Very Good
#444 of 1,823 schools in IN
Top 24% in state
Meredith Nicholson School 96
Elementary School · Indianapolis Public Schools
3651 N Kiel Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46224
Enrollment
396
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
396
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Indianapolis
#34 of 222
public schools
Indiana elementary schools
#295 of 1,047
In district
#14 of 47
Indianapolis Public Schools
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Meredith Nicholson School 96
Meredith Nicholson School 96 serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in Indianapolis, providing elementary education to about 396 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.8 to 1, with 31 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, supporting individualized attention in the classroom. The school has earned a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks among the top schools in Indiana, placing at #158 out of 1,831 schools statewide in the 91st percentile.
Its academic score of 8.5 out of 10 reflects strong overall performance. Like many schools across the state, Meredith Nicholson is focused on building student skills in core subjects, with ongoing efforts in English language arts and mathematics instruction. Located at 3651 N Kiel Ave, Meredith Nicholson School 96 is a regular public school situated in Indianapolis's urban environment, serving the local community in Marion County.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Meredith Nicholson School 96 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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Meredith Nicholson School 96 — Students at Meredith Nicholson School 96 score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62.6%
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: 8.7/10.
How Meredith Nicholson School 96 Compares
See how Meredith Nicholson School 96 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 23% (2019) to 24.12% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 23% (2019) to 20.59% (2025).
Location
3651 N Kiel Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46224
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Meredith Nicholson School 96 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. James A Allison Elementary Sch 3 (rated 9.5/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Speedway), which scores notably higher. Another option is Frank H Wheeler Elementary Sch 4 (rated 9.3/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Speedway), which scores notably higher. Additionally, IN Math & Science Academy (rated 9.3/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Indianapolis, see our Indianapolis schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46224 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,731
Median Home Value
$166,500
Median Rent
$1,048/mo
Population
39,858
College Educated
24.3%
Homeownership
37.5%
Avg Commute
24.3 min
Poverty Rate
17.6%
Median Age
32.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Meredith Nicholson School 96 has a median household income of $53,731. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $166,500, with a median rent of $1,048/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.6%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| CSA Lincoln Campus Columbus, IN | 7.4 |
| Center for Inquiry School 84 Indianapolis, IN | 7.4 |
| Douglas MacArthur Elem School Cedar Lake, IN | 7.4 |
| East Elementary School Portland, IN | 7.4 |
| Eleanor Skillen School 34 Indianapolis, IN | 7.4 |
| Fred J Hums Elementary School Mishawaka, IN | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Meredith Nicholson School 96
What grades does Meredith Nicholson School 96 serve?
Meredith Nicholson School 96 serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Meredith Nicholson School 96?
Meredith Nicholson School 96 has an enrollment of approximately 396 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Meredith Nicholson School 96?
The student-teacher ratio at Meredith Nicholson School 96 is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Meredith Nicholson School 96 rank in IN?
Meredith Nicholson School 96 is ranked #444 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Meredith Nicholson School 96's MySchoolScout rating?
Meredith Nicholson School 96 has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Meredith Nicholson School 96?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Meredith Nicholson School 96 has 22.1% math proficiency and 20.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Meredith Nicholson School 96 a charter school?
No, Meredith Nicholson School 96 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Meredith Nicholson School 96 a Title I school?
No, Meredith Nicholson School 96 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Meredith Nicholson School 96?
62.6% of students at Meredith Nicholson School 96 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
- Walk Score
- 43 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 36 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 41 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,237/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Indianapolis). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 396
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 62.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Marion County
- Phone
- (317) 226-4296
- 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
- #14 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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