Average
#795 of 1,823 schools in IN
Top 44% in state
James Whitcomb Riley Elem School
Elementary School · New Castle Community School Corp
1201 Riley Rd, New Castle, IN 47362
Enrollment
253
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
253
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New Castle
#3 of 9
public schools
Indiana elementary schools
#503 of 1,047
In district
#2 of 7
New Castle Community School Corp
Academic performance
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About James Whitcomb Riley Elem School
James Whitcomb Riley Elementary School serves 253 students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in New Castle, Indiana. This regular public school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1 with 17 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive more individualized attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranking #285 out of 1,831 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 84th percentile among Indiana schools.
With an academic score of 8.3 out of 10, Riley Elementary shows particular strength in mathematics, where 57% of students across all grade levels achieve proficiency or above. Located on Riley Road in Henry County, the school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $54,252 and median home values average $118,100. The surrounding ZIP code area has a population of nearly 30,000 residents, with 15% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 15.1%.
James Whitcomb Riley Elementary operates in New Castle's town setting, providing students with the benefits of a close-knit educational community while maintaining access to the resources and opportunities that come with serving a substantial local population.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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James Whitcomb Riley Elem School — Students at James Whitcomb Riley Elem School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 15 test records from IN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.2/10.
How James Whitcomb Riley Elem School Compares
See how James Whitcomb Riley Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 56.44% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 42.57% (2025).
Location
1201 Riley Rd, New Castle, IN 47362
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James Whitcomb Riley Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Blue River Valley Elementary Sch (rated 8.1/10, 7.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Shenandoah Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Middletown), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wilbur Wright Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in New Castle, see our New Castle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.7 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 47362 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,564
Median Home Value
$131,800
Median Rent
$792/mo
Population
29,442
College Educated
14.8%
Homeownership
73.4%
Avg Commute
22.5 min
Poverty Rate
14.3%
Median Age
42.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding James Whitcomb Riley Elem School has a median household income of $56,564. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $131,800, with a median rent of $792/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.3%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Carlin Park Elementary School Angola, IN | 6.6 |
| Farmersville Elementary School Mount Vernon, IN | 6.6 |
| Holland Elementary School Holland, IN | 6.6 |
| Lincoln School Evansville, IN | 6.6 |
| ST JOHN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Indianapolis, IN | 6.6 |
| ST PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Valparaiso, IN | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James Whitcomb Riley Elem School
What grades does James Whitcomb Riley Elem School serve?
James Whitcomb Riley Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend James Whitcomb Riley Elem School?
James Whitcomb Riley Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 253 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Whitcomb Riley Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at James Whitcomb Riley Elem 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 James Whitcomb Riley Elem School rank in IN?
James Whitcomb Riley Elem School is ranked #795 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is James Whitcomb Riley Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
James Whitcomb Riley Elem 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 Whitcomb Riley Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Whitcomb Riley Elem School has 57.4% math proficiency and 44.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James Whitcomb Riley Elem School a charter school?
No, James Whitcomb Riley Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Whitcomb Riley Elem School a Title I school?
No, James Whitcomb Riley Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Whitcomb Riley Elem School?
46.2% of students at James Whitcomb Riley Elem 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
- Elevated (815/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New Castle). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 253
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Henry County
- Phone
- (765) 521-7211
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
New Castle Community School Corp- District Enrollment
- 2,949
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,783
- District Rank
- #2 of 7
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
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