Skip to main content

Very Good

#582 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 32% in state

James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School

Middle School · James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School

4352 Mitthoeffer Road, Indianapolis, IN 46235

Charter

Enrollment

266

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

7.2

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#582 of 1,823

In Indianapolis

#43 of 222

public schools

School environment

9.7 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School

7.2/10

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

James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School

4.8/10

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

Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy

3.2/10

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

About James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School

James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School is a public middle school in Indianapolis, IN, part of James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School. James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School serves approximately 266 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio. James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #582 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School show 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025) and 21% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025).

How it compares1.7 pts above IN schools
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • IN avg 5.5

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.4Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change-1.73 pts/yr
Data Period2017–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.0Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.4% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency15.3% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg-23.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.8 pts
Overall Proficiency14% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected-11.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
Resources & Environment9.7Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,553
Chronic Absenteeism27.1%

James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School — Students at James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School score 14% 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

75.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 9.6% (multi-year average, 2017-2025)
School
State
37.6% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 20.8% (multi-year average, 2017-2025)
School
State
40.5% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 17 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2017
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
7.5%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
3%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
7%
2025
Math
12.1%
ELA
15.4%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
68th percentile in IN
Academic
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
9.4/10
Excellent
Environment
9.7/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.1%

Location

4352 Mitthoeffer Road, Indianapolis, IN 46235

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Stonybrook Intermediate & Middle (rated 4.2/10, 2.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Fall Creek Valley Middle School (rated 4.1/10, 2.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Indianapolis, see our Indianapolis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School Indianapolis 0.0 mi 4.8
Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy Indianapolis 0.0 mi 3.2
Phalen Leadership Academy - IN Inc Indianapolis 0.7 mi 2.7
Phalen at Francis Scott Key 103 Indianapolis 0.7 mi 6.9
TP SCHOOLS Indianapolis 0.9 mi 6.9
PLA@Promise Prep Indianapolis 1.0 mi 5.3
Andrew J Brown Academy Indianapolis 1.4 mi 4.4
CORNERSTONE BAPTIST ACADEMY Indianapolis 1.5 mi 8.8
Charles Warren Fairbanks Sch 105 Indianapolis 1.3 mi 4.6
Indian Creek Elementary School Indianapolis 1.5 mi 3.0
Tindley Summit Academy Indianapolis 1.5 mi 5.4
Fall Creek Valley Middle School Indianapolis 2.3 mi 4.1
Forest Glen Elementary School Indianapolis 2.5 mi 7.4
Circle City Preparatory Elementary School Indianapolis 2.0 mi 7.5
Winding Ridge Elementary School Indianapolis 2.0 mi 3.8
Sunny Heights Elementary School Indianapolis 2.4 mi 3.3
Stonybrook Intermediate & Middle Indianapolis 2.4 mi 4.2
Warren Online Academy Indianapolis 2.7 mi
Lakeside Elementary School Indianapolis 2.8 mi 4.6
Sunnyside Elementary School Indianapolis 2.9 mi 3.6

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Loogootee Middle School Loogootee, IN 7.2
Ohio County Middle School Rising Sun, IN 7.2
Rochester Community Middle School Rochester, IN 7.2
Eastern Greene Middle School Bloomfield, IN 7.1
Paramount Englewood Indianapolis, IN 7.1
Cedar Crest Intermediate School Huntingburg, IN 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School

What grades does James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School serve?

James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School?

James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 266 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School rank in IN?

James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School ranks #582 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School has 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025) and 21% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025).

Is James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School a charter school?

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

Is James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

75.6% of students at James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy 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
24 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
35 Some Transit
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
266
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
75.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Marion County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.1%

District

James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School
District Enrollment
266
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,553
District Rank
#1 of 1

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.