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Knights' News

Indianola Informal K-8 Community Newsletter - 2026

Knights'NewsIndianola Informal K-8 Community Newsletter - 2026
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Curious About Indianola?

This edition of our newsletter contains resources for prospective families and partners in the community. Please enjoy these videos that showcase our learning community and share our history! . Each year, applications are accepted via the Parent Portal which you'll have access to following your child's enrollment. Tours are offered throughout the winter each year. Ohio State Testing for grades 3-8 (OST) begins the end of March and requires a quiet atmosphere in all the hallways; we do not offer tours during testing, but can answer questions by phone or email. Questions about Indianola can be emailed to Family Ambassador, Tricia Porostosky, at tporostosky@columbus.k12.oh.us
Vision, Mission, Tenets of Progressive Ed. at Indianola (Click Here)
Columbus alternative school honored on 50th anniversary

Columbus alternative school honored on 50th anniversary

Columbus News, Weather and Sports

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Watch the video about our 50th anniversary celebration!

**We DO NOT anticipate ANY openings at Indianola for grades 6-8 for next school year**

The only middle school openings would be in our Specialized Learning Center for students on an IEP that would qualify them. If your child is currently in a SLC please contact Tricia at the email above to schedule a tour. Please DO NOT RSVP for a tour below if your child is already in the 5th grade or older.

Indy Five

At Indianola, our community is expected to follow the Indy Five: We are Respectful, Responsible, Helpful, Kind, and Peaceful. These behavior expectations are one way we use Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to create a safe and supportive learning environment. The video features reflections by ElizaBeth's 4th grade class and Tracey's K/1 class.
Indy Five

Roots to Wings Mural

Artists Queen Brooks and April Sunami worked with Indianola students to create a mural representing our community.
Indianola Informal video master

Dance at Indianola

Fifth grade students, including Giuliana and Josie, created amazing self-portrait dance duets. They explored ways to transpose the dance phrase using retrograde, direction and level changes.


At Indianola, all grades have an integrated curriculum with an emphasis in art, dance, and music in grades K-5.

Self Portrait Dance - Indianola 5th Grade
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Hands-on Learning

Check out Indy in the news! See the Spectrum News story about our Green Machine and how seventh and eighth grade science teacher, Jared Laughbaum, is using it with his classes.
Green Machine in Schools
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School Choice Lottery Information

The School Choice Lottery application uses an electronic paperless application process. Elementary school lottery applications are accepted via the Parent Portal.


School Choice General Information

From the Columbus City Schools website: Enrollment for students in grades Kindergarten through 12 began on February 2, 2026 for the 2026–2027 school year. To avoid delays, it is essential that all required documents (click "necessary documents" on website to see list) are uploaded at the time of submission.


For parents/guardians of KG-12th grade students wishing to apply to attend a school other than the school assigned: Applications were available via the School Choice link in the Parent Portal on February 2, 2026 with a deadline to be part of the lottery draw of March 31, 2026.


The following video shares a little about school choice and the process to submit a lottery application as well as how to accept an offer (click button that says edit).

FACES - School Choice

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Informal Education School-wide Thematic unit: Water
Virtual Tour Slideshow

More School Choice Information

This video includes a brief history of alternative schools and school choice in Columbus City Schools (beginning at the 8:19 timestamp).

The slides for the presentation on school choice lottery

Indianola Tours Indianola Tours

** Tours for 2027 will be announced the end of December 2026 **

Please RSVP for each adult attending the tour. These are group tours that we cap at around 10 adults.

Event Information
Indianola Friday Morning Tour

***This Tour is Full***

Please arrive early to sign in with a state ID or driver's license and receive a visitor badge. We recommend families park across the street on Weber Rd. The only school entrance for visitors faces Weber Rd. Unfortunately, GPS often routes to the rear of the building on Tibet where there is not a visitor entrance. For better directions, navigate to Lower Olentangy Urban Arboretum.

When?
Friday, Jan 16, 2026, 11:00 AM
Where?
Event Information
Indianola Wednesday Morning Tour

* Indianola students are not in attendance this day.* We recommend families park across the street on Weber Rd. The only school entrance for visitors faces Weber Rd. Unfortunately, GPS often routes to the rear of the building on Tibet where there is not a visitor entrance. For better directions, navigate to Lower Olentangy Urban Arboretum.

When?
Wednesday, Jan 21, 2026, 11:00 AM
Where?
Event Information
Indianola Wednesday Afternoon Tour

* Indianola students are not in attendance this day.* We recommend families park across the street on Weber Rd. The only school entrance for visitors faces Weber Rd. Unfortunately, GPS often routes to the rear of the building on Tibet where there is not a visitor entrance. For better directions, navigate to Lower Olentangy Urban Arboretum.

When?
Wednesday, Jan 21, 2026, 12:30 PM
Where?
Event Information
Indianola Tuesday Afternoon Tour

**This Tour is Full**

Please arrive early to sign in with a state ID or driver's license and receive a visitor badge. We recommend families park across the street on Weber Rd. The only school entrance for visitors faces Weber Rd. Unfortunately, GPS often routes to the rear of the building on Tibet where there is not a visitor entrance. For better directions, navigate to Lower Olentangy Urban Arboretum.

When?
Tuesday, Jan 27, 2026, 12:30 PM
Where?
Event Information
Indianola Friday February 6 Morning Tour

**This tour is full**

Please arrive early to sign in with a state ID or driver's license and receive a visitor badge. We recommend families park across the street on Weber Rd. The only school entrance for visitors faces Weber Rd. Unfortunately, GPS often routes to the rear of the building on Tibet where there is not a visitor entrance. For better directions, navigate to Lower Olentangy Urban Arboretum.

When?
Friday, Feb 6, 2026, 11:00 AM
Where?
Event Information
Indianola Tuesday February 10 Afternoon Tour

**This tour is full**

Please arrive early to sign in with a state ID or driver's license and receive a visitor badge. We recommend families park across the street on Weber Rd. The only school entrance for visitors faces Weber Rd. Unfortunately, GPS often routes to the rear of the building on Tibet where there is not a visitor entrance. For better directions, navigate to Lower Olentangy Urban Arboretum.

When?
Tuesday, Feb 10, 2026, 12:30 PM
Where?
Event Information
Indianola Thursday Evening Tour

**This tour is full **

We recommend families park across the street on Weber Rd. The only school entrance for visitors faces Weber Rd. Unfortunately, GPS often routes to the rear of the building on Tibet where there is not a visitor entrance. For better directions, navigate to Lower Olentangy Urban Arboretum.

When?
Thursday, Feb 19, 2026, 06:00 PM
Where?
Event Information
Indianola Friday February 27 Afternoon Tour

**This tour is full**

Please arrive early to sign in with a state ID or driver's license and receive a visitor badge. We recommend families park across the street on Weber Rd. The only school entrance for visitors faces Weber Rd. Unfortunately, GPS often routes to the rear of the building on Tibet where there is not a visitor entrance. For better directions, navigate to Lower Olentangy Urban Arboretum.

When?
Friday, Feb 27, 2026, 12:30 PM
Where?
Event Information
Indianola Tuesday March 3 Afternoon Tour

**This tour is full**

Please arrive early to sign in with a state ID or driver's license and receive a visitor badge. We recommend families park across the street on Weber Rd. The only school entrance for visitors faces Weber Rd. Unfortunately, GPS often routes to the rear of the building on Tibet where there is not a visitor entrance. For better directions, navigate to Lower Olentangy Urban Arboretum.

When?
Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026, 12:30 PM
Where?
Event Information
Indianola Thursday Evening Tour

We recommend families park across the street on Weber Rd. The only school entrance for visitors faces Weber Rd. Unfortunately, GPS often routes to the rear of the building on Tibet where there is not a visitor entrance. For better directions, navigate to Lower Olentangy Urban Arboretum.

Email Tricia at tporostosky@columbus.k12.oh.us if you are interested in this tour.

When?
Thursday, Mar 5, 2026, 06:00 PM
Where?
Event Information
Indianola Friday March 6 Morning Tour

**This tour is full**

Please arrive early to sign in with a state ID or driver's license and receive a visitor badge. We recommend families park across the street on Weber Rd. The only school entrance for visitors faces Weber Rd. Unfortunately, GPS often routes to the rear of the building on Tibet where there is not a visitor entrance. For better directions, navigate to Lower Olentangy Urban Arboretum.

When?
Friday, Mar 6, 2026, 11:00 AM
Where?

Support Before the First Day of Kindergarten

In May 2025, we welcomed newly enrolled kindergarteners (those who accepted lottery offers) and their adults to visit Indianola during a Welcome to Kindergarten meeting. We also offered a Zoom meeting for adults to learn more about Indianola and how to prepare their child for kindergarten. In August, we invited kindergarten and 1st grade families to the K/1 playdate. Through the fall, we offer tours to families of newly enrolled Indianola students in grades K-5 and work to connect them with volunteer opportunities at Indianola and resources in the community.

School Calendar 2025-2026

Though Monday, August 25 was listed as the first day of school, our kindergarteners had a staggered start to the school year. Kindergarteners were assigned one morning to attend , either August 25, 26, or 27, from 9 am to noon. Their first full day of school was Thursday, August 28.

GreenSpot School: Indianola Informal K-8
Blueprint Columbus Indianola Informal Field Trip
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Indianola Informal K-8

Please contact us

General: indianolaes@columbus.k12.oh.us

Family Ambassador: tporostosky@columbus.k12.oh.us

PTO: indianolapto@gmail.com


FACTline: factline@columbus.k12.oh.us

614-221-FACT (614-221-3228)

Customer Relations: customerrelations@columbus.k12.oh.us

(614) 365-8888

Website: https://www.ccsoh.us/indianolainformalk8
Location: 251 East Weber Road, Columbus, OH, USA
Phone: 614-365-5579

Tricia Porostosky
Tricia is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters
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