was a regular public school in the Indianapolis Public Schools system that served students in what the available records list as grade M through M—a coding that typically indicates a middle or multiple-grade span, and the state testing data cover grades three through eight, so the school likely operated as an elementary or K–8 building. As of the most recent directory data, the school is closed and no longer enrolling students.
The most recent state assessment results come from the 2022–23 school year, the last year for which testing data are reported before the closure. In both math and English language arts, about one in ten students scored at the proficient level or above. In science, the share was smaller still, and on the social studies assessment administered at grade five, the rate was similarly low. These are the only academic outcome metrics available for the school; because it did not serve high school grades, there is no graduation rate, and no information on college readiness or career pathways. Parents or residents looking at this school should understand that its academic performance, based on these measures, was well below typical levels across the state. The specific reasons for the closure are not explained in the data reviewed, and no information about the school’s enrollment, student demographics, or program offerings was available, as those fields were empty—a gap that is consistent with a school that has ceased operations.
The school was located in Indianapolis, part of the Indianapolis Public Schools district. That district has undergone notable changes in recent years, including the implementation of a zone-based enrollment system that allows families to apply to any IPS school through a centralized process, offering models such as Montessori, Dual Language, STEM, and International Baccalaureate. IPS also operates Innovation Network Schools, where external partners manage some schools while remaining within the district. However, because Francis W. Parker School 56 is closed, none of those options apply to this particular building. Families who might have considered this school will instead be choosing among other IPS schools in the area.
The housing context for the area shows that home values in the surrounding zip code were close to the national median, though they had seen a slight decline over the most recent year measured. Rents were rising at a modest pace, and the typical monthly rent was below the estimated mortgage payment for a median-priced home, suggesting that renting was more affordable than buying for a typical household. The broader economic context, including the national unemployment rate and median household income, is neutral and does not point to any extreme local condition.
For a family reading this, the key takeaway is that Francis W. Parker School 56 no longer exists. Its academic record from its final year shows very low proficiency rates across all tested subjects. The building itself may have been repurposed or closed entirely. Anyone researching this area of Indianapolis for school options will need to look at currently operating IPS schools in the same zone, understanding that the district’s enrollment system offers school choice but that the specific school in question is not an active option. The data do not provide any enrollment or demographic profile for the school’s former student body, so no picture of peer environment can be drawn from the available records.
See more original research from School Decision →