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Average

#1115 of 1,823 schools in IN

Central Elementary School

Elementary School · MSD Pike Township

7001 Zionsville Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46268

Enrollment

642

Student-Teacher

17.4:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Indianapolis

#115 of 222

public schools

Indiana elementary schools

#677 of 1,047

In district

#4 of 13

MSD Pike Township

Academic growth

7.2 / 10

Strong

About Central Elementary School

Central Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 642 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.4:1 with 37 full-time equivalent teachers. Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating stands at 4.3 out of 10, placing it in the 17th percentile among Indiana schools based on its state ranking of #1520 out of 1831 schools.

Academically, the school has areas for improvement: only 12% of students are proficient or above in both English Language Arts and Math, while no students have reached proficiency levels in Science. Despite these challenges, Central Elementary is dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment where every student can grow and develop. The school's setting within Indianapolis offers a vibrant urban backdrop with numerous community resources nearby.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Central Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.58 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.3Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency20.9%
Math vs. State Avg-29.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.3 pts
Overall Proficiency21%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-3.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,198

Central Elementary School — Students at Central Elementary School score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

75.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 19.4%
School
State
46.1%
ELA Proficiency 19.8%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 15 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
30%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
14%
2022
Math
9%
2025
Math
21.6%
ELA
20.8%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Central Elementary School Compares

See how Central Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
39th percentile in IN
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

Location

7001 Zionsville Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46268

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fishback Creek Public Academy (rated 8.7/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MARIA MONTESSORI INTERNATIONAL ACA (rated 7.8/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Meredith Nicholson School 96 (rated 7.4/10, 4.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Indianapolis, see our Indianapolis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Pike High School Indianapolis 0.4 mi 7.0
Lincoln Middle School Indianapolis 0.4 mi 5.1
Indiana Connections Academy Indianapolis 0.9 mi 2.4
Indiana Connections Career Academy Indianapolis 0.9 mi 4.2
Eastbrook Elementary School Indianapolis 1.5 mi 5.4
Snacks Crossing Elementary School Indianapolis 2.0 mi 4.3
Deer Run Elementary Indianapolis 2.1 mi 4.7
New Augusta Public Academy - North Indianapolis 1.9 mi 5.4
New Augusta Public Academy - South Indianapolis 2.0 mi 6.5
Guion Creek Middle School Indianapolis 2.7 mi 4.6
Guion Creek Elementary School Indianapolis 2.8 mi 5.7
MARIA MONTESSORI INTERNATIONAL ACA Indianapolis 2.6 mi 7.8
Eagle Creek Elementary School Indianapolis 3.2 mi 4.7
Jonathan Jennings School 109 Indianapolis 3.6 mi 6.7
THE CHILDRENS HOUSE, INC. Indidnapolis 3.0 mi 6.4
BREBEUF JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL Indianapolis 3.3 mi 7.3
Enlace Academy Indianapolis 4.0 mi 6.7
Fishback Creek Public Academy Indianapolis 3.3 mi 8.7
College Park Elementary School Indianapolis 3.5 mi 4.7
Meredith Nicholson School 96 Indianapolis 4.1 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46268 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,322

Median Home Value

$208,500

Median Rent

$1,171/mo

Population

25,623

College Educated

40.4%

Homeownership

46.4%

Avg Commute

26.2 min

Poverty Rate

11.9%

Median Age

36

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central Elementary School has a median household income of $63,322. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $208,500, with a median rent of $1,171/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Center Grove Elementary School Greenwood, IN 5.9
Centerville-Abington Elem School Centerville, IN 5.9
Concord Ox Bow Elementary School Elkhart, IN 5.9
Dwight D Eisenhower Elem School Crown Point, IN 5.9
Elwood Elementary School Elwood, IN 5.9
Erskine Elementary School Anderson, IN 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Elementary School

What grades does Central Elementary School serve?

Central Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Central Elementary School?

Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 642 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School is 17.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Elementary School rank in IN?

Central Elementary School is ranked #1115 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Central Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary School has 19.4% math proficiency and 19.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Central Elementary School a charter school?

No, Central Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Central Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Central Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elementary School?

75.9% of students at Central Elementary 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

City Safety
High (4,237/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
642
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
75.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Marion County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

MSD Pike Township
District Enrollment
10,617
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,174
District Rank
#4 of 13

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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