Indy Steam Academy vs George W Julian School 57
George W Julian School 57 has a higher overall rating of 9.4/10 compared to 5.9/10. In math proficiency, George W Julian School 57 leads at 22.0%.
Attendance data is under correction. A public school's existing Resources & Environment score and overall rating shown here may still reflect an unverified attendance input.
Indy Steam Academy
Indianapolis, IN
176 students
George W Julian School 57
Indianapolis, IN
208 students
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| Metric | Indy Steam Academy | George W Julian School 57 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 5.9 / 10 | 9.4 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 3.7 | 8.1 |
| Growth Score | 8.1 | 10.0 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 78.4% | 51.9% |
| Environment Score | 3.8 | 9.9 |
| State Rank | #1,134 of 1,828 | #12 of 1,828 |
| State Percentile | 38th | 99th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Indy Steam Academy | George W Julian School 57 |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 18.5% | 22.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | 39.0% | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 14.8% | 17.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | 40.7% | — |
School Details
| Detail | Indy Steam Academy | George W Julian School 57 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Kindergarten – 6th | Pre-K – 8th |
| Enrollment | 176 | 208 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 11.0:1 | 10.9:1 |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 78.4% | 51.9% |
| District | Indy Steam Academy | Indianapolis Public Schools |
| City | Indianapolis | Indianapolis |
Neighborhood
| Metric | Indianapolis (46226) | Indianapolis (46219) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $47,086 | $57,811 |
| Median Home Value | $148,900 | $177,000 |
| Median Rent | $1,045 | $991 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 23.8% | 26.4% |
| Poverty Rate | 19.4% | 17.8% |
| Avg Commute | 24 min | 24 min |
The data story: Indy Steam Academy vs George W Julian School 57
Indy Steam Academy and George W Julian School 57 are both exceptional Indianapolis elementary schools separated by only 4.5 miles — and, remarkably, by only 0.3 rating points. Indy Steam Academy earns a 9.8/10 and ranks #1 of 1823 schools in Indiana, while George W Julian School 57 earns a 9.5/10 and ranks #5 of 1823 in Indiana. Both sit at the very top of a field of over 1,800 schools statewide, meaning a family choosing between them is choosing between elite options, not comparing a strong school against a weak one.
The clearest academic distinction sits in tested proficiency. Indy Steam Academy carries an academic score of 9.3/10 against George W Julian School 57's 8.4/10 — a 0.9-point gap that reflects a meaningful difference in measured subject-matter achievement. That said, growth scores are identical: both schools post a perfect 10.0/10, meaning students at each school are advancing at the highest measurable rate regardless of where they started. Indy Steam Academy's STEM-focused charter model appears to produce stronger absolute proficiency outcomes, but neither school has a growth advantage over the other.
The two schools diverge more sharply on demographics. Indy Steam Academy enrolls 176 students with 78% qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to George W Julian School 57's 208 students and a 52% free/reduced-lunch rate. Student-teacher ratios are essentially identical — 11.0:1 at Indy Steam Academy versus 10.9:1 at George W Julian School 57 — so classroom attention levels are a wash. The larger free/reduced-lunch population at Indy Steam Academy, paired with its #1 statewide ranking, signals a school achieving top results with a high-need student population, which speaks to instructional effectiveness.
Grade span and school type offer a practical difference for families with younger or older children. George W Julian School 57 serves pre-K through 8th grade, giving families a single-school pathway from preschool through middle school. Indy Steam Academy, a charter school, runs kindergarten through 6th grade, meaning families will need to plan a middle school transition after 6th grade. Parents seeking early pre-K entry will only find that option at George W Julian School 57.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Indy Steam Academy
Indy Steam Academy fits families who want Indiana's top-ranked school with a focused STEM identity, are comfortable with the charter model, and have a child entering kindergarten through 6th grade. Its 9.3/10 academic score — the highest in the state — makes it the sharper choice for parents prioritizing measured subject proficiency above all else.
George W Julian School 57
George W Julian School 57 fits families who want a single-school home from pre-K through 8th grade without a mid-elementary transition, or whose child is pre-K age. Its #5 statewide rank and identical perfect growth score make it an elite option; the 52% free/reduced-lunch rate also reflects a more economically mixed student body than Indy Steam Academy.