Very Good
#652 of 1,823 schools in IN
Top 36% 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
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
253
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Indiana schools
#652 of 1,823
In New Castle
#2 of 9
public schools
In district
#2 of 7
New Castle Community School Corp
School environment
9.1 / 10
Excellent
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James Whitcomb Riley Elem School
Elementary School in New Castle · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
New Castle High School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
New Castle Middle School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About James Whitcomb Riley Elem School
James Whitcomb Riley Elem School is a public elementary school in New Castle, IN, part of New Castle Community School Corp. James Whitcomb Riley Elem School serves approximately 253 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. James Whitcomb Riley Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #652 of 1,823 schools in IN.
Structured state assessment records for James Whitcomb Riley Elem School show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.1 · Very Good
- District avg 6.1
- IN avg 6.6
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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: 43%).
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 37 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: 5.7/10.
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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Shenandoah Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Middletown), which scores notably higher. Another option is Knightstown Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Knightstown), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Westwood Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 2.5 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Wayne, IN | 7.1 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Plymouth, IN | 7.1 |
| Martha J Ridpath Elementary School Greencastle, IN | 7.1 |
| OUR LADY OF HUNGARY SCHOOL South Bend, IN | 7.1 |
| Riverdale Elementary School Saint Joe, IN | 7.1 |
| SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Richmond, IN | 7.1 |
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 ranks #652 of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is James Whitcomb Riley Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
James Whitcomb Riley Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 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 Whitcomb Riley Elem School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, James Whitcomb Riley Elem School has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 11.5%
- Phone
- (765) 521-7211
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
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