Zones

We used multiple factors in determining how to draw zones lines, but three rose to the top of the priorities:

First, we drew zones using existing neighborhood school boundaries. We did this because nearly 70% of students in Grades K-8 attend a neighborhood school, and we didn’t want to draw zones lines that cut through these neighborhood boundaries that have organized school enrollment for decades.  

Second, we drew zones to try to ensure that each zone had populations with proportional composition by race and income. In any city with significant segregation by geography, this is a challenge. And this was a challenge in Indianapolis as well. But the proposed version of zones boundaries achieved the greatest degree of parity among IPS student demographics in each zone. 

Finally, we drew zones using multiple years of family movement data so that we could group together geographies where families have tended in the past to move in clusters. For example, if we had implemented zones three years ago, 76% of student transfers in the middle of the year would have not been necessary because the family moved from one address to another in the same zone, meaning they would have been able to stay at their first school with transportation. One of the main goals of zones is to create significant stability at all schools, so drawing the zones in a way that captured 76% of past mobility aligned with that goal.

NOTE: When IPS created the proposed zones, we analyzed IPS’ current enrollment. Based on that analysis, 62% of students in K-8 qualified for free or reduced-price lunch across the entire district. Of students in Zone 1, 61% qualified for free or reduced-price lunch, 55% of students in Zone 2 qualified for free or reduced-price lunch, 56% of students in Zone 3 qualified for free or reduced-price lunch, and 70% of students in Zone 4 qualified for free or reduced-price lunch. IPS does not collect family income from our families, so we do not have a comparable analysis to determine median income by zone for our current IPS families. 

These programs generally require specialized requirements or referrals by school based personnel in order for students to attend. Please contact your student’s respective school to explore these programs.

• Graduation Academy
• Newcomer Program @ Northwest Middle School
• Positive Supports Academy
• ROOTS Program
• Simon Youth Academy
• Step Ahead Academy

Post Rebuilding Stronger, students can attend an IPS Pre-K seat at one of our locations spread out across the district in each zone. We moved Pre-K out of the Francis Bellamy building, which is in poor condition, and closer to where families live and work. Pre-K enrollment will be based on zone residence, and siblings will get priority. 

• District – Student’s family resides within the district boundary. 
• Zone: Zone Map
  • Note: all PreK families will have to apply to their preferred elementary schools.

• District – Student’s family resides within the district boundary.
• Pipeline Guarantee (Year 1 Only) – In year one, out-of-zone program students would have a guaranteed seat at their in-zone school (ex: CFI 70 family living on S side would have guaranteed seat at CFI 34/57)
• Siblings – Families with out-of-zone siblings would earn seats before in-zone families without siblings
• Zone: Zone Map
• Impacted by Rebuilding Stronger Changes – a current school is projected to end instruction, merge with another school, or add a new program will have the opportunity to receive an additional lottery priority to in-zone schools with transportation.
• IPS Employee – IPS employees that choose an IPS school for their student(s)

• District – Student’s family resides within the district boundary.
• Pipeline Guarantee – Ensures students in K-5 programs receive a seat in 6-8 in-zone program
• Siblings – Families with out-of-zone siblings would earn seats before in-zone families without siblings
• Zone: Zone Map
  • At the middle school level, some schools such as high ability, dual language, STEM, visual and performing arts and others are accessible across multiple zones.
• Impacted by Rebuilding Stronger Changes – a current school is projected to end instruction, merge with another school, or add a new program will have the opportunity to receive an additional lottery priority to in-zone schools with transportation.
• IPS Employee – IPS employees that choose an IPS school for their student(s)

We will provide every family with a one-year transportation reprieve allowing families to remain at their school of choice and receive a bus assignment. This will give more time for families to make alternative arrangements for transportation or make a new school choice.  

If the school you choose is in your zone and you would otherwise still qualify for transportation then transportation will continue. If your school is in another zone or you would otherwise not qualify for transportation then you will no longer receive transportation after the reprieve.

You can select a school outside of my family’s zone. However, in-zone students receive priority, and transportation is only provided within the zone for certain schools. Some schools serve multiple zones. If you get a seat at a school that doesn’t serve your zone, your family will be responsible for transportation to and from the school.