Awards & Recognition
IMSA West Celebrates Outstanding Educators and Student Achievements
On July 30th, IMSA West proudly honored its exceptional educators and their students for their remarkable achievements in the recent iLearn assessments. Superintendent Arslan, along with other key administrators, visited classrooms to surprise each staff member with recognition and a certificate of achievement, making it a memorable day for all.
The event highlighted the impressive proficiency scores achieved by students under the guidance of their outstanding teachers. It was clear that the dedication and hard work of both students and teachers had paid off significantly:
- Ms. Stover's students reached an impressive 71% proficiency, showcasing a remarkable commitment to academic excellence.
- Ms. Melrose and Ms. Aktas' students achieved a commendable 69% proficiency, reflecting their effective teaching strategies and student engagement.
- Ms. Marshall's students secured a strong 63% proficiency, illustrating the positive impact of her educational approach.
- Ms. Simmons' students attained 62% proficiency, underscoring her dedication to student success.
ILEARN 2024: Indianapolis charter schools drive learning recovery
Last Wednesday, the Indiana Department of Education released 2024 ILEARN results. At The Mind Trust, we believe analyzing results for the ILEARN assessment, taken each spring by Indiana students in grades 3-8, can help our community understand how well schools are serving students and families.
For individual students, ILEARN results should be used as a tool for families and educators to understand what concepts they’ve mastered and where they need additional support. For more information on the ILEARN, visit this website for frequently asked questions about the assessment.
Statewide: ILEARN Proficiency Remains Flat
Statewide ILEARN proficiency rates were disappointingly flat when compared to the previous year. The overall statewide proficiency rate remained steady, increasing by 0.2 percentage points to 30.8%. Other student groups saw similar flat proficiency rates:
- Statewide proficiency for Black students increased by 0.8 percentage points to 11.7%.
- Statewide proficiency for Latino students very slightly decreased by 0.1 percentage points to 17.3%.
- Statewide proficiency for low-income students increased by 0.5 percentage points to 18.1%.
Since 2021, combined statewide proficiency has improved by 2.2 points. These three-year gains mean that Hoosier students, on average, have only gained back about 25% of the proficiency decrease that occurred between the 2019 and 2021 ILEARN assessments. At this rate, it will take our state many more years to merely reach 2019 proficiency levels, which were already way too low.
Indianapolis: Charter schools make larger proficiency gains than local, state averages
Since 2021, Indianapolis charter schools have made larger proficiency improvements across all student groups, surpassing averages for Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), Marion County township districts, and the state as a whole. This holds true for math, English Language Arts (ELA), and combined proficiency rates.
- Black students in independent charter schools now outperform ten of the 11 Marion County districts in both math and ELA.
- Black students in independent charter schools have made larger proficiency gains since 2021 than all 11 Marion County districts.
- Latino students in independent charter schools now outperform nine of the 11 Marion County districts in both math and ELA.
Since 2021, charter schools in Indianapolis have improved on the ILEARN by 7.2 points in math and 3.9 points in ELA. During that same time, Black charter students improved by 7.7 points in math and 6.4 points in ELA. English language learners in charters have improved by 9.8 points in math and 6.3 points in ELA. Low-income charter students improved by 9.2 points in math and 6.0 points in ELA.
Depending on the subject and student group, Indianapolis charter students have gained back the majority of the proficiency decrease that occurred between 2019 and 2021. Gaps along racial and socioeconomic lines have also narrowed during that time, bucking national trends.
- Black students attending independent charter schools are 3x more likely to be proficient than Black students in district-run IPS schools.
- Latino students attending independent charter schools are 2x more likely to be proficient than Latino students in district-run IPS schools.
Multiple Indianapolis charter and innovation schools rank on top locally, statewide
Once again, charter and innovation schools in Indianapolis are some of the highest performing schools in the city and state.
- For Black students, 11 of the top 15 public schools within IPS boundaries are charter and innovation schools.
- For Latino students, 11 of the top 15 public schools within IPS boundaries are charter and innovation schools.
- Combined proficiency for Black students in innovation restart schools, which are in turnaround due to historically low-performance as district-run schools, is now higher than in the Center for Inquiry network of magnet schools.
A few charter schools are leaders in ILEARN proficiency rates in Marion County and statewide:
- For Black students, Indiana Math and Science Academy West surpassed the math proficiency rates of every Indiana district except one.
- For Black students, proficiency rates at two charter schools, Indiana Math and Science Academy West and Paramount Brookside, surpass the rates at IPS’ test-in school for gifted students.
- For Latino students, Paramount Cottage Home surpassed the proficiency rates at IPS’ test-in gifted school.
- For Black students, Paramount Brookside and Paramount Cottage Home surpassed the math proficiency rates for every Indiana district except two.
Measuring data to drive continued proficiency gains
While it is heartening to see bright spots in this year’s ILEARN data, the flat statewide and local results are also a cause for concern. As part of our management of the Indiana Learns statewide math and ELA tutoring program, we are engaging with an external research team to understand the impact of the program. We hope to gain insights into the impact of high-dosage tutoring and develop strategies to sustain academic interventions with a proven track record of success.
The Mind Trust is grateful to the continued dedication of educators, community organizations, and families across the state who are working to create better outcomes for all Hoosier students. We believe together we can address the urgent need to ensure every student has access to life-changing education opportunities.
Consef Science and Engineering Fair
IMSA West had 26 students attend the Science Fair and they brought home 2 bronze, 6 silver and 6 gold!! Congratulations to all those that participated!!
17 science fair
7 science demos
4 math demos
8 math competition
2017-2019 VEX IQ Robotics Indiana State Championship
- Teamwork State Champion Award
- Excellence Award
- Indiana Teamwork challenge Awards
- Judges Award
- Robot Skills Champion Award
- 3rd Place Robot Skills State Champion Award
2017 Indiana Gold Star School Counseling Award
Presented to IMSA West by the Indiana Department of Education, Indiana Association of Principals and Indiana School Counselor Association
2016-17 State of Indiana Proclamation
2014
Student Name: Amanda Jimenez
Place: 1st Place
IMPD’s Heathly Reasons To Say No To Drugs 4th & 5th Grade Poster/Essay Contest
Student Name: Dajanae Foreman
Place: Honorable Mention
IMPD’s Heathly Reasons To Say No To Drugs 4th & 5th Grade Poster/Essay Contest
Student Name: Makenzie Holt
Place: Honorable Mention
IMPD’s Heathly Reasons To Say No To Drugs 4th & 5th Grade Poster/Essay Contest
Student Name: Jorge Gocobachi
Place: Honorable Mention
IMPD’s Heathly Reasons To Say No To Drugs 4th & 5th Grade Poster/Essay Contest
Student Name: Tahja Winston
Place: Honorable Mention
IMPD’s Heathly Reasons To Say No To Drugs 4th & 5th Grade Poster/Essay Contest
2013
On Monday, May 13,2013 the City County Council presented a Special Resolution that recognized the “Reading Rock Stars” of Mrs. Laura Nelson’s kindergarten class and the “Nemo Scholars” of Miss Elizabeth Guynn’s kindergarten class for reading 5,074 books in 50 school days.
On Monday, May 13,2013 the kindergartners celebrated their reading success with the Indianapolis Indians who hosted a Baseball in Education Day at Victory Field .
2011
Science Olympiad 10 at Purdue University:
- 4 SILVER Medals
- 4 BRONZE Medals
CONSEF at Cleveland State University:
- 3 GOLD Medals
- 4 SILVER Medals
- 3 BRONZE Medals
2010
Science Olympiad 10 at Purdue University:
- 2 First Place Medals
- 6 Third Place Medals
CONSEF at Cleveland State University:
- 3 “Best of Fair” Trophies
- 3 GOLD Medals
- 7 SILVER Medals
- 2 BRONZE Medals
2009
Science Olympiad 09 at Purdue University:
- 6 First Place Medals
- 2 Second Place Medals
- 3 Third Place Medals
- 4 Fourth Place Medals.
2008/2009 School Year Department of Education’s PL221 ranking based in ISTEP+ Scores:
- IMSA ranked as an EXEMPLARY SCHOOL due to over 10 % improvement on ISTEP+ scores.
CONSEF at Cleveland State University:
- 3 “Best of Fair” Trophies
- 7 GOLD Medals
- 8 SILVER Medals
- 5 BRONZE Medals
Concept Schools Basketball Tournament at Cleveland State University:
- 1st Place in Middle School Girls
- 1st Place in Middle School Boys
According Department of Education, IMSA is one of the handful of schools increasing ISTEP+ scores in Math and Language Arts three years in a row.
2008
Science Olympiad at Butler University:
- 16 Medals
Central Indiana Science Fair at State Fair Grounds:
- American Chemical Society 6th grade winner
- US Navy Young Scientist Award
CONSEF at Cleveland State University:
- 1st Place Medal in Physical Science Category
- 2nd , 3rd place and Honorable Mention in Ecology Category
Indiana Charter Schools Spelling Bee competition:
- 3rd place award
Concept Schools Spelling Bee Competition in Toledo:
- 2nd Place award
Concept Schools Math Olympics at IMSA:
- 3rd place award
Concept Schools Basketball Tournament at Cleveland State University:
- 3rd place trophy