Skip to main content

Excellent

#89 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 5% in state

North Central High School

High School · MSD Washington Township

1801 E 86th St, Indianapolis, IN 46240

Enrollment

3,616

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

8.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Indianapolis

#11 of 222

public schools

Indiana high schools

#14 of 388

In district

#1 of 13

MSD Washington Township

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About North Central High School

North Central High School is a public high school in Indianapolis, IN, part of the MSD Washington Township. The school serves approximately 3,616 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 95.2th percentile among IN schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 31% proficiency in math and 60% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $70,728, where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a large city setting.

What's said publicly about North Central High School

Sources: Wikipedia

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

North Central High School is a public high school located in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States 1 . It operates as part of the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. en.wikipedia.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

North Central High School is a large school with 3,616 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.18 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.1Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65%
Overall Proficiency48%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected+9.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
College Readiness9.8Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation25.8%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment6.5Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,808

North Central High School — Students at North Central High School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 30.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 59.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
28%
ELA
54%
2021*
Math
34%
ELA
65%
2022
Math
30%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How North Central High School Compares

See how North Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.7/10
95th percentile in IN
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
6.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
210 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
25.8% participation·49 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1801 E 86th St, Indianapolis, IN 46240

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering North Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Purdue Polytechnic High Sch North (rated 4.4/10, 3.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Indiana Agriculture and Technology (rated 3.5/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Carmel), a more accessible option. For more schools in Indianapolis, see our Indianapolis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Hilltop School Indianapolis 0.2 mi 7.2
Northview Middle School Indianapolis 0.2 mi 8.6
COLONIAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Indianapolis 0.8 mi 7.6
Nora Elementary School Indianapolis 1.0 mi 6.8
IN Sch for the Blind & Vis Imprd Indianapolis 1.3 mi 5.3
IN Math & Science Academy - North Indianapolis 1.5 mi 5.0
Clearwater Elementary School Indianapolis 1.6 mi 8.4
KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER #1488 Indianapolis 1.8 mi
ST LUKE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Indianapolis 2.1 mi 6.5
PETER RABBIT NURSERY SCHOOL Carmel 2.5 mi
Spring Mill Elementary School Indianapolis 2.0 mi 6.7
Forest Dale Elementary School Carmel 2.5 mi 7.7
Purdue Polytechnic High Sch North Indianapolis 3.0 mi 4.4
Allisonville Elementary School Indianapolis 2.4 mi 6.0
ST ELIZABETH SETON PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN Carmel 2.8 mi
Merle Sidener Gifted Academy Indianapolis 3.4 mi 7.4
A CHILDREN'S HABITAT MONTESSORI SCHOOL Indianapolis 2.9 mi
Indiana Agriculture and Technology Carmel 3.6 mi 3.5
Greenbriar Elementary School Indianapolis 2.9 mi 7.4
Woodbrook Elementary School Carmel 3.5 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46240 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,728

Median Home Value

$328,600

Median Rent

$1,255/mo

Population

19,632

College Educated

58.7%

Homeownership

44.8%

Avg Commute

21.4 min

Poverty Rate

9.5%

Median Age

37.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding North Central High School has a median household income of $70,728. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $328,600, with a median rent of $1,255/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. 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
Avon High School Avon, IN 8.4
Columbus North High School Columbus, IN 8.4
Westfield High School Westfield, IN 8.2
Zionsville Community High School Zionsville, IN 8.0
Hamilton Southeastern HS Fishers, IN 7.7
Crown Point High School Crown Point, IN 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about North Central High School

What grades does North Central High School serve?

North Central High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend North Central High School?

North Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 3,616 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at North Central High School?

The student-teacher ratio at North Central High School is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does North Central High School rank in IN?

North Central High School is ranked #89 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is North Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

North Central High School has a composite rating of 8.7 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 North Central High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Central High School has 30.7% math proficiency and 59.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is North Central High School a charter school?

No, North Central High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is North Central High School a Title I school?

No, North Central High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Central High School?

53.8% of students at North Central High 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
27 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
29 Some Transit
Bike Score
53 Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,237/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Indianapolis). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
3,616
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
210
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Marion County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

MSD Washington Township
District Enrollment
10,735
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,546
District Rank
#1 of 13

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 methodology

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.