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Needs Improvement

#1704 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

3.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#1,704 of 1,823

In Indianapolis

#193 of 222

public schools

In district

#12 of 13

MSD Pike Township

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Central Elementary School

3.4/10

Elementary School in Indianapolis · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pike High School

7.2/10

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

Lincoln Middle School

4.1/10

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

About Central Elementary School

Central Elementary School is a public elementary school in Indianapolis, IN, part of MSD Pike Township. Central Elementary School serves approximately 642 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 17.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,704 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for Central Elementary School show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.5
  • IN avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

35% of students at Central Elementary 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.4 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.6% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency20.9% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg-29.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.3 pts
Overall Proficiency21% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected-3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,174
Chronic Absenteeism34.7%

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 38.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
46.1% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 40.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 37 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
64%
ELA
61%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
74%
ELA
76%
2012
Math
70%
ELA
70%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
79%
2014
Math
43%
ELA
45%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
44%
2016
Math
31%
ELA
41%
2017
Math
35%
ELA
44%
2018
Math
30%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
30%
ELA
22%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
14%
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: 2.7/10.

How Central Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.4/10
7th percentile in IN
Academic
4.2/10
Below Average
Growth
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.1/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.7%

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 8.5/10, 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, Enlace Academy (rated 6.9/10, 4.0 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 7.2
Lincoln Middle School Indianapolis 0.4 mi 4.1
Indiana Connections Academy Indianapolis 0.9 mi 3.5
Indiana Connections Career Academy Indianapolis 0.9 mi 5.9
Eastbrook Elementary School Indianapolis 1.5 mi 4.1
Snacks Crossing Elementary School Indianapolis 2.0 mi 2.6
Deer Run Elementary Indianapolis 2.1 mi 3.6
New Augusta Public Academy - North Indianapolis 1.9 mi 5.0
New Augusta Public Academy - South Indianapolis 2.0 mi 3.9
Guion Creek Middle School Indianapolis 2.7 mi 4.3
Guion Creek Elementary School Indianapolis 2.8 mi 5.3
MARIA MONTESSORI INTERNATIONAL ACA Indianapolis 2.6 mi 7.8
Eagle Creek Elementary School Indianapolis 3.2 mi 5.2
Jonathan Jennings School 109 Indianapolis 3.6 mi 3.8
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 6.9
Fishback Creek Public Academy Indianapolis 3.3 mi 8.5
College Park Elementary School Indianapolis 3.5 mi 3.8
Meredith Nicholson School 96 Indianapolis 4.1 mi 5.1

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Daniel Webster School 46 Indianapolis, IN 3.4
Darden Elementary School South Bend, IN 3.4
Delphi Community Elementary School Delphi, IN 3.4
Nuner Fine Arts Academy South Bend, IN 3.4
Washington Primary Washington, IN 3.4
Anderson Elementary School Anderson, IN 3.5

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 ranks #1,704 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 Central Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Elementary School has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
40 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
24 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
53 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.7%

District

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

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