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These 6 Indianapolis schools awarded the 2024 National Blue Ribbon

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These 6 Indianapolis schools awarded the 2024 National Blue Ribbon


Roncalli High School is one of 16 Indiana schools awarded a National Blue Ribbon in 2024. - NPR File Photo

Roncalli High School is one of 16 Indiana schools awarded a National Blue Ribbon in 2024.

NPR File Photo

Six Indianapolis public charter and private schools won a top federal honor for their scholastic success.

The U.S. Department of Education awarded 16 public and private schools in the state with the 2024 National Blue Ribbon. It’s meant to honor schools that showed progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona says these schools showcase the power of listening to educators and using best practices in teaching math and science.

“You show us what happens when we focus on the instructional core ensuring every student in America receives an excellent education that lets them achieve their dreams,” he said in a video statement.

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In Marion County, the winners include the public charter school Paramount Cottage Home and the private Catholic Roncalli High School.

Paramount Cottage Home is part of the local charter network Paramount Schools of Excellence. The elementary school enrolls around 350 students of which more than 80 percent are children of color. Seventy-five percent of students qualify for free or reduced meals due to their family income.

Last school year, 75 percent of students passed the state’s reading exam.

“The school maintains a focus on hard work in the classroom while scaffolding excitement through the staff coffee shop, urban farm, art walk, and extracurricular programming,” according to a write up on the school’s award page. “This creates an uplifting academic environment.”

Five private schools were also awarded, including four in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Roncalli High School enrolls around 1,000 students in grade 9-12. Last year, 75 percent of students were White and 24 percent were economically disadvantaged.

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In 2024, 98 percent of Roncalli seniors graduated.

“While the majority of our students will continue to study in a post-secondary educational institution after graduation, about 10 percent of the students will attend a military academy, join the armed services, commit to religious life, or begin a career with a trade certification,” according to the school’s award page.

Across the country 356 schools won the Blue Ribbon this year. Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Indiana Department of Education is part of the nomination  process for the award.

The 2024 Indiana winners are:

  • Barr-Reeve Middle/High School, Barr-Reeve Community Schools Inc., Montgomery
  • Heritage Christian School, Indianapolis
  • Ladoga Elementary School, South Montgomery Com School Corp., Ladoga
  • Meadowview Elementary School, Westview School Corp., Shipshewana
  • Oak Hill Elementary School, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp., Evansville
  • Paramount Cottage Home, Paramount Schools of Excellence, Indianapolis
  • Pine Village Elementary School, MSD Warren County, Pine Village
  • Porter Lakes Elementary School, Porter Township School Corp., Hebron
  • Roncalli High School, Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Indianapolis
  • Saint Mary of the Knobs Catholic School, Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Floyds Knobs
  • Saint Wendel Catholic School, Diocese of Evansville, Wadesville
  • Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi Catholic School, Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Greenwood
  • St. Pius X Catholic School, Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Indianapolis
  • St. Theodore Guerin High School, Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana, Noblesville
  • St. Thomas More School, Diocese of Gary, Munster
  • West Lafayette Elementary School, West Lafayette Com School Corp., West Lafayette

Contact WFYI education editor Eric Weddle at eweddle@wfyi.org.

 

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Indianapolis, IN

Caitlin Clark not practicing Tuesday, to do individual workout

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Caitlin Clark not practicing Tuesday, to do individual workout


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Fever head coach Stephanie White said Fever star guard Caitlin Clark will not practice on Tuesday, adding that Clark will be doing an individual workout.

Clark (back) did not play in the Fever’s game on Saturday against the Los Angeles Sparks.

“We want her to be healthy, physically, mentally and emotionally, all the things,” White said on Friday ahead of the game against the Sparks. “I think it’s important to remember, again, when you’ve gone through injury and the traumatic aspect of injury, especially that she had last year, it’s ups and downs, physically, mentally, emotionally, and making sure that she’s 100% ready to go is the most important thing. Her taking care of that is priority for us.”

Clark left the Fever’s game against the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday in the third quarter and did not return.

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Clark has missed two games this season, both due to a back injury. The first game she missed was on May 20 against the Portland Fire.

Clark is averaging 21.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and and 8.2 assists per game this season.

The Fever have a long break before their next game, when they travel to Las Vegas to play the Aces on Sunday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.



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Jazz saxophonist Jared Thompson shares journey of self-acceptance and artistry

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Jazz saxophonist Jared Thompson shares journey of self-acceptance and artistry


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Jazz saxophonist and filmmaker Jared Thompson on a Saturday special show took a look back at his journey from the stage at the Jazz Kitchen to the film set, and from private self-acceptance to public artistry.

Thompson is the bandleader of Premium Blend, a jazz ensemble he founded roughly 11 years ago after wanting to get on the scene and connect with other musicians. The group — saxophone, keyboard, key bass, guitar, and drums — has produced four records in the past six years.

Thompson appeared Saturday on WISH-TV’s “Celebrating Pride 2026,” a special broadcast spotlighting the people and organizations showing up for the LGBTQ+ community across central Indiana.

He said he did not come out until his first semester of college, away from home. The experience, he said, was first about accepting himself.

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“Once I was able to do that just for myself, I was able to say that and represent that to other people around me,” he said. “And I think that’s the most important thing about coming out.”

As a Black gay man, Thompson said he carries the weight — and the richness — of both identities.

“Those lanes intersect,” he said, “and I think that’s something every community, including the gay community, has to realize and understand.”

In 2020, Thompson and guitarist Ryan Taylor co-produced “38th and Postmodernism,” a soundtrack and film project that used jazz to reflect on civil unrest, the pandemic, and the communities most affected.

His message to anyone navigating their identity: you are not alone, and your gifts are a guide.

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“Find solace in your work. You have that gift for a reason,” Thompson said. “It’s going to be tough, but it’s not insurmountable and it’s going to be very rewarding once you come through it.”

This story was formatted for WISHTV.com using AI-assisted tools. Our editorial team reviews and edits all content published to ensure it meets our journalistic standards for accuracy and fairness.



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Indianapolis, IN

State police arrest man in connection with two Monument Circle attacks

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State police arrest man in connection with two Monument Circle attacks


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana State Police have arrested a man in connection with two attacks, including one deadly, near Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis earlier this month.

29-year-old Michael Willis is facing two counts of attempted murder. Police say that the attacks happened on June 19 and June 26, both happening on N Senate Ave. near Monument Circle.

According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by News 8, on June 19, Willis was walking in the area near Monument Circle around 2 a.m. when he approached a person laying down and repeatedly stomped on them. Police say that this first victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition.

The first victim died on Sunday due to their injuries sustained from Willis’s attack, documents say.

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Police also say that on June 26, Willis attacked a different person at the same location near Monument Circle. Police believe that the second victim was repeatedly kicked and stomped on while they were lying down as well. This second attack also took place around 2 a.m.

Indiana State Police detectives shared surveillance photos of Willis from the attacks with other police agencies in an attempt to identify him. Police say Willis was identified by a Greensborough Police Sergeant after Willis had asked the sergeant to use his cell phone.

Police then approached Willis and detained him. Police say that when Willis was detained, he was wearing the same clothes that were seen in the surveillance footage of both attacks. Officers also noticed blood on Willis’s socks.

In an interview with detectives about the July 26 attack, Willis at first said that he was only “nudging” the victim. Police say that according to Willis, he was trying to wake the victim up because he was concerned about them.

Later in the interview, Willis admitted to attacking both victims. Willis said that he was frustrated that he had been homeless and unemployed for around the past 6 months. According to police, Willis also said that the people in the area were “mean and rude” to him.

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Police say that Willis told detectives that he was the only person involved in these attacks.

Willis is currently in custody of the Marion County Jail.



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