The top reported proficiency rate is 19% in Science. The lowest is 0% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on The Genius School
The Genius School is a public charter school in Indianapolis serving kindergarten through sixth grade. It is a single-site school authorized by the Mayor of Indianapolis through the Office of Education Innovation, which means it operates independently of the city’s traditional public school district. The school underwent a notable change in fall 2022, when it was rebranded from its former name, relocated to its own standalone facility on the east side of Indianapolis, and separated from Indianapolis Public Schools, where it had previously shared space at another school. This shift gave the school its own transportation and facility arrangements, a concrete factor for families weighing logistics and enrollment.
The school’s academic results from state testing draw a clear picture. On the ILEARN assessments, the share of students scoring proficient or above was very low across all tested subjects. In math, English language arts, and science, proficiency rates all landed below a fifth of tested students. In social studies, tested at grade five, no student reached the proficient mark. The overall proficiency index, which averages these subjects together, placed the school below the midpoint when compared against other districts in Marion County. These figures describe performance that is well below typical outcomes; a parent considering this school will want to understand what academic support the school provides and what its growth data looks like from year to year.
The student body is small for a school serving this grade band. The enrollment is composed overwhelmingly of Black students, with a smaller share identifying as Hispanic. A very large proportion of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a community with high economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported, so families should look into what special education and language support services the school offers directly.
The school is currently operating under a probationary charter status with its authorizer. Public reporting indicates that the school received favorable review ratings in two prior years before the probationary status took effect. Probationary status means the school’s continued authorization is not guaranteed; this is a structural condition that families should be aware of and discuss with the school directly when considering enrollment.
Because the school serves only elementary and middle grades, it has no graduation rate to report, and program data such as course offerings or extracurricular access was not available in the reviewed materials. The school’s location is on the east side of Indianapolis, a large, diverse city. Housing values in the immediate area are below both the state and national benchmarks, and rents have been climbing, consistent with broader trends in the metro area.
The Genius School is a small charter option in a large city, with a student population that is predominantly Black and economically disadvantaged. The state test results show proficiency rates that are low relative to county norms. The combination of a probationary charter and a recent rebranding and relocation means the school is in a period of institutional change. For a family looking for a neighborhood elementary school in Indianapolis with a specific mission and a small setting, this school is an option worth investigating further, particularly around academic support structures, the probationary status’s implications, and the school’s plan for improvement.
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