How Meditation, Science, and Resilience Drive Success at The Genius School
Indianapolis, IN – In Marion County, fewer than 30% of students are proficient in English or math. In nearby districts like IPS and Pike Township, Black students scored in the single digits for combined proficiency. Add to that the impact of the pandemic on our youngest learners, and experts predicted it could take years — even decades — to recover.
At The Genius School, we saw something different.
In 2025, 100% of our 3rd graders passed the IREAD-3 exam. Every single one. And so did every 2nd grader who was with us for the full year. On ILEARN, 88% of our students met their growth goals in math and 85% in ELA — with over half exceeding expectations. These results prove that with the right tools, even the deepest gaps can be closed.
But numbers only tell part of the story. The real difference at The Genius School is how our students learn.
The Genius Approach: Science of Reading Meets Science of the Heart
Every day, our students engage in Genius Groups, a schoolwide initiative where they work in small, dynamic, leveled groups. This allows us to target each child’s exact needs and accelerate growth.
But academic rigor alone isn’t enough. Learning requires focus, resilience, and confidence. That’s why The Genius School has integrated the Genius School Meditation Protocol™ — a set of five science-based practices that help students regulate their emotions and prepare their minds to learn:
Physiological Breathing – two inhales, one long exhale to calm the nervous system.
Quick Coherence® – connecting heart and breath with positive emotions.
Cyclic Hyperventilation – energizing breathwork for readiness before challenges.
Visualization – mental imagery to build confidence and goal-directed focus.
Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR) – a mindful reset to recharge the nervous system.
As one of our students explained in a recent video:
“When we meditate, we literally change our brain waves. We move into calmer and more focused states that help us learn.”
Student Voice: The Science of Resilience
All learners at The Genius School are exposed to this science and our 2nd through 7th graders can explain the connection between heart, brain, and learning.
Major, a 4th grader at The Genius School, put it this way:
“Coherence is when your heart, mind, and emotions are balanced. Your sympathetic nervous system is like a gas pedal, and your parasympathetic nervous system is like a brake. When you use heart-focused breathing and think about love and kindness, you can recharge your battery.”
This is not just a clever observation — it is evidence of how deeply our students grasp complex science. At The Genius School, even elementary students can explain resilience in language that connects physiology, emotions, and faith. That is the power of our approach: students not only practice skills, but also understand and own them.
National Recognition: HeartMath Institute
Our partnership with the HeartMath Institute has brought coherence training and biofeedback technology into the classroom. Using Inner Balance® and emWave Pro® devices, our students track their own stress and focus levels in real-time and learn how to shift into a state of calm.
The results have been so remarkable that the HeartMath Institute highlighted The Genius School as a national model. Their report noted that some of our students sustained up to nine minutes of coherence at a 99% green level — an achievement rare even for adults.
They also found strong links between coherence scores and academic success. Amaya, who has been with us since kindergarten, is now entering 7th grade as valedictorian, martial arts captain, and performing in the 90th percentile academically nationwide.
However, it is not just the long-term impact. Dillian, one of our 1st grade students, after only her kindergarten year, is already performing in the 85th percentile academically and thriving in our martial arts program. From our earliest learners to those who have been with us for years, the results are the same: focus, resilience, and academic excellence.
Academic Growth That Outpaces the State
The Genius School’s success is not just about individual stories — the data shows evident, measurable progress. While Marion County’s ILEARN results revealed an academic crisis, with fewer than 30% of students proficient in English or math, our scholars are proving that transformation is possible.
- Twenty-one % of our 3rd–6th graders passed both ILEARN ELA and Math in our first year as a private school — outperforming local averages, where combined proficiency fell into the single digits.
- 88% of students met their growth goals in Math, compared to just 33.5% statewide.
- 85% of students met their growth goals in ELA, compared to 40.7% statewide.
- More than half of our students exceeded their growth expectations, demonstrating progress equivalent to over a year in a single school year.
- Twenty-one % of our 3rd–6th graders passed both ILEARN ELA and Math in our first year as a private school — outperforming local averages, where combined proficiency fell into the single digits.
These accelerated outcomes demonstrate that when students are equipped with both academic and emotional tools — through Genius Groups, Science of Reading instruction, and daily meditation practices — they not only catch up, but also surpass their peers. They leap ahead.
From Crisis → Coherence → Confidence
What makes The Genius School unique is not just its results, but its philosophy:
- Academic Mastery through Genius Groups — our daily, schoolwide initiative that accelerates growth by grouping students by skill level rather than grade. Combined with evidence-based instruction aligned to the Science of Reading, Genius Groups enable students to achieve 1.5–2 years of growth in a single school year, closing gaps more quickly than traditional models.
- Emotional Resilience through meditation and HeartMath practices. Our scholars not only learn coping strategies, but they also practice them daily. From physiological breathing to Non-Sleep Deep Rest, students have concrete tools to regulate stress, calm their nervous systems, and refocus their energy. Even students who once struggled with behavior and self-control now lead meditation routines for their peers. Emotional Resilience is no longer an intervention — it is part of the fabric of learning.
- Student Empowerment: As children learn to explain and own the science behind their learning. Whether it is a 4th grader like Major describing the nervous system as “a gas pedal and a brake,” or middle schoolers presenting their data on heart-brain coherence, our students understand why these practices work. This builds confidence, independence, and dignity. They do not see themselves as broken or behind — they see themselves as scientists of their own growth.
- Academic Mastery through Genius Groups — our daily, schoolwide initiative that accelerates growth by grouping students by skill level rather than grade. Combined with evidence-based instruction aligned to the Science of Reading, Genius Groups enable students to achieve 1.5–2 years of growth in a single school year, closing gaps more quickly than traditional models.
This is what it looks like to move from crisis → coherence → confidence.
Be Part of the Transformation
At The Genius School, we believe every child can achieve at the highest levels — academically, emotionally, and spiritually. But this work requires resources and partners who believe in our mission.
Here’s how you can help:
Enroll your child and experience a school that nurtures the whole student.
Tour our classrooms and see meditation, Genius Groups, and academic growth in action.
Donate to support tuition assistance, 1:1 biofeedback devices, and teacher training.
Together, we can close achievement gaps, nurture resilience, and raise a generation of confident learners who lead with both head and heart.
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.