Local schools recognized for literacy achievements

Local schools were recently recognized for achieving high literacy rates by the Indiana Department of Education.

Jeter

Lopez

Huston

“Indiana is seeing real gains in reading achievement which is making a difference in the lives of Hoosier kids,” House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) said. “We’re so proud of the accomplishments of our local schools and students. Thank you to our administrators, teachers, parents and families for prioritizing these skills and ensuring every student has the tools they need to thrive.”

“Through the hard work of our teachers, school leaders, and parents, Indiana demonstrated that a renewed focus on improving literacy moves the needle and ensures Hoosier students are equipped for long-term educational success,” State Rep. Danny Lopez (R-Carmel) said. “I’m so grateful to all who played a role in these remarkable gains!”

“It’s exciting to see our students hitting new milestones in reading,” State Rep. Chris Jeter (R-Fishers) said. “These schools are proof that focused effort and great teaching make a difference. Thank you to all the educators who are shaping our next generation of leaders.”

IDOE recognized more than 400 schools across the state for achieving a 95 percent or higher passage rate on the 2025 Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination (IREAD) assessment at the Literacy Achievement Celebration at the Statehouse on Wednesday, April 8. Several area schools were among those recognized:

• Coram Deo Academy
• Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School
• Saint Simon the Apostle School
• Prairie Trace Elementary School (Carmel Clay Schools)
• Smoky Row Elementary School (Carmel Clay Schools)
• Clay Center Elementary School (Carmel Clay Schools)
• Holy Cross Lutheran School
• Geist Elementary School (HSE Schools)
• Southeastern Elementary School (HSE Schools)
• Brooks School Elementary (HSE Schools)
• Thorpe Creek Elementary (HSE Schools)
• Fall Creek Elementary School (HSE Schools)
• Sand Creek Elementary (HSE Schools)
• Hoosier Road Elementary School (HSE Schools)
• Maple Ridge Elementary School (South Madison Community School Corp.)

In 2023, the General Assembly passed legislation that established science of reading standards and delivered focused support to Indiana students facing the most significant reading difficulties. Last year, Indiana’s third grade reading scores improved by nearly five percentage points, which is the largest single-year increase since the state launched IREAD in 2013. More than 87 percent of Hoosier third graders demonstrated proficiency in reading, putting Indiana’s literacy rate at this grade level back to pre-pandemic levels.

Last year, Indiana’s third grade reading scores improved by nearly five percentage points, which is the largest single-year increase since the state launched IREAD in 2013. More than 87 percent of Hoosier third graders demonstrated proficiency in reading, putting Indiana’s literacy rate at this grade level back to pre-pandemic levels.

These IREAD results follow Indiana placing sixth in the country for fourth and eighth grade reading in the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress rankings.

Results from the 2025 IREAD for individual schools and corporations are available on IDOE’s website.

Click here to learn more about the state’s literacy standards.