IPS School 74

Tim Clevenger, Principal at Theodore Potter, IPS School 74 spoke to Kiwanis about the challenges of urban education.  School 74 is an IPS Kindergarten through 6^th grade Spanish Immersion magnet school.   Clevenger is completing his seventh year as principal of the school.  The school received the Top Gainer School Award in 2007, 2008, and 2010.  It received National Magnet School of Distinction in 2009 and National Magnet School of Excellence Award in 2010 and 2011.  Half of the school day is taught in English and the other half is taught in Spanish to all students.  The Spanish portion is taught by teachers who speak Spanish as their native language.  

Clevenger used data from the IPS districts, Hamilton Southeastern and Greenfield-Central school districts to show the demographics of his school in comparison to suburban schools.  Children in poverty in Marion County are 28.2%, 8.0% in Hancock County, and 5.8% in Hamilton County.  He also contrasted English language learner, free and reduced lunch and special needs populations.  

Since 2009, the 3^rd grade percentage of students passing both sections of ISTEP has risen from 37.2% to 67.6% in 2012.