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#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

Charter

Enrollment

266

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

6.6

Grades

7th – 8th

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 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.4 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics3.0Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15.3%
Math vs. State Avg-23.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.8 pts
Overall Proficiency14%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-10.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,295

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 9.0%
School
State
37.6%
ELA Proficiency 17.0%
School
State
40.5%

Based on 11 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
27%
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: 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.

Overall Score
6.6/10
58th percentile in IN
Academic
3.0/10
3.0/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High School Indianapolis 0.0 mi 4.1
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 & 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.

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
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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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