Needs Improvement
#1768 of 1,823 schools in IN
Belzer Middle School
Middle School · MSD Lawrence Township
7555 E 56th St, Indianapolis, IN 46226
Enrollment
1,139
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
3.6
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
1,139
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
3.6
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Indianapolis
#215 of 222
public schools
Indiana middle schools
#322 of 330
In district
#15 of 16
MSD Lawrence Township
About Belzer Middle School
Belzer Middle School serves 1,139 students in grades 7-8 on Indianapolis's east side, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 16.8:1 with 68 full-time equivalent teachers. This large public middle school operates within Marion County's educational system, providing instruction to students during these crucial transitional years. Academically, Belzer faces significant challenges with room for growth.
The school currently ranks in the 4th percentile among Indiana middle schools, with math proficiency at 10% across grade levels. These results reflect the broader socioeconomic factors affecting the school community, where students and families navigate various economic pressures that can impact educational outcomes. The school draws from the 46226 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $43,371 and the median home value sits at $129,600.
About 23% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate reaches 21.6%. Despite these economic challenges, the community of 45,716 residents supports this sizable middle school as it works to serve students during their formative early teenage years. Belzer Middle School sits in a large suburban setting on East 56th Street, positioned within a diverse Indianapolis community that continues working toward educational improvement and student success.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Belzer Middle School — Students at Belzer Middle School score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 11 test records from IN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.8/10.
How Belzer Middle School Compares
See how Belzer Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 9.61% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 15.91% (2025).
Location
7555 E 56th St, Indianapolis, IN 46226
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Belzer Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. PLA at George H Fisher School 93 (rated 8.4/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST LAWRENCE CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lawrence Central High School (rated 7.5/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Indianapolis, see our Indianapolis schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46226 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$47,086
Median Home Value
$148,900
Median Rent
$1,045/mo
Population
45,640
College Educated
23.8%
Homeownership
46.4%
Avg Commute
24.2 min
Poverty Rate
19.4%
Median Age
33.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Belzer Middle School has a median household income of $47,086. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $148,900, with a median rent of $1,045/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.4%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lowell Middle School Lowell, IN | 3.7 |
| Wea Ridge Middle School Lafayette, IN | 3.9 |
| Charles N Scott Middle School Hammond, IN | 3.3 |
| Carroll Middle School Fort Wayne, IN | 4.1 |
| Chapel Hill 7th & 8th Grade Center Indianapolis, IN | 4.1 |
| Lynhurst 7th & 8th Grade Center Indianapolis, IN | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Belzer Middle School
What grades does Belzer Middle School serve?
Belzer Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Belzer Middle School?
Belzer Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 1,139 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Belzer Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Belzer Middle School is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Belzer Middle School rank in IN?
Belzer Middle School is ranked #1768 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Belzer Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Belzer Middle School has a composite rating of 3.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Belzer Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Belzer Middle School has 12.0% math proficiency and 21.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Belzer Middle School a charter school?
No, Belzer Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Belzer Middle School a Title I school?
No, Belzer Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Belzer Middle School?
83.6% of students at Belzer Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Indianapolis). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,139
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 68
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 83.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Marion County
- Phone
- (317) 964-6200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MSD Lawrence Township- District Enrollment
- 16,502
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,332
- District Rank
- #15 of 16
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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