INDIANAPOLIS - An east side charter school stands out from the rest with an emphasis on going green while guiding students into a future driven by technology.

You know just by looking at the building, the Paramount School of Excellence is something special. Once inside the main office, there is no doubt.

It took $4.5 million to convert what was once an old Mason Lodge to a state-of-the art charter school on the city's near east side. Surrounded by a wind farm spread out over nine acres, the Paramount School offers interactive white boards, Apple computers and an eco-room for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

"Two of the main focuses here are on conservation and technology. The five wind turbines on the grounds here produce enough electricity to power all of the technology in the building," said Tommy Reddicks, Paramount School director.

That includes AWESOME the robot.

"AWESOME stands for Autonomous Working Smart Machine. All of the students get to see robots on a regular basis, they see them in the classroom and there's a curriculum built around them," said Reddicks.

In the eco-room its all about respecting the environment.

"I learn to not litter and recycle," said Zenia Palmer, student.

Classroom work has become more comfortable.

"This is the fourth grade classroom. We've tried to bring the concept of home to school, so we have easy chairs instead of desks," said Reddicks.

School leaders and teachers believe the breakthrough approach here goes well beyond the basics of elementary school education, putting students on the right track to pursuing their future while protecting the environment.

By Bruce Kopp - bio

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