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Average

#917 of 1,823 schools in IN

Northwest Community Middle School

Middle School · Indianapolis Public Schools

5525 W 34th St, Indianapolis, IN 46224

Enrollment

388

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

6.3

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Indianapolis

#97 of 222

public schools

Indiana middle schools

#140 of 330

In district

#29 of 47

Indianapolis Public Schools

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Northwest Community Middle School

Northwest Community Middle School serves grades 7 and 8 in Indianapolis, located on the city's west side at 5525 W 34th St. The school enrolls 388 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1, supported by 32 full-time equivalent teachers—a manageable class size that can support personalized attention. The school earns a MySchoolScout Rating of 8.7/10 and ranks #129 out of 1831 Indiana schools, placing it in the 93rd percentile statewide.

This strong overall performance reflects the school's Academic Score of 8.3/10. However, standardized test results show room for academic growth, particularly in core subjects. ELA/Reading proficiency averages 10% across grades, while Math proficiency averages 3%—areas where the school is actively working to support student development and improvement.

As a regular public middle school in a large city setting, Northwest Community serves an important role in the Indianapolis community, providing educational opportunities to young adolescents during a critical developmental period. For families considering this school, the strong state ranking alongside areas for academic focus presents a school actively engaged in supporting its students' growth.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Northwest Community Middle School 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 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics1.6Significantly Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency8.4%
Math vs. State Avg-35.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-32.2 pts
Overall Proficiency6%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected-33.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,511

Northwest Community Middle School — Students at Northwest Community Middle School score 6% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 3.6%
School
State
38.2%
ELA Proficiency 9.0%
School
State
40.5%

Based on 15 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
4%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
11%
2022
Math
3%
2025
Math
3.8%
ELA
8.3%

* 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 Northwest Community Middle School Compares

See how Northwest Community Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
50th percentile in IN
Academic
1.6/10
1.6/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

5525 W 34th St, Indianapolis, IN 46224

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northwest Community Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Speedway Junior High School (rated 6.9/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Speedway), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Guion Creek Middle School (rated 4.6/10, 2.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Indianapolis, see our Indianapolis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Monarca Academy Indianapolis 0.0 mi
Excel Center - West Indianapolis 0.4 mi 5.1
Meredith Nicholson School 96 Indianapolis 0.5 mi 7.4
Enlace Academy Indianapolis 0.6 mi 6.7
Frank H Wheeler Elementary Sch 4 Speedway 0.6 mi 9.3
Lew Wallace School 107 Indianapolis 0.5 mi 7.0
Carl Wilde School 79 Indianapolis 0.7 mi 6.7
Speedway Senior High School Speedway 1.0 mi 7.1
Jonathan Jennings School 109 Indianapolis 1.1 mi 6.7
James A Allison Elementary Sch 3 Speedway 1.3 mi 9.5
IN Math & Science Academy Indianapolis 1.3 mi 9.3
Arthur C Newby Elementary School 2 Speedway 1.6 mi 8.4
North Wayne Elementary School Indianapolis 1.3 mi 5.8
Clarence Farrington School 61 Indianapolis 1.3 mi 6.1
ST CHRISTOPHER SCHOOL Indianapolis 2.0 mi 7.9
Carl G Fisher Elementary School 1 Speedway 2.2 mi 9.0
Speedway Junior High School Speedway 2.2 mi 6.9
Eagle Creek Elementary School Indianapolis 2.0 mi 4.7
Guion Creek Middle School Indianapolis 2.4 mi 4.6
Snacks Crossing Elementary School Indianapolis 2.6 mi 4.3

Neighborhood 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 Northwest Community Middle School 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
Corydon Intermediate School Corydon, IN 6.3
Dickinson Fine Arts Academy South Bend, IN 6.3
Greenfield Intermediate School Greenfield, IN 6.3
Justice Thurgood Marshall Intrmd Marion, IN 6.3
Whiting Middle School Whiting, IN 6.3
Bedford Middle School Bedford, IN 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northwest Community Middle School

What grades does Northwest Community Middle School serve?

Northwest Community Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Northwest Community Middle School?

Northwest Community Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 388 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwest Community Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Northwest Community Middle School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northwest Community Middle School rank in IN?

Northwest Community Middle School is ranked #917 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Northwest Community Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwest Community Middle School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Northwest Community Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwest Community Middle School has 3.6% math proficiency and 9.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Northwest Community Middle School a charter school?

No, Northwest Community Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Northwest Community Middle School a Title I school?

No, Northwest Community Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwest Community Middle School?

51.3% of students at Northwest Community Middle 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

City Safety
High (4,237/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
388
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
51.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Marion County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Indianapolis Public Schools
District Enrollment
21,863
Schools in District
48
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,197
District Rank
#29 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 methodology

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