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Below Average

#1565 of 1,823 schools in IN

Ben Davis High School

High School · MSD Wayne Township

1200 N Girls Sch Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46214

Enrollment

3,274

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

4.3

Grades

10th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#1,565 of 1,823

In Indianapolis

#147 of 222

public schools

In district

#10 of 17

MSD Wayne Township

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Ben Davis High School

4.3/10

High School in Indianapolis · grades 10th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ben Davis Ninth Grade Center

5.1/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Chapel Hill 7th & 8th Grade Center

3.4/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Ben Davis High School

Ben Davis High School is a public high school in Indianapolis, IN, part of MSD Wayne Township. Ben Davis High School serves approximately 3,274 students, and covers grades 10th-12th, and has a 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Ben Davis High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,565 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for Ben Davis High School show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 4.3 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.1
  • IN avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Ben Davis High School is a large school: 3,274 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

35% of students at Ben Davis High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.67 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency29% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)30% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-0.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness4.1Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate78%
AP Participation5.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,573
Chronic Absenteeism34.5%

Ben Davis High School — Students at Ben Davis High School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 35.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
50%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
71%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
61%
2012
Math
66%
ELA
59%
2013
Math
63%
ELA
68%
2014
Math
58%
ELA
56%
2015
Math
14%
ELA
34%
2016
Math
14%
ELA
38%
2017
Math
15%
ELA
30%
2018
Math
15%
ELA
39%
2019
Math
15%
ELA
39%
2020*
Math
16%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
16%
ELA
45%
2022
Math
13%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How Ben Davis High School Compares

See how Ben Davis High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
14th percentile in IN
Academic
5.1/10
Average
Growth
4.9/10
Below Average
Environment
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.6
Sports
17
8 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
180 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
5.7% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics17sports offered
8 boys'·9 girls'·17 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1200 N Girls Sch Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46214

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ben Davis High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Speedway Senior High School (rated 9.2/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Speedway), which scores notably higher. Another option is COVENANT CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ben Davis University High School (rated 6.4/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Indianapolis, see our Indianapolis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Ben Davis Ninth Grade Center Indianapolis 0.1 mi 5.1
Chapel Hill 7th & 8th Grade Center Indianapolis 0.3 mi 3.4
CHAPEL HILL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Indianapolis 0.3 mi
Chapelwood Elementary School Indianapolis 0.3 mi 5.3
COVENANT CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Indianapolis 0.6 mi 7.2
Westlake Elementary School Indianapolis 1.2 mi 4.6
CROSSPOINTE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Indianapolis 1.5 mi 6.1
Chapel Glen Elementary School Indianapolis 1.4 mi 2.4
North Wayne Elementary School Indianapolis 2.3 mi 3.0
Arthur C Newby Elementary School 2 Speedway 1.9 mi 9.4
Robey Elementary School Indianapolis 2.2 mi 6.3
McClelland Elementary School Indianapolis 2.4 mi 8.3
Frank H Wheeler Elementary Sch 4 Speedway 2.2 mi 8.5
ISLAMIC ACADEMY OF INDIANAPOLIS Indianapolis 2.4 mi 5.5
Lew Wallace School 107 Indianapolis 2.4 mi 5.3
ST CHRISTOPHER SCHOOL Indianapolis 2.1 mi 7.9
Ben Davis University High School Indianapolis 2.6 mi 6.4
Speedway Senior High School Speedway 2.3 mi 9.2
Excel Center - West Indianapolis 2.7 mi 3.2
James A Allison Elementary Sch 3 Speedway 2.4 mi 9.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46214 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,863

Median Home Value

$180,200

Median Rent

$1,116/mo

Population

24,645

College Educated

26.5%

Homeownership

46.6%

Avg Commute

23.9 min

Poverty Rate

11.7%

Median Age

35.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Merrillville High School Merrillville, IN 4.4
Warren Central High School Indianapolis, IN 4.0
Decatur Central High School Indianapolis, IN 4.7
Portage High School Portage, IN 4.8
Arsenal Technical High School Indianapolis, IN 3.5
Jefferson High School Lafayette, IN 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ben Davis High School

What grades does Ben Davis High School serve?

Ben Davis High School serves students in grades 10th through 12th.

How many students attend Ben Davis High School?

Ben Davis High School has an enrollment of approximately 3,274 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ben Davis High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ben Davis High School is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ben Davis High School rank in IN?

Ben Davis High School ranks #1,565 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Ben Davis High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ben Davis High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ben Davis High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ben Davis High School has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

Is Ben Davis High School a charter school?

No, Ben Davis High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ben Davis High School a Title I school?

No, Ben Davis High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ben Davis High School?

68.1% of students at Ben Davis High 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
37 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
29 Some Transit
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
10th – 12th
Enrollment
3,274
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
180
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Marion County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.5%
4-Year Graduation
78.0%

District

MSD Wayne Township
District Enrollment
15,799
Schools in District
18
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,573
District Rank
#10 of 17

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