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Average

#1250 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

5.6

Grades

10th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Indianapolis

#129 of 222

public schools

Indiana high schools

#262 of 388

In district

#9 of 17

MSD Wayne Township

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Ben Davis High School

Ben Davis High School serves 3,274 students in grades 10 through 12 in Indianapolis, making it one of the larger high schools in Marion County. With 180 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio, providing a substantial educational community for upperclassmen. The school faces significant academic challenges, with only 13% of students demonstrating proficiency in mathematics across grade levels.

Ben Davis currently ranks #1767 out of 1831 Indiana high schools, placing it in the 4th percentile statewide, indicating considerable room for academic growth and development. Located on North Girls School Road, the school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $53,970 and median home values average $165,100. About 28% of residents in the surrounding 46214 ZIP code hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 12%.

The area's population of approximately 23,000 residents creates a substantial neighborhood base for the school. As a regular public high school in Indianapolis's urban landscape, Ben Davis High School operates within a large city setting that offers both opportunities and challenges for its sizable student body as they work toward graduation and post-secondary planning.

What Parents Should Know

Ben Davis High School is a large school with 3,274 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.4Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics5.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13%
Reading/ELA Proficiency45%
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected-0.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness3.4Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation5.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,814

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

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 14.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
15%
ELA
39%
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: 9.4/10.

How Ben Davis High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.6/10
32th percentile in IN
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
4.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
180 teachers

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. Ben Davis University High School (rated 7.4/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is COVENANT CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Speedway Senior High School (rated 7.1/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Speedway), 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 6.0
Chapel Hill 7th & 8th Grade Center Indianapolis 0.3 mi 4.1
CHAPEL HILL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Indianapolis 0.3 mi
Chapelwood Elementary School Indianapolis 0.3 mi 4.3
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 3.4
North Wayne Elementary School Indianapolis 2.3 mi 5.8
Arthur C Newby Elementary School 2 Speedway 1.9 mi 8.4
Robey Elementary School Indianapolis 2.2 mi 7.5
McClelland Elementary School Indianapolis 2.4 mi 8.5
Frank H Wheeler Elementary Sch 4 Speedway 2.2 mi 9.3
ISLAMIC ACADEMY OF INDIANAPOLIS Indianapolis 2.4 mi 5.5
Lew Wallace School 107 Indianapolis 2.4 mi 7.0
ST CHRISTOPHER SCHOOL Indianapolis 2.1 mi 7.9
Ben Davis University High School Indianapolis 2.6 mi 7.4
Speedway Senior High School Speedway 2.3 mi 7.1
Excel Center - West Indianapolis 2.7 mi 5.1
James A Allison Elementary Sch 3 Speedway 2.4 mi 9.5

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ben Davis High School has a median household income of $58,863. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $180,200, with a median rent of $1,116/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.7%. 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
Warren Central High School Indianapolis, IN 5.6
Center Grove High School Greenwood, IN 5.5
Jeffersonville High School Jeffersonville, IN 5.8
William Henry Harrison High School West Lafayette, IN 5.8
Merrillville High School Merrillville, IN 5.9
Northrop High School Fort Wayne, IN 6.0

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 is ranked #1250 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Ben Davis High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ben Davis High School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Ben Davis High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ben Davis High School has 14.7% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (4,237/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Indianapolis). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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