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Below Average

#1681 of 1,823 schools in IN

James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School

High School · James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School

4352 Mitthoeffer Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46235

Charter

Enrollment

482

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

4.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Indianapolis

#200 of 222

public schools

Indiana high schools

#358 of 388

School environment

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School

James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School is a charter high school located in Indianapolis serving grades 9 through 12. With an enrollment of 482 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1, the school maintains a manageable class structure with 34 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks 213th among Indiana's 1,831 schools, placing it in the state's 88th percentile.

This academic score of 8.5 out of 10 reflects solid performance at the state level. In English Language Arts and reading, 24 percent of students score at proficient levels or above across grade levels. The school is addressing growth opportunities in mathematics, where proficiency rates are currently low, indicating an area of focus for continued student development.

Located on Mitthoeffer Road in a large city setting, James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School serves as a charter option for families seeking alternative public school pathways in the Indianapolis area.

What Parents Should Know

James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.5Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.5 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.8Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.5%
Overall Proficiency14%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected-12.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College Readiness2.9Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation3.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,048

James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School — Students at James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 3.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 24.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 3 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2021*
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%
2022
Math
2.5%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School Compares

See how James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.1/10
8th percentile in IN
Academic
2.8/10
2.8/10
Growth
3.5/10
Below average
Environment
8.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

4352 Mitthoeffer Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46235

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CORNERSTONE BAPTIST ACADEMY (rated 8.8/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Phalen at Francis Scott Key 103 (rated 7.7/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lakeside Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Indianapolis, see our Indianapolis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School Indianapolis 0.0 mi 6.6
Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy Indianapolis 0.0 mi 4.1
Phalen Leadership Academy - IN Inc Indianapolis 0.7 mi 3.9
Phalen at Francis Scott Key 103 Indianapolis 0.7 mi 7.7
TP SCHOOLS Indianapolis 0.9 mi 6.9
PLA@Promise Prep Indianapolis 1.0 mi 5.4
Andrew J Brown Academy Indianapolis 1.4 mi 6.6
CORNERSTONE BAPTIST ACADEMY Indianapolis 1.5 mi 8.8
Charles Warren Fairbanks Sch 105 Indianapolis 1.3 mi 7.0
Indian Creek Elementary School Indianapolis 1.5 mi 4.8
Tindley Summit Academy Indianapolis 1.5 mi 5.2
Fall Creek Valley Middle School Indianapolis 2.3 mi 5.0
Forest Glen Elementary School Indianapolis 2.5 mi 4.6
Circle City Preparatory Elementary School Indianapolis 2.0 mi 5.8
Winding Ridge Elementary School Indianapolis 2.0 mi 5.4
Sunny Heights Elementary School Indianapolis 2.4 mi 6.4
Stonybrook Intermediate & Middle Indianapolis 2.4 mi 5.2
Warren Online Academy Indianapolis 2.7 mi
Lakeside Elementary School Indianapolis 2.8 mi 7.3
Sunnyside Elementary School Indianapolis 2.9 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46235 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,160

Median Home Value

$169,300

Median Rent

$923/mo

Population

35,897

College Educated

17.1%

Homeownership

52.7%

Avg Commute

26 min

Poverty Rate

18.7%

Median Age

30.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School has a median household income of $56,160. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $169,300, with a median rent of $923/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.7%. 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
Achieve Virtual Education Academy Indianapolis, IN 4.1
Churubusco Jr-Sr High School Churubusco, IN 4.1
Christel House Watanabe Manual High School Indianapolis, IN 4.0
Linton-Stockton High School Linton, IN 4.0
North Miami Middle/High School Denver, IN 4.0
Shakamak Jr-Sr High School Jasonville, IN 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School

What grades does James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School serve?

James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School?

James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School has an enrollment of approximately 482 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School?

The student-teacher ratio at James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School rank in IN?

James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School is ranked #1681 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School's MySchoolScout rating?

James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School has a composite rating of 4.1 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 James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School has 3.8% math proficiency and 24.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School a charter school?

Yes, James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School a Title I school?

No, James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School?

74.3% of students at James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy 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

City Safety
High (4,237/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
482
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Marion County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School
District Enrollment
482
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,578
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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