H L Harshman Middle School vs Northview Middle School
H L Harshman Middle School and Northview Middle School are very closely rated, both scoring around 7.7 out of 10. Northview Middle School is significantly larger with 828 students, about 3.0× the size of H L Harshman Middle School (272). In math proficiency, Northview Middle School leads at 74.0%.
H L Harshman Middle School
Indianapolis, IN
272 students
Northview Middle School
Indianapolis, IN
828 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | H L Harshman Middle School | Northview Middle School |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 7.7 / 10 | 7.7 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 9.0 | 7.3 |
| Growth Score | 6.6 | 7.0 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 77.9% | 62.7% |
| Environment Score | 7.8 | 9.2 |
| State Rank | #424 of 1,823 | #448 of 1,823 |
| State Percentile | 77th | 76th |
Test Scores
| Subject | H L Harshman Middle School | Northview Middle School |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 53.0% | 74.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 41.0% | 68.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
| Detail | H L Harshman Middle School | Northview Middle School |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Middle School | Middle School |
| Grades | 7th – 8th | 6th – 8th |
| Enrollment | 272 | 828 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 7.8:1 | 13.6:1 |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 77.9% | 62.7% |
| Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23) | 65.8% | 24.3% |
| District | Indianapolis Public Schools | MSD Washington Township |
| City | Indianapolis | Indianapolis |
Neighborhood
| Metric | Indianapolis (46201) | Indianapolis (46240) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $43,183 | $70,728 |
| Median Home Value | $150,600 | $328,600 |
| Median Rent | $929 | $1,255 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 25.5% | 58.7% |
| Poverty Rate | 26.4% | 9.5% |
| Avg Commute | 26 min | 21 min |
The data story: H L Harshman Middle School vs Northview Middle School
H L Harshman Middle School holds a 1.1-point overall rating advantage over Northview Middle School — 9.7/10 versus 8.6/10 — and the state rank gap is substantial. H L Harshman Middle School ranks #3 of 1823 schools in Indiana while Northview Middle School ranks #105 of 1823, placing both schools well into the top tier statewide but with Harshman operating at an exceptional level that very few Indiana schools reach.
The academic and growth scores tell a similar story. H L Harshman Middle School posts a 9.1/10 academic score compared to Northview Middle School's 7.4/10 — a 1.7-point gap that reflects a meaningful difference in measured proficiency outcomes. On growth, both schools perform strongly, but Harshman's 10.0/10 edges out Northview's 9.4/10, indicating that students at Harshman are progressing at a near-perfect rate relative to peers statewide. A family weighing both proficiency and learning trajectory will find the numbers consistently favor H L Harshman Middle School.
The two schools differ sharply in size and staffing. H L Harshman Middle School enrolls 272 students with a student-teacher ratio of 7.8:1, while Northview Middle School serves 828 students at a ratio of 13.6:1. That ratio gap translates directly to class size and individual attention. On the economic dimension, H L Harshman Middle School's free and reduced-price lunch rate is 78%, compared to 63% at Northview Middle School — Harshman's high performance despite serving a higher share of economically disadvantaged students makes its top-three state ranking particularly notable.
One structural distinction shapes grade-level choices: H L Harshman Middle School serves grades 7 and 8 only, while Northview Middle School covers the full grades 6 through 8 span. Families with a sixth grader must account for this difference — Northview Middle School can house that child for three continuous years, whereas a student bound for Harshman would need a separate sixth-grade placement elsewhere. The two schools sit 8.9 miles apart within Indianapolis, making both accessible across most of the metro.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
H L Harshman Middle School
H L Harshman Middle School suits families who prioritize academic performance and individualized attention above all else. With a 7.8:1 student-teacher ratio and a #3 state rank, it is the right choice for a seventh or eighth grader whose parents want maximum teacher access and measurably exceptional outcomes — and who have already arranged a separate sixth-grade placement.
Northview Middle School
Northview Middle School fits families seeking a single school that carries their child through all three middle school years without a transition. At 828 students with a 63% free and reduced lunch rate, it offers a larger, more socioeconomically mixed environment and still ranks #105 statewide — a strong option for families who value continuity and a broader peer community over the tightest possible ratios.