Average
#838 of 1,823 schools in IN
Top 46% in state
James Whitcomb Riley School 43
Elementary School · Indianapolis Public Schools
150 W 40th St, Indianapolis, IN 46208
Enrollment
312
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
312
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Indianapolis
#89 of 222
public schools
Indiana elementary schools
#522 of 1,047
In district
#26 of 47
Indianapolis Public Schools
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About James Whitcomb Riley School 43
James Whitcomb Riley School 43 is a regular public elementary school serving pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Indianapolis. With an enrollment of 312 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1, the school maintains a manageable class environment supported by 25 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a MySchoolScout Rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #192 out of 1,831 schools statewide, placing it in Indiana's 90th percentile.
Its Academic Score of 8.3 out of 10 reflects solid overall performance. Students in English Language Arts and reading show room for growth, while mathematics proficiency also presents opportunities for academic development across grade levels. These metrics suggest the school is actively working to strengthen student achievement in core subjects.
Located at 150 West 40th Street, James Whitcomb Riley School 43 serves families in Indianapolis's Marion County, operating as part of the city's public school system.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at James Whitcomb Riley School 43 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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James Whitcomb Riley School 43 — Students at James Whitcomb Riley School 43 score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.2%
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
→ 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: 8.1/10.
How James Whitcomb Riley School 43 Compares
See how James Whitcomb Riley School 43 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 6% (2019) to 4.17% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 5% (2019) to 5.32% (2025).
Location
150 W 40th St, Indianapolis, IN 46208
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James Whitcomb Riley School 43 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Center for Inquiry School 70 (rated 9.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Herron Preparatory Academy (rated 8.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST THOMAS AQUINAS SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Indianapolis, see our Indianapolis schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46208 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,435
Median Home Value
$206,000
Median Rent
$1,075/mo
Population
22,026
College Educated
40.2%
Homeownership
55.3%
Avg Commute
20.5 min
Poverty Rate
21.8%
Median Age
32.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding James Whitcomb Riley School 43 has a median household income of $55,435. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $206,000, with a median rent of $1,075/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Clear Creek Elementary School Bloomington, IN | 6.5 |
| Converse Elementary School Converse, IN | 6.5 |
| Eastbrook South Elementary Upland, IN | 6.5 |
| Howard Elementary School Kokomo, IN | 6.5 |
| North Salem Elementary School North Salem, IN | 6.5 |
| North View Elementary School Muncie, IN | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James Whitcomb Riley School 43
What grades does James Whitcomb Riley School 43 serve?
James Whitcomb Riley School 43 serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend James Whitcomb Riley School 43?
James Whitcomb Riley School 43 has an enrollment of approximately 312 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Whitcomb Riley School 43?
The student-teacher ratio at James Whitcomb Riley School 43 is 12.5:1. 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 School 43 rank in IN?
James Whitcomb Riley School 43 is ranked #838 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is James Whitcomb Riley School 43's MySchoolScout rating?
James Whitcomb Riley School 43 has a composite rating of 6.5 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 School 43?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Whitcomb Riley School 43 has 4.1% math proficiency and 5.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James Whitcomb Riley School 43 a charter school?
No, James Whitcomb Riley School 43 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Whitcomb Riley School 43 a Title I school?
No, James Whitcomb Riley School 43 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Whitcomb Riley School 43?
54.2% of students at James Whitcomb Riley School 43 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
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 312
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Marion County
- Phone
- (317) 226-4243
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Indianapolis Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 21,863
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,197
- District Rank
- #26 of 47
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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