Average
#770 of 1,823 schools in IN
Top 42% in state
James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School
Middle School · James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School
4352 Mitthoeffer Road, Indianapolis, IN 46235
Enrollment
266
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
6.6
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
266
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
6.6
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Indianapolis
#82 of 222
public schools
Indiana middle schools
#118 of 330
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School
James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School is a charter school located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Serving students in grades seven and eight, the school has an enrollment of 266 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1, with 22 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is within a large city environment.
While academic performance rankings show room for growth — with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.7 out of 10 — the school continues to focus on student development and improvement in its curriculum and support systems. In terms of proficiency, only 13% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, and just 4% are proficient or above in math. James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School is situated in a bustling urban area, providing a dynamic community for both educators and students to engage with.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 11 test records from IN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.6/10.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 7.5% (2019) to 12.41% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 15.33% (2025).
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 5.2/10, 2.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Fall Creek Valley Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 2.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Indianapolis, see our Indianapolis schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 miNeighborhood 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 & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Hebron Middle School Hebron, IN | 6.6 |
| Harold C Urey Middle School Walkerton, IN | 6.5 |
| South Adams Middle School Berne, IN | 6.7 |
| Edison Middle School South Bend, IN | 6.4 |
| Fremont Middle School Fremont, IN | 6.4 |
| South Newton Middle School Kentland, IN | 6.4 |
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 is ranked #770 out 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 composite rating of 6.6 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 & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School has 9.0% math proficiency and 17.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (317) 552-1600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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
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 methodologyRelated 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.