Below Average
#1682 of 1,823 schools in IN
Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy
School · Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy
4352 Mitthoeffer Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46235
Enrollment
289
Student-Teacher
3.5:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
289
Student-Teacher
3.5:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Indianapolis
#201 of 222
public schools
Indiana schools
#52 of 58
About Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy
Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy is a charter school in Indianapolis, Indiana, offering education from kindergarten through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 289 students and a student-teacher ratio of 3.5:1, the school provides individualized attention to support its diverse learning community. The dedicated team of 83 full-time equivalent teachers aims to foster leadership skills and academic growth in every student.
Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy currently has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10, ranking it at number 1768 among Indiana's 1831 schools. Academic performance shows that only 17% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 12% in Math, with no proficiency reported in Science. While these numbers indicate areas for improvement, the school is committed to focusing on student development and providing a supportive learning environment.
Located in a large city setting, Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy serves a diverse community within Indianapolis. Despite its challenges, the school continues to work towards enhancing academic outcomes and offering a comprehensive education to its students.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 3.5:1, Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy is a virtual school, meaning instruction is delivered primarily online. Virtual schools offer flexibility but require strong self-discipline and a reliable home learning environment. Parents should consider whether their child thrives with independent, technology-based learning and ask about the school's approach to student engagement and support.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy — Students at Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 20 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: 2.0/10.
How Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy Compares
See how Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34.5% (2021) to 7.43% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 34.5% (2021) to 14.19% (2025).
Location
4352 Mitthoeffer Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46235
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. CORNERSTONE BAPTIST ACADEMY (rated 8.8/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Phalen at Francis Scott Key 103 (rated 7.7/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lakeside Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Indianapolis, see our Indianapolis schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46235 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,160
Median Home Value
$169,300
Median Rent
$923/mo
Population
35,897
College Educated
17.1%
Homeownership
52.7%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
18.7%
Median Age
30.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy has a median household income of $56,160. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $169,300, with a median rent of $923/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.7%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| South Bend Virtual School South Bend, IN | 4.7 |
| Vigo Virtual School Academy Terre Haute, IN | 3.2 |
| Elkhart Alternative Education Elkhart, IN | 5.1 |
| Damar Charter Academy Indianapolis, IN | 5.3 |
| TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Martinsville, IN | 5.4 |
| Irvington Preparatory Academy Indianapolis, IN | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy
What grades does Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy serve?
Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy?
Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy has an enrollment of approximately 289 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy is 3.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy rank in IN?
Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy is ranked #1682 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy has 10.9% math proficiency and 16.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy a charter school?
Yes, Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy a Title I school?
No, Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy?
42.2% of students at Phalen Virtual Leadership 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
- City Safety
- High (4,237/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Indianapolis). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 289
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 3.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 83
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Marion County
- Phone
- (317) 939-3787
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy- District Enrollment
- 289
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,314
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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