Purpose and History of the School For academically gifted children from age 2 to 8 th Grade, Sycamore School is the only private school for gifted children in Indiana, one of only a few in the nation. Founded in 1985 without government or church ties, it is an independent private school. Opened with 110 students, it is now nearly full with 425 students Sycamore School is housed in the former Grandview Elementary School, which it purchased from Washington Township in 1996. Located in a middle-income African American neighborhood, the school is an asset to the area. Financially sound, tuition covers operating costs.
Donations enhance the school.
Accomplishments of Students and Teachers Teachers are highly trained for their subjects and student age levels, and in gifted education. Teachers make many presentations at national and regional conventions for educators of the gifted. Students have won major awards for mathematics, science, art, music, Spanish, poetry, essays, and public service. Symphonic Band was invited to perform at the National Band Festival at Carnegie Hall in 1997. Three of the seven Prelude Award winners in 1998 were Sycamore graduates.