James Whitcomb Riley School 43

Summary:

James Whitcomb Riley School 43 is an elementary school serving grades PK-8 in the Indianapolis Public Schools district, with a student population of 275 that is predominantly African American.

Despite serving a high-needs student population, with 86% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, James Whitcomb Riley School 43 has consistently ranked among the lowest-performing elementary schools in Indiana, scoring 0 out of 5 stars from SchoolDigger. The school's proficiency rates on ILEARN assessments are significantly below state and district averages, and it struggles with high chronic absenteeism rates, reaching over 54% in the 2020-2021 school year. In comparison, George Washington Carver School 87, located just 1.95 miles away, outperforms James Whitcomb Riley School 43 by a wide margin on ILEARN assessments, with proficiency rates more than 30 percentage points higher in both English Language Arts and Math.

The combination of low academic achievement, high chronic absenteeism, and socioeconomic disadvantage suggests that James Whitcomb Riley School 43 faces significant challenges in providing a high-quality education to its students. Addressing these issues will require a comprehensive and collaborative approach involving the school, Indianapolis Public Schools district, and community stakeholders to ensure that all students have access to the support and resources they need to succeed.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-8

 150 W 40th St
       Indianapolis, IN  46208


(317) 226-4243

District: Indianapolis Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
999th of 1,010 Indiana Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $17,041 Help


Students who attend James Whitcomb Riley School 43 usually attend:

High:    Arsenal Technical High School
    Crispus Attucks High School
    George Washington High School
    Purdue Polytechnic High School Ind
    More...

Student/teacher ratio:  11.8 Help
Number of students:  275

Racial breakdown:

African American:
78.9%
Two or more races:
8.0%
Hispanic:
7.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  86.2% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details James Whitcomb Riley School 43 ranks worse than 98.9% of elementary schools in Indiana. It also ranks 31st among 34 ranked elementary schools in the Indianapolis Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 4.83. (See more...)
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Compare Details James Whitcomb Riley School 43 ranks worse than 97.7% of middle schools in Indiana. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 6.75. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (78.9%), two or more races (8%), Hispanic (7.6%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 86.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Indianapolis Public Schools District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at James Whitcomb Riley School 43 is 11.8, which is the 4th best among 34 elementary schools in the Indianapolis Public Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare James Whitcomb Riley School 43 employs 23.2 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at James Whitcomb Riley School 43 is $17,041, which is the 7th highest among 34 elementary schools in the Indianapolis Public Schools District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

James Whitcomb Riley School 43 was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks James Whitcomb Riley School 43 474th of 485 Indiana public middle schools. (See James Whitcomb Riley School 43 in the ranking list.)

Indianapolis Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Indianapolis Public Schools 290th of 381 Indiana school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for James Whitcomb Riley School 43

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 9.09 910th 959 5.1%
2006 16.19 874th 961 9.1%
2007 4.76 958th 985 2.7%
2008 5.55 965th 996 3.1%
2009 8.55 955th 1003 4.8%
2010 14.29 917th 1009 9.1%
2011 14.70 937th 1025 8.6%
2012 23.40 864th 1015 14.9%
2013 15.68 947th 1035 8.5%
2014 8.27 977th 1036 5.7%
2015 2.15 1026th 1040 1.3%
2016 0.97 1040th 1046 0.6%
2017 1.01 1028th 1033 0.5%
2018 1.59 1017th 1027 1.0%
2019 2.01 1026th 1031 0.5%
2021 6.07 977th 1016 3.8%
2022 4.79 1001st 1020 1.9%
2023 4.54 1008th 1016 0.8%
2024 4.83 999th 1010 1.1%
See the entire list of Indiana Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Indiana Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for James Whitcomb Riley School 43

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 1.75 468th 470 0.4%
2021 5.42 473rd 483 2.1%
2022 4.42 486th 490 0.8%
2023 5.31 482nd 489 1.4%
2024 6.75 474th 485 2.3%
See the entire list of Indiana Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Indiana Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

James Whitcomb Riley School 43 Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
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District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
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Data source: Indiana Department of Education

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Enrollment information for James Whitcomb Riley School 43

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 192 224 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 416
1989 189 275 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 467
1990 153 250 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 405
1991 142 205 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 347
1992 120 198 0 1 3 n/a n/a 0 322
1993 115 219 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 336
1994 50 239 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 291
1995 70 208 1 7 0 n/a n/a 2 288
1996 70 208 1 7 0 n/a n/a 2 288
1997 58 192 1 9 0 n/a n/a 5 265
1998 41 455 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 498
1999 51 387 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 439
2000 54 403 0 1 1 n/a n/a 0 459
2001 52 379 0 2 2 n/a n/a 0 435
2002 21 351 2 0 2 n/a n/a 0 376
2003 21 351 2 0 2 n/a n/a 0 376
2004 26 308 0 1 2 n/a n/a 0 337
2005 28 288 0 8 0 n/a n/a 0 324
2006 24 313 0 6 1 n/a n/a 0 344
2007 25 461 1 6 0 n/a n/a 23 516
2008 18 413 0 4 1 n/a n/a 22 458
2009 12 357 0 5 1 n/a n/a 26 401
2010 11 434 1 9 0 n/a n/a 32 487
2011 16 429 2 11 0 0 27 0 485
2012 9 389 0 18 0 0 21 0 437
2013 19 383 2 22 1 0 24 0 451
2014 13 447 1 17 1 0 27 0 506
2015 20 365 0 15 1 0 23 0 424
2016 23 334 1 14 0 0 24 0 396
2017 22 275 2 4 0 0 14 0 317
2018 35 415 3 58 1 0 20 0 532
2019 34 335 3 45 3 0 24 0 444
2020 21 336 4 40 1 0 24 0 426
2021 25 288 4 35 0 1 27 0 380
2022 20 246 4 36 5 0 30 0 341
2023 10 217 4 21 1 0 22 0 275

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at James Whitcomb Riley School 43

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 416 28.9 14.3 56.7
1989 467 31.5 14.8 53.3
1990 405 31.3 12.9 67.2
1991 347 26.4 13.1 57.3
1992 322 22.0 14.6 62.4
1993 336 25.8 13.0 68.5
1994 291 27.5 10.6 68
1995 288 19.9 14.5 71.7
1996 288 19.9 14.5 71.7
1997 265 20.9 12.7 75.4
1998 498 32.0 15.6 79.7
1999 439 32.0 13.7 84.7
2000 459 34.0 13.5 73.9
2001 435 34.0 12.8 87.8
2002 376 24.9 15.1 89.4
2003 376 24.9 15.1 89.4
2004 337 24.6 13.7 82.8
2005 324 25.1 12.9 79.6
2006 344 24.7 13.9 84.6
2007 516 n/a n/a 85.2
2008 458 36.6 12.5 78
2009 401 28.2 14.2 88.5
2010 487 28.8 16.9 87.5
2011 485 29.5 16.4 81.4
2012 437 26.0 16.8 85.6
2013 451 31.0 14.5 86
2014 506 38.5 13.1 86.6
2015 424 32.0 13.2 80.7
2016 396 22.0 18.0 77.3
2017 317 18.0 17.6 78.5
2018 532 38.2 13.9 79.7
2019 444 38.2 11.6 67.3
2020 426 47.0 9.0 73.7
2021 380 50.9 7.4 80.3
2022 341 29.7 11.4 79.8
2023 275 23.2 11.8 86.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio James Whitcomb Riley School 43

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 416 28.9 14.3 56.7
1989 467 31.5 14.8 53.3
1990 405 31.3 12.9 67.2
1991 347 26.4 13.1 57.3
1992 322 22.0 14.6 62.4
1993 336 25.8 13.0 68.5
1994 291 27.5 10.6 68
1995 288 19.9 14.5 71.7
1996 288 19.9 14.5 71.7
1997 265 20.9 12.7 75.4
1998 498 32.0 15.6 79.7
1999 439 32.0 13.7 84.7
2000 459 34.0 13.5 73.9
2001 435 34.0 12.8 87.8
2002 376 24.9 15.1 89.4
2003 376 24.9 15.1 89.4
2004 337 24.6 13.7 82.8
2005 324 25.1 12.9 79.6
2006 344 24.7 13.9 84.6
2007 516 n/a n/a 85.2
2008 458 36.6 12.5 78
2009 401 28.2 14.2 88.5
2010 487 28.8 16.9 87.5
2011 485 29.5 16.4 81.4
2012 437 26.0 16.8 85.6
2013 451 31.0 14.5 86
2014 506 38.5 13.1 86.6
2015 424 32.0 13.2 80.7
2016 396 22.0 18.0 77.3
2017 317 18.0 17.6 78.5
2018 532 38.2 13.9 79.7
2019 444 38.2 11.6 67.3
2020 426 47.0 9.0 73.7
2021 380 50.9 7.4 80.3
2022 341 29.7 11.4 79.8
2023 275 23.2 11.8 86.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for James Whitcomb Riley School 43

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,404 (11.0%) $11,327 (89.0%) $12,731
2020 $1,857 (13.9%) $11,467 (86.1%) $13,324
2021 $2,112 (12.5%) $14,840 (87.5%) $16,952
2022 $2,167 (12.7%) $14,874 (87.3%) $17,041

Data source: Indiana Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on James Whitcomb Riley School 43

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 1026th of 1031 Elementary schoolsRanks 1008th of 1016 Elementary schools
 0.3%
Ranks 468th of 470 Middle schoolsRanks 482nd of 489 Middle schools
 1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (James Whitcomb Riley School 43)2.72.7
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Indianapolis Public Schools)19.421.5
 2.1%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)46.339.7
 6.6%
3rd Grade Math (James Whitcomb Riley School 43)5.42.7
 2.7%
   3rd Grade Math (Indianapolis Public Schools)28.730.6
 1.9%
   3rd Grade Math (Indiana)58.753.1
 5.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (James Whitcomb Riley School 43)9.18.3
 0.8%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Indianapolis Public Schools)19.919.9
 0%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)45.840.3
 5.5%
4th Grade Math (James Whitcomb Riley School 43)21.24
 17.2%
   4th Grade Math (Indianapolis Public Schools)2525
 0%
   4th Grade Math (Indiana)5448.8
 5.2%
4th Grade Science (James Whitcomb Riley School 43)38.7
 5.7%
   4th Grade Science (Indianapolis Public Schools)18.116.2
 1.9%
   4th Grade Science (Indiana)46.337
 9.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (James Whitcomb Riley School 43)4.310.3
 6%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Indianapolis Public Schools)2219.6
 2.4%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)47.540.2
 7.3%
5th Grade Math (James Whitcomb Riley School 43)4.30
 4.3%
   5th Grade Math (Indianapolis Public Schools)20.120.1
 0%
   5th Grade Math (Indiana)47.841.1
 6.7%
5th Grade Social Studies (James Whitcomb Riley School 43)00
   5th Grade Social Studies (Indianapolis Public Schools)16.915.2
 1.7%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Indiana)4639.1
 6.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (James Whitcomb Riley School 43)5.78
 2.3%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Indianapolis Public Schools)2223
 1%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)47.840.8
 7%
6th Grade Math (James Whitcomb Riley School 43)8.64.2
 4.4%
   6th Grade Math (Indianapolis Public Schools)18.818.7
 0.1%
   6th Grade Math (Indiana)46.438.3
 8.1%
6th Grade Science (James Whitcomb Riley School 43)00
   6th Grade Science (Indianapolis Public Schools)1817.8
 0.2%
   6th Grade Science (Indiana)48.638.2
 10.4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (James Whitcomb Riley School 43)120
 12%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Indianapolis Public Schools)23.921.6
 2.3%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)49.739.5
 10.2%
7th Grade Math (James Whitcomb Riley School 43)00
   7th Grade Math (Indianapolis Public Schools)16.115.5
 0.6%
   7th Grade Math (Indiana)4232.9
 9.1%
8th Grade English Language Arts (James Whitcomb Riley School 43)07.4
 7.4%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Indianapolis Public Schools)27.428.6
 1.2%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)50.743.8
 6.9%
8th Grade Math (James Whitcomb Riley School 43)03.7
 3.7%
   8th Grade Math (Indianapolis Public Schools)1514.7
 0.3%
   8th Grade Math (Indiana)3831.4
 6.6%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students444275
 38.1%
African American335217
 35.2%
American Indian31
 66.7%
Asian34
 33.3%
Hispanic4521
 53.3%
Pacific Islander00
White3410
 70.6%
Two or More Races2422
 8.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients67.3%86.2%
 18.8%


Schools Near James Whitcomb Riley School 43









Frequently Asked Questions about James Whitcomb Riley School 43

In the 2022-23 school year, 275 students attended James Whitcomb Riley School 43.

Students at James Whitcomb Riley School 43 are 79% African American, 8% Two or more races, 8% Hispanic, 4% White, 1% Asian.

James Whitcomb Riley School 43 ranks in the bottom 1.1% of Indiana elementary schools.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Indiana Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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