Indianapolis School focuses on family wellbeing to improve outcomes
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Leaders at Washington Irving Neighborhood School 14 in Indianapolis, Indiana, began working to stabilize the school after years of administrative changes and low performance.
Three years ago, the Near Eastside Innovation School Corporation, a nonprofit, took on the task of improving the school by prioritizing relationships with students and their families. The organization had previously used this approach at Thomas Gregg Neighborhood School 15, building a partnership with John Boner Neighborhood Centers.
Principal Brandon House and his team deliberately hired teachers committed to the local community and able to maintain instructional integrity. They retained around half of the previous staff while focusing on academic improvement, specifically creating daily intervention blocks for students struggling with reading and math. In 2024, the school narrowed its focus to elementary students as part of a district-wide plan. Beyond academics, School 14 families can access affordable housing through the Housing Stability for School Success program.
The school also benefits from the Indy East Promise Neighborhood initiative, which provides funding for resources like attendance incentives, after-school programs, and a food pantry. While the school saw a slight increase in IREAD scores, 64.9% of third graders passing in 2023, and a small improvement on the ILEARN assessment, leaders are focused on long-term positive outcomes for students.
