Indy Steam Academy vs Center for Inquiry School 70
Indy Steam Academy has a higher overall rating of 9.8/10 compared to 9.3/10. Center for Inquiry School 70 is significantly larger with 454 students, about 2.6× the size of Indy Steam Academy (176). In math proficiency, Center for Inquiry School 70 leads at 44.0%.
Indy Steam Academy
Indianapolis, IN
176 students
Center for Inquiry School 70
Indianapolis, IN
454 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | Indy Steam Academy | Center for Inquiry School 70 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.8 / 10 | 9.3 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 9.3 | 8.6 |
| Growth Score | 10.0 | 9.9 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 78.4% | 24.2% |
| Environment Score | 9.8 | 9.1 |
| State Rank | #1 of 1,823 | #12 of 1,823 |
| State Percentile | 100th | 99th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Indy Steam Academy | Center for Inquiry School 70 |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 10.0% | 44.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 53.3% | 39.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | 40.6% | — |
School Details
| Detail | Indy Steam Academy | Center for Inquiry School 70 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Kindergarten – 6th | Kindergarten – 8th |
| Enrollment | 176 | 454 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 11.0:1 | 16.2:1 |
| Per-Pupil Spending | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 78.4% | 24.2% |
| Chronic Absenteeism | — | — |
| District | Indy Steam Academy | Indianapolis Public Schools |
| City | Indianapolis | Indianapolis |
Neighborhood
| Metric | Indianapolis (46226) | Indianapolis (46205) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $47,086 | $65,756 |
| Median Home Value | $148,900 | $278,000 |
| Median Rent | $1,045 | $1,087 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 23.8% | 51.3% |
| Poverty Rate | 19.4% | 15.0% |
| Avg Commute | 24 min | 23 min |
The data story: Indy Steam Academy vs Center for Inquiry School 70
Indy Steam Academy and Center for Inquiry School 70 sit 2.5 miles apart in Indianapolis, yet their overall ratings diverge by half a point — Indy Steam Academy at 9.8/10 versus Center for Inquiry School 70 at 9.3/10. That gap is sharpened by their state ranks: Indy Steam Academy holds the #1 position among 1,823 Indiana schools while Center for Inquiry School 70 ranks #12, making both genuinely elite options but placing Indy Steam Academy at an uncommon level of distinction statewide.
On measured academics, Indy Steam Academy scores a 9.3/10 versus Center for Inquiry School 70's 8.6/10 — a 0.7-point delta that represents a meaningful difference in tested proficiency. Growth scores are nearly identical: Indy Steam Academy posts a perfect 10.0/10 against Center for Inquiry School 70's 9.9/10, meaning students at both schools make exceptional year-over-year academic progress regardless of where they start.
The demographic and structural differences between the two schools are substantial. Indy Steam Academy enrolls 176 students compared to Center for Inquiry School 70's 454, and its student-teacher ratio of 11.0:1 is markedly more intimate than the 16.2:1 ratio at Center for Inquiry School 70. Free and reduced-price lunch eligibility stands at 78% at Indy Steam Academy versus 24% at Center for Inquiry School 70, reflecting sharply different income profiles in each school's community. Indy Steam Academy is a charter school; Center for Inquiry School 70 is a regular public school with an inquiry-based instructional model.
Grade span is also a practical differentiator. Center for Inquiry School 70 runs from kindergarten through eighth grade, keeping students in a continuous environment through middle school. Indy Steam Academy serves kindergarten through sixth grade only, meaning families will need to plan a school transition one to two years earlier. For households prioritizing a single-school experience through eighth grade, that distinction carries real logistical weight.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Indy Steam Academy
Indy Steam Academy suits families who want Indiana's top-ranked school — particularly those comfortable with a smaller charter setting, smaller class sizes, and a STEAM-focused curriculum. Its 11.0:1 student-teacher ratio makes it a strong fit for kids who thrive with more individualized attention, and its high academic score relative to Center for Inquiry School 70 gives it an edge for parents prioritizing tested proficiency above all else.
Center for Inquiry School 70
Center for Inquiry School 70 fits families who want a neighborhood public school with a proven inquiry-based model and a longer runway — KG through 8th grade under one roof. Its larger, more affluent enrollment and 16.2:1 ratio suit kids who do well in a bigger peer community, and its #12 state rank makes it an exceptionally strong default for families zoned nearby who want to avoid a charter application process.