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Average

#830 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 46% in state

Decatur Central High School

High School · MSD Decatur Township

5251 Kentucky Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46221

Enrollment

2,061

Student-Teacher

16.1:1

Score

6.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Indianapolis

#87 of 222

public schools

Indiana high schools

#166 of 388

In district

#2 of 8

MSD Decatur Township

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Decatur Central High School

Decatur Central High School serves 2,061 students in grades 9-12 in Indianapolis, with a student-teacher ratio of 16.1:1 and 128 full-time teachers. As one of the larger high schools in Marion County, the school is working to improve its academic outcomes, with current math proficiency at 12% and significant room for growth in overall performance. The school ranks in the 6th percentile among Indiana high schools, indicating ongoing challenges that the administration and faculty are addressing.

With its substantial enrollment, Decatur Central offers the scale that can support diverse programming and activities, though academic achievement remains a primary focus area for improvement. Located on Kentucky Avenue, the school serves a working-class community where the median household income is $57,379 and median home values are $156,200. About 15% of residents in the surrounding ZIP code hold bachelor's degrees, with a poverty rate of 12.1%.

The neighborhood reflects the diverse, hardworking character typical of Indianapolis's urban communities. Decatur Central High School sits within Indianapolis's large city setting, providing students access to the resources and opportunities that come with urban education while serving families who are deeply rooted in their local community.

What Parents Should Know

Decatur Central High School is a large school with 2,061 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 Progress8.9Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.64 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.4Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected+7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
College Readiness5.3Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation12.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,052

Decatur Central High School — Students at Decatur Central High School score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

75.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 19.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 48.5%
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
20%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
12%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How Decatur Central High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
55th percentile in IN
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
5.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
128 teachers

Location

5251 Kentucky Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46221

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Decatur Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Ben Davis University High School (rated 7.4/10, 4.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Achieve Virtual Education Academy (rated 4.1/10, 3.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Indianapolis, see our Indianapolis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Decatur Middle School Indianapolis 0.2 mi 6.2
Valley Mills Elementary School Indianapolis 0.3 mi 6.0
Damar Charter Academy Indianapolis 0.7 mi 5.3
Blue Academy Indianapolis 1.4 mi 6.4
Gold Academy Indianapolis 1.4 mi 6.7
West Newton Elementary School West Newton 2.4 mi 5.8
Lynwood Elementary Indianapolis 2.4 mi 4.1
Lynhurst 7th & 8th Grade Center Indianapolis 3.0 mi 4.1
Stephen Decatur Elementary School Indianapolis 2.9 mi 4.5
Achieve Virtual Education Academy Indianapolis 3.6 mi 4.1
McClelland Elementary School Indianapolis 4.4 mi 8.5
Maplewood Elementary School Indianapolis 4.2 mi 6.7
Ben Davis University High School Indianapolis 4.4 mi 7.4
Stout Field Elementary School Indianapolis 4.0 mi 5.7
ISLAMIC ACADEMY OF INDIANAPOLIS Indianapolis 4.6 mi 5.5
Rosa Parks Elementary School Indianapolis 4.3 mi 4.4
North Madison Elementary School Camby 5.3 mi 5.5
Rhoades Elementary School Indianapolis 5.2 mi 7.1
Bridgeport Elementary School Indianapolis 4.9 mi 4.3
Garden City Elementary School Indianapolis 5.5 mi 3.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46221 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,316

Median Home Value

$174,900

Median Rent

$1,111/mo

Population

26,255

College Educated

16.2%

Homeownership

60.8%

Avg Commute

25.4 min

Poverty Rate

16%

Median Age

34.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Decatur Central High School has a median household income of $58,316. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $174,900, with a median rent of $1,111/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.0%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Mooresville High School Mooresville, IN 6.6
Mt Vernon High School Fortville, IN 6.4
Richmond High School Richmond, IN 6.6
Wayne High School Fort Wayne, IN 6.4
Anderson High School Anderson, IN 6.7
Franklin Community High School Franklin, IN 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Decatur Central High School

What grades does Decatur Central High School serve?

Decatur Central High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Decatur Central High School?

Decatur Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,061 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Decatur Central High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Decatur Central High School is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Decatur Central High School rank in IN?

Decatur Central High School is ranked #830 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Decatur Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Decatur Central High School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Decatur Central High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Decatur Central High School has 19.0% math proficiency and 48.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Decatur Central High School a charter school?

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

Is Decatur Central High School a Title I school?

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

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

75.6% of students at Decatur Central 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
16 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
20 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
29 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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,061
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
128
Free/Reduced Lunch
75.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Marion County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

MSD Decatur Township
District Enrollment
6,655
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,193
District Rank
#2 of 8

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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