RISE Learning Center

RISE Learning Center is a small alternative school in Indianapolis, IN, serving about 200 students in grades PK–12 at 5391 S Shelby St, and it operates as its own district, Southside Sp Srvs Of Marion County. Because every nearby comparison school is also an alternative program located roughly 7 to 14 miles away rather than a neighborhood-zoned school, these comparisons are best read as alternative-program-to-alternative-program, not like-for-like comparisons with a typical comprehensive school.

The most striking thing about RISE is attendance. In 2024–25, 45.9% of students were chronically absent — about 2.75 times the state rate of 16.7%, and higher than most nearby alternatives with reported data, such as Damar Charter Academy (42.6%), Pride Academy (38.5%), and Warren Online Academy (38.3%). That is a real improvement from 55.6% → 58.3% → 59.4% → 45.9%, but attendance remains a major challenge, and it likely helps explain the low test results. On ILEARN in 2025–26, all-grades ELA proficiency was 0%, math was 3.77%, and science was 16.67%, far below state grade-level benchmarks of roughly 40–44% ELA. Historically, ELA and math have mostly stayed in the low single digits. Science is comparatively less weak: 16.67% beat IN Math & Science Academy - North (9.3%), Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy (7.32%), and Indiana School For The Deaf (7.41%).

RISE also spends heavily: $42,785 per student in 2023–24, second only to Pride Academy's $54,422 and roughly 2.9 times, 2.8 times, and 5.6 times the per-pupil amounts at IN Math & Science Academy - North, Phalen, and Warren Online Academy. Its student-teacher ratio of 12.5 is moderate rather than extreme, and its free/reduced-lunch rate of 55% is lower than several alternative peers. No graduation rate was reported for RISE, and small cohorts make single-year percentages volatile.