Parent's Guide: Paramount Schools of Excellence

What is Paramount? Is it a Corporation?

You might hear the name "Paramount" and think of the massive global entertainment corporation (Paramount Pictures/Viacom). They are not related.

Paramount Schools of Excellence (PSOE) is a homegrown, Indiana-based 501(c)(3) non-profit charter school network. It is operated by local educators and community leaders, not a big-box corporate conglomerate. Their mission is focused purely on urban education, community revitalization, and hands-on learning for K-8 students.

How Do They Rank Against Other Schools?

Paramount is widely considered one of the most successful charter school networks in Indiana.

State Grades: Paramount campuses consistently earn an "A" rating from the Indiana Department of Education.
Test Scores: Their students frequently outperform their peers in traditional local public school districts on the ILEARN state assessments, particularly in math and English.
National Recognition: The network has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School, a highly prestigious award given for academic excellence and closing achievement gaps.

What's in the News: Are They Expanding?

Yes, they are actively expanding. Because of their high success rate in Indianapolis (with campuses like Brookside, Cottage Home, and Englewood), the state has encouraged PSOE to replicate its model in other cities.

Recent news highlights their statewide growth:

Lafayette: Opened a new campus to bring their successful model to the Greater Lafayette area.
South Bend: Launched Paramount South Bend, marking their continued expansion into Northern Indiana.
High School Expansion: While historically a K-8 network, they have begun building out high school options to allow students to continue their education within the Paramount system.

What Makes the Paramount Experience Different for a Kid?

If your child goes to Paramount, their day looks a little different than a traditional public school:

The Urban Farm: Paramount is famous for integrating real working farms into their schools. Students get hands-on experience caring for goats, chickens, and bees, and learning about urban agriculture.
Time and Space Discovery: Campuses feature interactive astronomy and space centers where students can engage in unique STEM activities.
High Expectations: The academic environment is rigorous and highly structured, but paired with deep community support and innovative extracurriculars.