A look at K-12 public school enrollment in Indianapolis, with stories from our Parent Advocates
EmpowerED Families is excited to share our first report with our community! Our Schools, Our Children, Our Choice focuses on K-12 enrollment in public schools within Indianapolis Public School (IPS) boundaries.
A few highlights:
- There was a 2.5% increase in IPS enrollment from the 2019-2020 to 2020-2021 school year.
- IPS enrollment has increased by 6.8% since introducing Innovation Network Schools in 2014.
- 56.2% of public school students within IPS boundaries are enrolled in a public charter school or IPS Innovation Network School.
- Since 2011, enrollment at independent charter schools within IPS boundaries has increased 26.4%.
The data we analyzed is from the Indiana Department of Education, which collects and publicly shares enrollment numbers from schools each year.
Numbers can tell us a lot, but we knew it was important to share stories from parents. We are so thankful to the EmpowerED Families Parent Advocates who shared their stories with us to show the people behind the numbers.
Our Parent Advocates also helped us shape the resources found at the end of the report. To help families who are looking at school options, the report shares where to look up more information on schools, how to learn more about a school’s culture, and a checklist for school tours.
The data and parent stories in this report shows us that Indianapolis families want a variety of public school options. This has led to enrollment increases in IPS and at public charter schools. The families we spoke to all shared the same thing: They want a school that best meets the needs of their student.
“Parents want a school where their child feels like they fit, that meets their academic needs, and prepares them for the real world.”
Delma Suber, mother of three and EmpowerED Families Parent Advocate