Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#1761 of 1,823 schools in IN

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

3.0

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#1,761 of 1,823

In Indianapolis

#205 of 222

public schools

In district

#44 of 47

Indianapolis Public Schools

School environment

8.4 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around James Whitcomb Riley School 43?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

James Whitcomb Riley School 43

3.0/10

Elementary School in Indianapolis · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

School for Community Learning

7.8/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

St Thomas Aquinas School

8.8/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About James Whitcomb Riley School 43

James Whitcomb Riley School 43 is a public elementary school in Indianapolis, IN, part of Indianapolis Public Schools. James Whitcomb Riley School 43 serves approximately 312 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio. James Whitcomb Riley School 43 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,761 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for James Whitcomb Riley School 43 show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.1 pts below district
  • This school 3.0 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.1
  • IN avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

59% of students at James Whitcomb Riley School 43 were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-5.12 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency4.2% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency5.3% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg-47.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-34.9 pts
Overall Proficiency5% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected-33.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,197
Chronic Absenteeism58.7%

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 23.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
46.1% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 27.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 37 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
60%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
65%
ELA
64%
2011
Math
73%
ELA
68%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
60%
2013
Math
58%
ELA
65%
2014
Math
20%
ELA
34%
2015
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
14%
ELA
20%
2018
Math
6%
ELA
5%
2019
Math
6%
ELA
5%
2020*
Math
2%
ELA
8%
2021*
Math
2%
ELA
8%
2022
Math
2.5%
2025
Math
4.6%
ELA
5.1%

* 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: 1.7/10.

How James Whitcomb Riley School 43 Compares

See how James Whitcomb Riley School 43 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.0/10
4th percentile in IN
Academic
1.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.4/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
58.7%

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 9.5/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Center for Inquiry School 84 (rated 9.3/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Herron Preparatory Academy (rated 8.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Indianapolis, see our Indianapolis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
SCHOOL FOR COMMUNITY LEARNING Indianapolis 0.5 mi 7.8
ST THOMAS AQUINAS SCHOOL Indianapolis 0.8 mi 8.8
Shortridge High School Indianapolis 0.8 mi 8.0
ST JOAN OF ARC/DIOCESE Indianapolis 0.7 mi 8.5
IPS/Butler Lab at William Bell 60 Indianapolis 0.9 mi 7.7
APOGEE SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED Indianapolis 0.9 mi
ST RICHARD'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Indianapolis 1.0 mi 8.4
Louis B Russell Jr School 48 Indianapolis 0.9 mi 6.8
Center for Inquiry School 70 Indianapolis 1.0 mi 9.5
GEO FOCUS ACADEMY Indianapolis 1.1 mi 7.5
THE INDEPENDENCE ACADEMY Indianapolis 1.0 mi 7.5
Herron Preparatory Academy Indianapolis 1.2 mi 8.9
Indiana School For The Deaf Indianapolis 1.3 mi 4.8
HOLY ANGELS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Indianapolis 1.7 mi 7.8
BELIEVE Circle City High School Indianapolis 1.8 mi 5.2
George Washington Carver School 87 Indianapolis 2.0 mi 5.2
NORTHSIDE MONTESSORI Indianapolis 1.8 mi
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF INDIANA Indianapolis 1.6 mi 9.5
Center for Inquiry School 84 Indianapolis 2.0 mi 9.3
CHRIST TEMPLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Indianapolis 2.1 mi

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Benjamin Franklin Elem School Terre Haute, IN 3.0
Beveridge Elementary School Gary, IN 3.0
Canaan Community Academy Canaan, IN 3.0
Liberty Elementary School Mishawaka, IN 3.0
Study Elementary School Fort Wayne, IN 3.0
Sycamore Elementary School Kokomo, IN 3.0

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 ranks #1,761 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is James Whitcomb Riley School 43's MySchoolScout rating?

James Whitcomb Riley School 43 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 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 School 43?

Based on loaded state assessment records, James Whitcomb Riley School 43 has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
72 Very Walkable
Transit Score
43 Some Transit
Bike Score
68 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
58.7%

District

Indianapolis Public Schools
District Enrollment
21,863
Schools in District
48
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,197
District Rank
#44 of 47

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related 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.