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Needs Improvement

#1658 of 1,823 schools in IN

Decatur Middle School

Middle School · MSD Decatur Township

5108 S High School Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46221

Enrollment

985

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

3.7

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#1,658 of 1,823

In Indianapolis

#173 of 222

public schools

In district

#6 of 8

MSD Decatur Township

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Decatur Middle School

3.7/10

Middle School in Indianapolis · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Valley Mills Elementary School

3.1/10

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

Decatur Central High School

4.7/10

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

About Decatur Middle School

Decatur Middle School is a public middle school in Indianapolis, IN, part of MSD Decatur Township. Decatur Middle School serves approximately 985 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Decatur Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,658 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for Decatur Middle School show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.8 pts below IN schools
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • IN avg 5.5

What Parents Should Know

33% of students at Decatur Middle 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 Progress2.8Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.37 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.9% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22.1% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg-23.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16 pts
Overall Proficiency17% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)22% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected-4.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,193
Chronic Absenteeism32.7%

Decatur Middle School — Students at Decatur Middle School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

81.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 35.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
37.6% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 44.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.5% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 33 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
68%
2010
Math
66%
ELA
69%
2011
Math
70%
ELA
66%
2012
Math
78%
ELA
69%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
68%
2014
Math
48%
ELA
59%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
55%
2016
Math
34%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
30%
ELA
48%
2018
Math
15%
ELA
25%
2019
Math
15%
ELA
25%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
24%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
24%
2022
Math
14%
2025
Math
12.9%
ELA
22.1%

* 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: 2.8/10.

How Decatur Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.7/10
9th percentile in IN
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.7/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
81%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
66 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

5108 S High School Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46221

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Decatur Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. McClelland Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rosa Parks Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Madison Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Camby), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Indianapolis, see our Indianapolis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Valley Mills Elementary School Indianapolis 0.1 mi 3.1
Decatur Central High School Indianapolis 0.2 mi 4.7
Damar Charter Academy Indianapolis 0.8 mi 4.4
Blue Academy Indianapolis 1.3 mi 5.0
Gold Academy Indianapolis 1.3 mi 4.6
Lynwood Elementary Indianapolis 2.2 mi 3.8
West Newton Elementary School West Newton 2.5 mi 4.7
Lynhurst 7th & 8th Grade Center Indianapolis 2.9 mi 4.1
Stephen Decatur Elementary School Indianapolis 2.7 mi 3.2
Achieve Virtual Education Academy Indianapolis 3.4 mi 4.6
Maplewood Elementary School Indianapolis 4.1 mi 4.6
McClelland Elementary School Indianapolis 4.3 mi 8.3
Stout Field Elementary School Indianapolis 3.8 mi 5.2
Ben Davis University High School Indianapolis 4.3 mi 6.4
ISLAMIC ACADEMY OF INDIANAPOLIS Indianapolis 4.5 mi 5.5
Rosa Parks Elementary School Indianapolis 4.2 mi 6.8
Rhoades Elementary School Indianapolis 5.1 mi 3.0
Bridgeport Elementary School Indianapolis 4.9 mi 4.0
North Madison Elementary School Camby 5.4 mi 6.7
Garden City Elementary School Indianapolis 5.4 mi 2.9

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Creston Intermediate & Middle Schl Indianapolis, IN 3.6
Willowcreek Middle School Portage, IN 3.9
Charles N Scott Middle School Hammond, IN 4.0
William Fegely Middle School Portage, IN 4.0
Chapel Hill 7th & 8th Grade Center Indianapolis, IN 3.4
John J Young Middle School Mishawaka, IN 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Decatur Middle School

What grades does Decatur Middle School serve?

Decatur Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Decatur Middle School?

Decatur Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 985 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Decatur Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Decatur Middle School is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Decatur Middle School rank in IN?

Decatur Middle School ranks #1,658 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Decatur Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Decatur Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Decatur Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Decatur Middle School has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Decatur Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Decatur Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

81.3% of students at Decatur Middle 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
38 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
21 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
985
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
66
Free/Reduced Lunch
81.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Marion County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.7%

District

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

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