How to Become a Teacher in Indianapolis
Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) is Indiana’s largest public school district and hires many teachers to serve over 30,000 enrolled students.1 To teach in the district, you must be certified through the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE). Private and charter schools may have different requirements, which you can read more about in our private and charter schools in Indianapolis section. Read more below about employment opportunities and requirements for teachers in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Teacher Certification Requirements
Teaching certification is required to teach in the public school system in Indiana. Certification requires candidates to complete a bachelor’s degree and an Indiana-approved teacher preparation program or an approved out-of-state or online program. Find out more on our Indiana teacher certification page.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another subject, you can complete a shorter, alternative program, such as Transition to Teach, for middle school and high school teaching. An alternative program can help you save time and money compared to completing another full bachelor’s degree. Earning a master’s degree with an approved teacher preparation program is another option. See our Indiana alternative teacher certification page for more information.
Teacher Certification Programs in Indianapolis
The colleges and universities below offer teacher preparation programs in the Indianapolis metropolitan area that can be a stepping stone to teacher certification or additional endorsements. See our Indiana education schools page for more information on schools in the state.
- Anderson University
- Butler University
- Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
- Marian University
- Martin University
- University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis School District Steps for Becoming a Teacher
The IPS district requires prospective teachers to have state certification. The traditional route to certification is to complete a bachelor’s degree with a state-approved teacher preparation component that includes student teaching experience. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can complete an approved alternative program that allows you to meet the requirements while gaining hands-on experience. See the Certification section for more information about these options. Once you have your certificate, you can start applying for teaching jobs in Indianapolis.
Step 1: Complete the online application and apply to open positions.
You must fill out the online application before you can apply to open positions in the school district. Once your application is complete, you can browse the jobs and submit your profile for review.
Step 2: Attend an interview with school staff.
You will likely be asked to attend an interview with the school principal or other administrative staff. The school may ask you to prepare additional information or documents, such as lesson plans or references. Some schools may ask you to teach a sample lesson to a panel so that they can get a sense of your teaching style.
Step 3: Complete the hiring process.
If you are offered a job, you will complete administrative and human resources paperwork before you begin on your first day. You may also need to attend an orientation. The school will let you know the necessary steps.
Contact Information
Indianapolis Public Schools
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IPSSchools
Twitter: https://x.com/ipsschools
120 E Walnut St
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 226-4000
https://myips.org/
How to Become a Substitute Teacher with the Indianapolis School District
Substitute teacher positions in IPS are managed by a third party, the Parallel Education Division (Parallel Ed), and you can apply by completing the online application. You must then apply for a Substitute Permit through the IDOE, which costs $15 and is valid for three years. Vacancies are communicated to approved substitute teachers by Parallel Ed as they arise.
Private and Charter School Teacher Requirements in Indianapolis
Private schools operate through private revenue and donations while charter schools operate through public funding according to specific operational mandates. Because both types of schools operate outside of the public system, teacher certification might not be required and these schools may have different hiring requirements. You can search for jobs in private and charter schools online, at job fairs, and through teacher networks. To apply, you should generally submit a resume, cover letter, and references. Prior teaching experience or certification will be assets in the hiring process. You will likely attend an interview with school officials before being offered a position. There are many well-known private and charter schools throughout Indianapolis where you might find teaching roles.
The Largest K-12 Schools in Indianapolis
We compiled the following table of the largest public, private, and charter schools in Indianapolis to help you compare schools that may be hiring qualified teachers.
| School | Type | Grade Level | # Students | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Foster School No. 367 | Public | PK-7 | 693 | 14:1 |
| William Penn School No. 49 | Public | PK-7 | 658 | 20:1 |
| Clarence Farrington School No. 61 | Public | PK-6 | 657 | 16:1 |
| Clark-Pleasant Middle School | Public | 6-8 | 1,557 | 20:1 |
| Fall Creek Valley Middle School | Public | 6-8 | 1,275 | 20:1 |
| Franklin Township Middle School East | Public | 6-8 | 1,263 | 19:1 |
| Arsenal Technical High School No. 716 | Public | 9-12 | 1,965 | 12:1 |
| George Washington Community High School No. 721 | Public | 9-12 | 444 | 5:1 |
| Arlington Community High School | Public | 7-12 | 317 | 13:1 |
| Irvington Community School | Charter | K-12 | 994 | 17:1 |
| Indianapolis Lighthouse Charter School | Charter | K-12 | 899 | 13:1 |
| Herron High School | Charter | 9-12 | 861 | 14:1 |
| Cathedral High School | Private | 9-12 | 1,313 | 10:1 |
| Heritage Christian School | Private | PK-12 | 1,278 | 14:1 |
| Roncalli High School | Private | 9-12 | 1,141 | 14:1 |
See Table Notes and References at bottom of page.
Indianapolis Teacher Salary and Jobs Outlook
During the 2020-2021 school year, first-year teachers with IPS started at a minimum annual salary of $47,800, with teachers with more experience starting at a higher base salary.1 The table below compares various classroom teaching roles in Indianapolis by the total number employed, median annual salary, and 90th percentile annual salary. Note SPED is an abbreviation for special education.
| Teacher type | # Employed2 | Median Annual Salary2 | 90th Percentile Annual Salary2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | 750 | $51,360 | $92,370 |
| Elementary School Teachers | 8,760 | $57,990 | $85,370 |
| Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, SPED | 1,250 | $64,790 | $110,240 |
| Middle School Teachers | 4,410 | $60,050 | $84,280 |
| Middle School Teachers, SPED | 370 | $61,990 | $78,840 |
| Secondary School Teachers | 6,180 | $63,610 | $98,950 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Career/Technical Education | 160 | $62,750 | $110,150 |
| Secondary School Teachers, SPED | 680 | $62,020 | $101,640 |
Indianapolis Teacher Shortage Areas
The US Department of Education bases some student loan forgiveness programs on teacher shortage areas, meaning that your chances of qualifying for loan forgiveness may be stronger if you are teaching a subject that has been formally identified as a shortage area. You may also qualify for other funding opportunities or a more competitive salary based on your endorsement(s). Note that shortage areas may change from year to year, so you should be sure to check with state education agencies, your selected education program, and your student loan providers about funding options. For the 2019-2020 school year, the following subject areas were listed as shortage areas in Indiana (statewide):3
- Business
- Computer Education
- Computer Science
- Career and Technical Education (All)
- Early Childhood Education
- Exceptional Needs (All)
- Fine Arts: Instrumental and General Music
- Fine Arts: Vocal and General Music
- Mathematics
- Science (All)
- Secondary Language Arts
- Technology Education
- Teachers of English Learners
- World Languages (All)
Indianapolis Teaching Jobs Boards
You can look for jobs in public, private, and charter schools in Indianapolis via online job boards. Following are a few examples of sites listing jobs. You can also check out our jobs board to search for teaching jobs in Indianapolis.
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis: Job Listings
- IDOE Job Bank
- Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) Job Board
- K12 JobSpot Indiana
Additional Resources
- Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA): Statewide organization for educators that provides advocacy and professional development.
- Indianapolis Education Association (IEA): The bargaining unit for public school teachers in Indianapolis, an affiliate of the Indiana State Teachers Association and the National Education Association.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What are the requirements to be a substitute teacher in Indianapolis?
Answer: Parallel Education Division requires substitutes for regular classroom positions to have two years (60 credits) of college coursework and a valid Indiana substitute teaching permit. Candidates must also pass a criminal history check and drug screen.
Question: When is the Indianapolis teacher job fair?
Answer: Individual schools in Indianapolis host job fairs throughout the year. Check the IDOE job bank page regularly to see postings by schools holding job fairs for prospective teachers.
Table Notes and References:
1. Niche, Largest Schools in Indianapolis: https://www.niche.com/k12/search/largest-schools/t/indianapolis-marion-in/
References:
1. Indianapolis Public Schools: https://myips.org/
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_26900.htm
3. Indiana Department of Education to Submit Teacher Shortage List to US Department of Education: https://www.in.gov/doe/