Center for Inquiry School 27

525 Students

Elementary School Pre-K - 8th

School Overview

Center for Inquiry (CFI) School 27 is a highly regarded magnet school located in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood of Indianapolis. As part of the Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) district, the school operates under the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework, which emphasizes inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and global-mindedness. The curriculum is designed to encourage students to take ownership of their education by asking complex questions, conducting research, and applying their knowledge to real-world problems.

Beyond academics, CFI 27 is known for fostering a strong, inclusive community culture that values student voice and collaborative project-based learning. The school serves a diverse student body and is frequently recognized for its rigorous yet supportive environment, which seeks to prepare students not just for testing, but for active citizenship. By integrating traditional subjects with artistic, social, and scientific exploration, CFI 27 aims to develop well-rounded learners who are equipped to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

525

Total Students

37.0

Full-Time Teachers

14.2

Student/Teacher Ratio

29.3%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Center for Inquiry School 27
Demographic	Student Count
White	204
Hispanic	109
Black	157
Asian	7
Two or More	47
American Indian	1

White
204 (38.9 %)
Black
157 (29.9 %)
Hispanic
109 (20.8 %)
Two or More
47 (9.0 %)
Asian
7 (1.3 %)
American Indian
1 (0.2 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Indianapolis Public Schools
Phone:	(317)226-4227
Grade Range:	Pre-K - 8th
Total Students:	525
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	37.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	14.2
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	150
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	4

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Pre-Kindergarten 74

Kindergarten 50

Grade 1 52

Grade 2 52

Grade 3 47

Grade 4 55

Grade 5 45

Grade 6 51

Grade 7 49

Grade 8 50