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James A. Garfield School 31 - a STEM School

Q: Is James A. Garfield School 31 - a STEM School a good school?

James A. Garfield School 31 - a STEM School ranks 666 th of 1005 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

666^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,005 Indiana Elementary Schools

Better than 34% of Indiana elementary schools

Summary

James A Garfield School 31 is an elementary school serving grades PK-8 in Indianapolis, Indiana, with 247 students enrolled. The school is part of the Indianapolis Public Schools district, which is ranked 300 out of 380 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

James A Garfield School 31 faces significant challenges, including consistently high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 17.8% to 36.9% over the past few years, which is significantly higher than the district average of around 20%. The school also performs poorly on standardized tests, with only 34.29% of students proficient or better in ILEARN/English Language Arts and 31.43% in math, compared to the district averages of 20.83% and 20.99%, respectively. Additionally, the school has a very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 61.94% to 77.87% over the past few years, which is significantly higher than the district average.

When compared to nearby schools in the same district, such as William McKinley School 39 and Eleanor Skillen School 34, James A Garfield School 31 generally performs worse on key metrics like test scores and chronic absenteeism. Despite the higher spending per student ($23,449 in 2023-2024) compared to the district average, the school's performance remains poor, indicating that simply allocating more resources may not be enough to drive improvement. The school may need to focus on targeted interventions and strategies to address the specific needs of its student population and improve student outcomes.

173

Students ?

6.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$23,449

Per pupil spending ?

65.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

307 Lincoln St
Indianapolis, IN 46225

(317) 226-4231

District: Indianapolis Public Schools

Students who attend James A. Garfield School 31 - a STEM School usually attend:

High:	Arsenal Technical High School
	Crispus Attucks High School
	George Washington High School
	Purdue Polytechnic High School Ind
	More...
	Shortridge High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

36.4%

African American:

24.9%

Hispanic:

23.1%

See top rated Indiana elementary schools

Compare James A. Garfield School 31 - a STEM School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 5th percentile in 2015 → 34th in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 29 percentile points since 2015

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Indianapolis Public Schools

✓Small classes — about 7 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Indiana average (33% vs 38% meeting standards)

!High chronic absenteeism (42% vs 17% Indiana)

!Social Studies scores 14 pts below the Indiana average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school33%

District avg21%

Indiana avg38%

666^th of 1,005

Indiana public elementary schools ?

Bottom 34%▲ up 29 pts since 2015

From bottom 5% (2015) to bottom 34% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Indiana Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

8^th of 34Elementary Schools in the Indianapolis Public Schools

300^th of 380Indianapolis Public Schools among Indiana districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Indiana percentile	Rating
2025	36.3	666 of 1005	33.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	22.8	783 of 1011	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	25.5	771 of 1016	24.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	24.1	786 of 1020	22.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	15.1	855 of 1016	15.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	15.1	898 of 1031	12.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	13.2	911 of 1027	11.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	17.4	894 of 1033	13.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	15.0	929 of 1046	11.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	6.7	988 of 1040	5.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2014	11.6	966 of 1036	6.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	11.6	968 of 1035	6.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	14.2	926 of 1015	8.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	4.7	990 of 1025	3.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2010	3.7	990 of 1009	1.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2009	23.1	835 of 1003	16.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	18.5	884 of 996	11.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	27.6	798 of 985	19.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	46.4	599 of 961	37.7%	★★☆☆☆
2005	28.3	780 of 959	18.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Indiana percentile	Rating
2024	11.0	442 of 491	10.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	8.4	460 of 489	5.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	11.0	440 of 490	10.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	9.2	442 of 483	8.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	7.1	444 of 470	5.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	8.3	442 of 473	6.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	4.4	451 of 472	4.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	9.5	453 of 494	8.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	15.9	420 of 485	13.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	15.0	422 of 470	10.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	11.7	411 of 444	7.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	1.3	441 of 447	1.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	9.5	426 of 451	5.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2010	8.3	410 of 428	4.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2009	22.9	363 of 423	14.2%	★☆☆☆☆

By subject vs Indiana (2024-2025) ?

Science39%

English Language Arts34%

Math31%

Social Studies25%-14 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

5★1

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1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, June 9, 2011

Hi....I taught at Public School #31 from 1977 to 1979 after graduating from Purdue University. It has brought many wonderful memories to my life. I went on to teach for 28 more years in California, but being part of IPS was a great way to start my career in elementary educaton. I would love to visit your school as I will be visiting in July of 2011. A walk down the halls of a school that means so much to me would be an inspiriational reminder of my early days of teaching. Close Quote

Schools Near James A. Garfield School 31 - a STEM School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				ILEARN English Language Arts (2025)							ILEARN Math (2025)							ILEARN Science (2025)			ILEARN Social Studies (2025)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ILEARN English Language Arts 3rd Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 4th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 5th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 6th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 7th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 8th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts All Grades	ILEARN Math 3rd Grade	ILEARN Math 4th Grade	ILEARN Math 5th Grade	ILEARN Math 6th Grade	ILEARN Math 7th Grade	ILEARN Math 8th Grade	ILEARN Math All Grades	ILEARN Science 4th Grade	ILEARN Science 6th Grade	ILEARN Science All Grades	ILEARN Social Studies 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
James A. Garfield School 31 - a STEM School	Public	PK, KG-5	307 Lincoln St	Indianapolis	46225	Marion County	Indianapolis Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(317) 226-4231	173	25	6.8	65.3%	63 (36.4%)	43 (24.9%)	40 (23.1%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.7%)	1 (0.6%)	23 (13.3%)	36.3	666^th of 1005 public elementary schools	33.7%		22.8	783^rd of 1011 public elementary schools	22.6%	117	26.1	52.2	25.0				34.3	26.1	47.8	20.8				31.4	39.1		39.1	25.0	$23,449	$3,430	$20,019
SE Neighborhood School of Excellence	Public, Charter	K-8	1601 S Barth Ave	Indianapolis	46203	Marion County	SE Neighborhood School of Excellence	Yes	No	No	Yes	(317) 423-0204	588	58	10.1	88.1%	232 (39.5%)	113 (19.2%)	182 (31.0%)	2 (0.3%)	4 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	55 (9.4%)	16.5	847^th of 1005 public elementary schools	15.7%		12.3	905^th of 1011 public elementary schools	10.5%	58	15.2	16.4	25.4	21.5	20.6	10.9	18.4	24.2	16.4	26.9	16.9	23.8	6.3	19.2	10.9	15.4	13.3	23.9	$15,255	$1,931	$13,324
Eleanor Skillen School 34 - a Montessori School	Public	PK, KG-5	1410 Wade St	Indianapolis	46203	Marion County	Indianapolis Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(317) 226-4234	328	33	9.9	64.6%	114 (34.8%)	73 (22.3%)	103 (31.4%)	9 (2.7%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (8.5%)	9.4	926^th of 1005 public elementary schools	7.9%		16.9	849^th of 1011 public elementary schools	16.0%	77	15.6	3.5	20.0				13.8	20.0	10.3	17.1				16.5	6.9		6.9	11.4	$19,834	$3,632	$16,202
Christel House Academy South	Public, Charter	K-8	2717 S East St	Indianapolis	46225	Marion County	Christel House Academy South	Yes	No	No	Yes	(317) 783-4690	513	35	14.8	80.3%	99 (19.3%)	80 (15.6%)	304 (59.3%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (5.3%)	15.5	855^th of 1005 public elementary schools	14.9%		13.3	896^th of 1011 public elementary schools	11.4%	41	16.3	11.3	32.2	10.9	8.6	19.1	16.4	20.4	28.3	35.6	7.3	11.4	6.0	17.6	13.2	10.9	12.0	8.5	$13,128	$4,744	$8,383
Fredrick Douglas School 19 - an Exploratory School	Public	PK, KG-5	2020 Dawson St	Indianapolis	46203	Marion County	Indianapolis Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(317) 226-4219	259	24	10.7	71.8%	47 (18.1%)	92 (35.5%)	102 (39.4%)	4 (1.5%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (5.0%)	5.7	983^rd of 1005 public elementary schools	2.2%		7.1	969^th of 1011 public elementary schools	4.2%	14	14.0	9.1	4.3				9.2	22.0	6.8	8.5				12.8	6.8		6.8	0.0	$21,329	$3,598	$17,731
Invent Learning Hub	Public, Charter	K-8	1849 E Pleasant Run Pkwy S Dr	Indianapolis	46203	Marion County	Invent Learning Hub	Yes	No	No	Yes	(317) 832-4900	221	19	11.6	94.1%	48 (21.7%)	69 (31.2%)	85 (38.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (8.6%)	7	963^rd of 1005 public elementary schools	4.2%		6.9	972^nd of 1011 public elementary schools	3.9%	9	13.5	18.8	0.0	4.4	15.4	0.0	9.0	19.4	18.8	16.7	0.0	0.0	0.0	10.7	12.5	4.4	7.7	5.6	$17,850	$5,000	$12,850
Edison School of the Arts 47	Public, Magnet	K-8	777 White River Pkwy W Drive	Indianapolis	46221	Marion County	Indianapolis Public Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(317) 226-4992	617	37	16.6	62.6%	88 (14.3%)	224 (36.3%)	248 (40.2%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	55 (8.9%)	12.1	891^st of 1005 public elementary schools	11.3%		13.3	897^th of 1011 public elementary schools	11.3%	6	10.8	26.2	21.3	13.9	25.4	27.3	20.4	14.5	24.6	16.4	9.2	10.5	13.6	14.6	24.6	12.3	18.3	9.8	$21,693	$4,987	$16,706
William McKinley School 39 - an Exploratory School	Public	PK, KG-5	1733 Spann Ave	Indianapolis	46203	Marion County	Indianapolis Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(317) 226-4239	386	27	14.2	70.2%	147 (38.1%)	63 (16.3%)	134 (34.7%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (10.1%)	34.6	679^th of 1005 public elementary schools	32.4%		32.7	698^th of 1011 public elementary schools	31.0%	19	25.5	28.1	26.2				26.6	41.8	38.6	39.3				39.9	35.1		35.1	26.2	$17,722	$3,365	$14,357
Emma Donnan Elementary and Middle	Public, Charter	K-8	1202 E Troy Ave	Indianapolis	46203	Marion County	Adelante Schools	Yes	No	No	Yes	(317) 226-4272	451	34	13.2	81.4%	100 (22.2%)	150 (33.3%)	172 (38.1%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (5.5%)	22.3	796^th of 1005 public elementary schools	20.8%		18.1	834^th of 1011 public elementary schools	17.5%	38	43.9	20.8	11.5	7.7	30.0	16.7	20.7	63.4	39.6	19.2	23.1	20.0	18.2	28.8	10.4	5.8	8.0	5.8	$13,239	$4,034	$9,204
Washington Irving Neighborhood School 14	Public	PK, KG-5	1250 E Market St	Indianapolis	46202	Marion County	Indianapolis Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(317) 226-4214	230	18	12.7	77.4%	27 (11.7%)	137 (59.6%)	44 (19.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (9.6%)	6.3	972^nd of 1005 public elementary schools	3.3%		5.2	995^th of 1011 public elementary schools	1.6%	23	15.2	7.1	9.3				10.6	18.8	21.4	2.3				12.6	7.4		7.4	2.4	$22,500	$3,862	$18,638

Frequently Asked Questions about James A. Garfield School 31 - a STEM School

Is James A. Garfield School 31 - a STEM School a good school?

James A. Garfield School 31 - a STEM School ranks 666^th of 1005 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of James A. Garfield School 31 - a STEM School attend?

Students who attend James A. Garfield School 31 - a STEM School usually go on to attend:

High : Arsenal Technical High School
High : Crispus Attucks High School
High : George Washington High School
High : Purdue Polytechnic High School Ind
High : Shortridge High School

How many students attend James A. Garfield School 31 - a STEM School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 173 students attended James A. Garfield School 31 - a STEM School.

What is the racial makeup of James A. Garfield School 31 - a STEM School?

Students at James A. Garfield School 31 - a STEM School are 36% White, 25% African American, 23% Hispanic, 13% Two or more races, 2% American Indian.

What district is James A. Garfield School 31 - a STEM School in?

Indianapolis Public Schools

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Indiana Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.