The top reported proficiency rate is 33% in Science. The lowest is 22% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Stout Field Elementary School
Stout Field Elementary School serves students from prekindergarten through sixth grade as part of the MSD Wayne Township district in Indianapolis. The school is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and it sits within a district that has made recent investments in its facilities and programs. Voters in the district passed both an operating referendum and a capital projects referendum in 2022, which fund teacher salaries, academic programs, school safety, and facility improvements, including a new elementary school expected to open in 2027. The district has also been expanding STEM and project-based learning initiatives, with several schools receiving state STEM certification.
The student body at Stout Field is diverse. White students make up the largest share, followed by a substantial Hispanic population, with smaller groups of Black students, students of two or more races, and Asian students. A very large share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which places the school in a high-poverty context. The school serves a wide age range, from prekindergarten through sixth grade, and its enrollment is large for an elementary school.
State testing results from the ILEARN assessments show that proficiency rates across subjects are below the state average. In math, about a quarter of students scored at the proficient level or above. In English language arts, the rate was similar. Science proficiency was somewhat higher, while social studies proficiency was lower. These are the school’s most recent results, and they represent a single year of data. The school’s overall proficiency index, which averages results across tested subjects and grades, places Stout Field in the top quartile among districts in Marion County. That comparison is at the district level, not the school level, and it reflects the fact that many schools in the county serve student populations with similar or greater economic challenges. A parent may want to discuss the school’s academic improvement plans and how the school supports students who are not yet at the proficient level.
The school’s student body is economically diverse, with a very high share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The racial and ethnic composition is predominantly white and Hispanic, with a smaller Black population and a small number of students from other backgrounds. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the source materials, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the supports available for those groups.
Housing in the area around the school is more affordable than the national median home value, and rents are below the national average as well. The typical home value in the ZIP code is well below the national figure, and rents have been rising at a faster pace than the national average. The area is part of Indianapolis, a large city with a mix of residential and commercial neighborhoods. The school itself is located on the west side of the city.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Data on chronic absenteeism was also not available. The school’s participation rate on state assessments was high, which means nearly all enrolled students took the tests, giving a complete picture of the school’s academic standing.
For a family considering Stout Field, the school offers a full prekindergarten through sixth grade program within a district that has made recent investments in teacher pay, school safety, and facilities. The student body is economically diverse, and the school serves a large number of students who qualify for meal assistance. Academic proficiency rates are below state averages, and a parent may want to ask about the school’s approach to intervention and enrichment. The district’s expansion of STEM and project-based learning may be a draw for families who value those approaches. The area’s housing costs are relatively low compared to national averages, which may be a factor for families looking at the neighborhood.
See more original research from School Decision →