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Very Good

#471 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 26% in state

Ben Davis University High School

High School · MSD Wayne Township

1155 S High School Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46241

Enrollment

378

Student-Teacher

22.2:1

Score

7.4

Grades

10th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Indianapolis

#40 of 222

public schools

Indiana high schools

#94 of 388

In district

#3 of 17

MSD Wayne Township

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Ben Davis University High School

Ben Davis University High School serves 378 students in grades 10-12 in Indianapolis, offering a focused upper-level high school experience with a 22:2:1 student-teacher ratio. The school ranks impressively at #261 out of 1,831 Indiana high schools, placing it in the 86th percentile statewide with a solid 7.1 MySchoolScout rating. Academically, the school shows strong performance in English Language Arts, with 64% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.

Mathematics presents an area with significant room for growth, as 19% of students currently demonstrate proficiency. This mixed academic profile reflects both strengths and opportunities for continued development in core subjects. The school's 17 full-time equivalent teachers work within a community where the median household income is $47,929 and median home values average $93,700.

About 21% of families in the area face economic challenges, while 14% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Ben Davis University High School operates within Indianapolis's large city environment, providing students with urban educational opportunities while serving a diverse community of over 34,000 residents in the surrounding ZIP code area.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Ben Davis University High School is 22.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+4.53 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.5Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected+20.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,814

Ben Davis University High School — Students at Ben Davis University High School score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 18.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 64.5%
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
7.5%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
27%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Ben Davis University High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
74th percentile in IN
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
2.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
73%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

1155 S High School Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46241

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ben Davis University High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Ben Davis High School (rated 5.6/10, 2.6 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Achieve Virtual Education Academy (rated 4.1/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Indianapolis, see our Indianapolis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
ISLAMIC ACADEMY OF INDIANAPOLIS Indianapolis 0.2 mi 5.5
McClelland Elementary School Indianapolis 0.5 mi 8.5
Westlake Elementary School Indianapolis 1.4 mi 4.6
Achieve Virtual Education Academy Indianapolis 1.4 mi 4.1
Rhoades Elementary School Indianapolis 1.3 mi 7.1
Maplewood Elementary School Indianapolis 1.4 mi 6.7
Garden City Elementary School Indianapolis 1.5 mi 3.7
Lynhurst 7th & 8th Grade Center Indianapolis 2.2 mi 4.1
CHAPEL HILL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Indianapolis 2.3 mi
Chapelwood Elementary School Indianapolis 2.3 mi 4.3
Chapel Hill 7th & 8th Grade Center Indianapolis 2.3 mi 4.1
ST CHRISTOPHER SCHOOL Indianapolis 2.6 mi 7.9
Carl G Fisher Elementary School 1 Speedway 2.5 mi 9.0
Speedway Junior High School Speedway 2.5 mi 6.9
Ben Davis Ninth Grade Center Indianapolis 2.5 mi 6.0
Ben Davis High School Indianapolis 2.6 mi 5.6
Arthur C Newby Elementary School 2 Speedway 2.9 mi 8.4
Lynwood Elementary Indianapolis 2.9 mi 4.1
Stout Field Elementary School Indianapolis 2.5 mi 5.7
CROSSPOINTE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Indianapolis 2.5 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46241 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,598

Median Home Value

$111,500

Median Rent

$1,118/mo

Population

32,943

College Educated

14.7%

Homeownership

54.2%

Avg Commute

23 min

Poverty Rate

23.5%

Median Age

30

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ben Davis University High School has a median household income of $51,598. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $111,500, with a median rent of $1,118/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Crawford County High School Marengo, IN 7.4
Greencastle High School Greencastle, IN 7.4
Indianapolis Metropolitan High Sch Indianapolis, IN 7.4
North Montgomery High School Crawfordsville, IN 7.4
Northeast Dubois Jr/Sr High School Dubois, IN 7.4
South Vermillion High School Clinton, IN 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ben Davis University High School

What grades does Ben Davis University High School serve?

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

How many students attend Ben Davis University High School?

Ben Davis University High School has an enrollment of approximately 378 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Ben Davis University High School is 22.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ben Davis University High School rank in IN?

Ben Davis University High School is ranked #471 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Ben Davis University High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ben Davis University High School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 University High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ben Davis University High School has 18.8% math proficiency and 64.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ben Davis University High School a charter school?

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

Is Ben Davis University High School a Title I school?

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

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

73.3% of students at Ben Davis University 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
47 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
31 Some Transit
Bike Score
50 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
378
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.3%
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
#3 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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