Excellent
#23 of 1,823 schools in IN
Top 1% in state
Merle Sidener Gifted Academy
Middle School · Indianapolis Public Schools
2424 Kessler Blvd E Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46220
Enrollment
304
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
9.4
Grades
2nd – 8th
Enrollment
304
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
9.4
Grades
2nd – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Indiana schools
#23 of 1,823
In Indianapolis
#2 of 222
public schools
In district
#2 of 47
Indianapolis Public Schools
School environment
9.9 / 10
Excellent
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Merle Sidener Gifted Academy
Middle School in Indianapolis · grades 2nd – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Ace Preparatory Academy
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Purdue Polytechnic High Sch North
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Merle Sidener Gifted Academy
Merle Sidener Gifted Academy is a public middle school in Indianapolis, IN, part of Indianapolis Public Schools. Merle Sidener Gifted Academy serves approximately 304 students, and covers grades 2nd-8th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. Merle Sidener Gifted Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.4 out of 10 and ranks #23 of 1,823 schools in IN.
Structured state assessment records for Merle Sidener Gifted Academy show 84% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 86% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 9.4 · Excellent
- District avg 7.3
- IN avg 5.5
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Merle Sidener Gifted Academy — Students at Merle Sidener Gifted Academy score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.4%
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: 8.9/10.
How Merle Sidener Gifted Academy Compares
See how Merle Sidener Gifted Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
2424 Kessler Blvd E Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46220
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Merle Sidener Gifted Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Avondale Meadows Middle School (rated 7.5/10, 2.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Eastwood Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Indianapolis, see our Indianapolis schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46220 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$103,735
Median Home Value
$329,700
Median Rent
$1,330/mo
Population
36,159
College Educated
66.9%
Homeownership
64.9%
Avg Commute
24.2 min
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Median Age
34.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Union Township Middle School Valparaiso, IN | 9.0 |
| Westview Elementary School Topeka, IN | 9.0 |
| North Posey Junior High School Poseyville, IN | 8.8 |
| Tecumseh Middle School Lynnville, IN | 8.7 |
| Liberty Intermediate School Chesterton, IN | 8.6 |
| Rensselaer Central Middle School Rensselaer, IN | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Merle Sidener Gifted Academy
What grades does Merle Sidener Gifted Academy serve?
Merle Sidener Gifted Academy serves students in grades 2nd through 8th.
How many students attend Merle Sidener Gifted Academy?
Merle Sidener Gifted Academy has an enrollment of approximately 304 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Merle Sidener Gifted Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Merle Sidener Gifted Academy is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Merle Sidener Gifted Academy rank in IN?
Merle Sidener Gifted Academy ranks #23 of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Merle Sidener Gifted Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Merle Sidener Gifted Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.4 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 Merle Sidener Gifted Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Merle Sidener Gifted Academy has 84% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 86% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Merle Sidener Gifted Academy a charter school?
No, Merle Sidener Gifted Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Merle Sidener Gifted Academy a Title I school?
No, Merle Sidener Gifted Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Merle Sidener Gifted Academy?
45.4% of students at Merle Sidener Gifted Academy 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
- 2nd – 8th
- Enrollment
- 304
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Marion County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 11.5%
- Phone
- (317) 226-4259
Resources & Links
District
Indianapolis Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 21,863
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,197
- District Rank
- #2 of 47
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