From Crisis, to Coherence, to Confidence: How Genius School is Transforming Growth Outcomes
Academic Crisis in Marion County
Indianapolis, IN – In 2025, Marion County’s ILEARN results revealed an academic crisis across all demographics: fewer than 30% of students were proficient in English or math. Black students in nearby Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) and Pike Township scored in the single digits for combined English and math proficiency, according to WFYI’s analysis of state data.
Amid this challenge, The Genius School, a private PreK through 7th grade institution located between IPS and Pike Township, serves students from the communities most affected by the county’s academic disparities. In its first year as a private school, The Genius School’s students demonstrated that coherence leads to greater focus, accelerated growth, and competitive performance, proving that transformation is possible even in the face of crisis.
Academic Achievement: ILEARN
In its inaugural year as a private institution, The Genius School produced competitive ILEARN results and exceptional early literacy outcomes:
| ILEARN 2025 (Grades 3-6) |
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These early ILEARN gains set the stage for the accelerated growth outcomes that follow and demonstrate that with the proper support, children from communities most impacted by the crisis can achieve at the highest levels.
By comparison:
- IPS Black students: ~6% combined ILEARN ELA + Math proficiency
- Pike Township Black students: 11% combined proficiency (varies by school)
These results position The Genius School as a viable option for families seeking a K–12 education that fosters excellence and emotional growth.
Accelerated Growth Metrics
Even more remarkably, The Genius School’s students achieved extraordinary academic growth:
- 88% met Math growth targets, with 55% exceeding expectations
- By comparison, in 2024, 33.5% of students in Indiana met their individual growth target.
- 85% met ELA growth targets, with 42% exceeding
- By comparison, in 2024, 40.7% of students in Indiana met their individual growth target.
- Two years of academic progress in a single year (NWEA MAP)
- 88% met Math growth targets, with 55% exceeding expectations
These accelerated growth outcomes demonstrate that high academic achievement and mastery are achievable when students receive the right tools and holistic support.
Crisis → Coherence → Confidence
The Genius School attributes much of its success to its meditative school culture and collaboration with the HeartMath Institute. In 2024–2025, the school partnered with HeartMath to launch a Student Mental Health and Performance Pilot, bringing peer‑reviewed heart‑brain science directly into the classroom.
- Students practice a science-based meditation protocol that includes HeartMath’s Heart‑Focused Breathing™ and Quick Coherence®, building emotional self‑regulation and focus.
- Daily HRV biofeedback with emWave Pro devices shows students achieving up to 9 minutes at 99% coherence.
- Research from Science of the Heart (McCraty et al., HeartMath Institute) and Aranberri‑Ruiz et al., 2022, demonstrates that HRV coherence training enhances attention, working memory, and stress resilience, supporting measurable academic gains.
Through meditation, biofeedback, and project‑based learning, The Genius School moves students from Crisis to Coherence to Confidence, equipping them with the focus, self‑belief, and cognitive skills to thrive.
A Model for Local Impact
While The Genius School welcomes students of all races and backgrounds, its progress demonstrates the power of intentional, equity‑focused education for the students most affected by Marion County’s academic crisis.
Its holistic model includes:
- Meditation and HeartMath‑based coherence training
- Socio‑emotional wellness integrated with academics
- Cross‑curricular, project‑based learning (including anatomy and physiology to link SEL with science and wellness)
This approach builds both academic mastery and emotional resilience, preparing students for long‑term success in school and life.
Call to Local Partners
The Genius School is seeking community partners and donors to support the expansion of its 1:1 HeartMath technology initiative, ensuring that every student has daily access to coherence‑building tools. This investment will accelerate growth, close local gaps, and transform the academic trajectory of Marion County learners.
About The Genius School
Founded in 2024, The Genius School Inc. (GSI) is a state-accredited, faith-based PreK-7 private school in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our mission is to nurture the whole child—academically, spiritually, physically, and emotionally—through an innovative and holistic approach to education. We offer a responsive academic model tailored to meet the needs of today’s students, with programs that emphasize character development and hands-on learning.
At GSI, we prioritize small class sizes, allowing for personalized instruction and a focus on individual growth. Our diverse and inclusive community is dedicated to equipping students with the tools they need to succeed in school and in life. Through project-based learning, advanced science studies, and specialized programs such as martial arts, we help students discover and unleash their full potential.
For more information, contact us at (317) 643-5430 or follow us on social media:
Facebook: @thegeniusschoolindy
Instagram: @thegeniusschoolindy
Be Part of the Transformation
Together, we can close achievement gaps, nurture the whole child, and transform learning outcomes for students across Indianapolis.