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Merle Sidener Academy 59 - a High Ability School

Public Grades 1-5

Summary

Merle Sidener Gifted Academy is a public middle school in Indianapolis, Indiana, serving grades 2-8 with a total enrollment of 304 students. This exceptional school consistently ranks among the top middle schools in the state, maintaining a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger over the past decade.

Merle Sidener Gifted Academy significantly outperforms its peers in the Indianapolis Public Schools district and the state of Indiana on ILEARN assessments. In the 2024-2025 school year, the school is projected to have 64.58% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 20.83% for the district and 40.3-42.7% for the state. In math, the school is projected to have 69.44% proficient or better, compared to 20.99% for the district and 34.5-51.5% for the state. Additionally, Merle Sidener Gifted Academy has lower chronic absenteeism rates compared to the district.

Interestingly, the school serves a socioeconomically diverse population, with 41.72% to 45.39% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch. This suggests the school's exceptional academic performance is not limited to a specific socioeconomic group. When compared to nearby middle schools, such as H.L. Harshman Middle School and Arlington Community Middle School, Merle Sidener Gifted Academy significantly outperforms them on academic measures, further highlighting its status as a standout institution within the Indianapolis Public Schools district.

228

Students ?

10.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$20,159

Per pupil spending ?

47.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2424 Kessler Blvd E Dr
Indianapolis, IN 46220

(317) 226-4259

District: Indianapolis Public Schools

Racial breakdown:

African American:

39.0%

White:

31.1%

Hispanic:

18.9%

See top rated Indiana public schools

Compare Merle Sidener Academy 59 - a High Ability School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 100th percentile in 2015 → 94th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Indiana average (68% vs 38% meeting standards)

✓Small classes — about 11 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 6 percentile points since 2015

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school68%

District avg21%

Indiana avg38%

58^th of 1,005

Indiana public elementary schools ?

Top 6%▼ down 6 pts since 2015

From top 1% (2015) to top 6% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Indiana Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

300^th of 380Indianapolis Public Schools among Indiana districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Indiana percentile	Rating
2025	91.8	58 of 1005	94.2%	★★★★★
2024	95.6	23 of 1011	97.7%	★★★★★
2023	98.0	5 of 1016	99.5%	★★★★★
2022	98.3	4 of 1020	99.6%	★★★★★
2021	97.6	7 of 1016	99.3%	★★★★★
2019	95.8	10 of 1031	99.0%	★★★★★
2018	96.3	1 of 1027	99.9%	★★★★★
2017	95.7	4 of 1033	99.6%	★★★★★
2016	96.0	2 of 1046	99.8%	★★★★★
2015	97.3	1 of 1040	99.9%	★★★★★
2014	93.0	1 of 1036	99.9%	★★★★★
2013	92.8	1 of 1035	99.9%	★★★★★
2012	94.1	1 of 1015	99.9%	★★★★★
2011	93.5	1 of 1025	99.9%	★★★★★

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Indiana percentile	Rating
2024	98.0	4 of 491	99.2%	★★★★★
2023	99.0	2 of 489	99.6%	★★★★★
2022	99.3	1 of 490	99.8%	★★★★★
2021	98.5	2 of 483	99.6%	★★★★★
2019	98.1	2 of 470	99.6%	★★★★★
2018	96.5	3 of 473	99.4%	★★★★★
2017	96.9	2 of 472	99.6%	★★★★★
2016	96.8	1 of 494	99.8%	★★★★★
2015	98.6	1 of 485	99.8%	★★★★★
2014	94.6	1 of 470	99.8%	★★★★★
2013	95.1	1 of 444	99.8%	★★★★★
2012	95.6	1 of 447	99.8%	★★★★★
2011	95.2	1 of 451	99.8%	★★★★★

By subject vs Indiana (2024-2025) ?

Science79%

Math69%

English Language Arts65%

Social Studies62%+24 vs state

3.7

3 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★2

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Wednesday, March 3, 2021

My two children have loved being at this school. The teachers and administration are excellent and I have high expectations. I would recommend this school to parents who have engaged and smart kids who enjoy learning. Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, December 16, 2019

This is such a wonderful school - we are so impressed! The curriculum is awesome and so interesting and inclusive! My son's teacher is always going the extra mile to create challenging and interesting lessons for the whole class to engage in. There are so many extra circular actives it's really hard to choose what to do. Also, the administration is fabulously wonderful. Everyone is friendly and helpful with great communication. Anything anything relevant is happening we get an email, a call, and a text alongside a weekly newsletter and a classroom newsletter. This school is the best! Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Horrible school, only sounds good in theory. School is run by bullies. IPS ensures that students are not successful by mismanaging funding, policies, bullies, etc. the middle school is particularly awful. Most people who send their kids here regret it. The culture here is centered around narcissism. The lack of empathy is very difficult for normal kids to deal with. Close Quote

Schools Near Merle Sidener Academy 59 - a High Ability School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				ILEARN English Language Arts (2025)					ILEARN Math (2025)					ILEARN Science (2025)			ILEARN Social Studies (2025)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ILEARN English Language Arts 3rd Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 4th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 5th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 6th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts All Grades	ILEARN Math 3rd Grade	ILEARN Math 4th Grade	ILEARN Math 5th Grade	ILEARN Math 6th Grade	ILEARN Math All Grades	ILEARN Science 4th Grade	ILEARN Science 6th Grade	ILEARN Science All Grades	ILEARN Social Studies 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Merle Sidener Academy 59 - a High Ability School	Public	1-5	2424 Kessler Blvd E Dr	Indianapolis	46220	Marion County	Indianapolis Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(317) 226-4259	228	21	10.8	47.8%	71 (31.1%)	89 (39.0%)	43 (18.9%)	6 (2.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (8.3%)	91.8				95.6	23^rd of 1011 public elementary schools	97.7%	(n/a)	62.5	62.5	70.0		64.6	70.8	73.2	62.5		69.4	78.6		78.6	62.5	$20,159	$3,286	$16,873
ACE Preparatory Academy	Public, Charter	K-6	5326 Hillside Avenue	Indianapolis	46220	Marion County	ACE Preparatory Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(317) 744-9847	131	12	10.9	84.7%	3 (2.3%)	103 (78.6%)	11 (8.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (10.7%)	26.2	763^rd of 1005 public elementary schools	24.1%		25.1	768^th of 1011 public elementary schools	24.0%	5	23.5	20.0	27.3	16.7	22.2	35.3	13.3	18.2	22.2	22.2	53.3	11.1	30.3	36.4	$14,014	$1,464	$12,550
Eliza Baker School 55 - a Butler Lab Reggio Emilia School	Public	PK, KG-5	1349 E 54th St	Indianapolis	46220	Marion County	Indianapolis Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(317) 226-4255	301	21	14.3	31.6%	162 (53.8%)	74 (24.6%)	38 (12.6%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (8.0%)	48.1	538^th of 1005 public elementary schools	46.5%		34.2	683^rd of 1011 public elementary schools	32.4%	145	38.5	37.0	40.4		38.7	46.2	37.0	32.7		38.7	39.1		39.1	40.4	$17,498	$3,201	$14,298
Rousseau McClellan School 91 - a Montessori School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	5111 Evanston Ave	Indianapolis	46205	Marion County	Indianapolis Public Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(317) 226-4291	506	32	15.8	35.8%	219 (43.3%)	144 (28.5%)	99 (19.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (8.5%)	45.1	572^nd of 1005 public elementary schools	43.1%		45	579^th of 1011 public elementary schools	42.7%	7	41.8	46.4	35.7		41.3	41.8	30.4	25.0		33.0	48.2		48.2	26.8	$20,051	$3,097	$16,954
Joseph J. Bingham School 84 Center for Inquiry	Public	K-5	440 E 57th St	Indianapolis	46220	Marion County	Indianapolis Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(317) 226-4284	360	27	13.3	11.9%	263 (73.1%)	31 (8.6%)	21 (5.8%)	7 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	37 (10.3%)	92.1	55^th of 1005 public elementary schools	94.5%		94.3	36^th of 1011 public elementary schools	96.4%	19	69.1	60.4	60.4		63.5	87.3	72.9	64.2		75.0	70.8		70.8	58.5	$18,179	$2,885	$15,295
Mary Nicholson School 70 Center for Inquiry	Public	K-5	510 East 46th Street	Indianapolis	46205	Marion County	Indianapolis Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(317) 226-4270	351	25	14.3	21.7%	229 (65.2%)	53 (15.1%)	35 (10.0%)	7 (2.0%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	25 (7.1%)	81.4	167^th of 1005 public elementary schools	83.4%		70.3	296^th of 1011 public elementary schools	70.7%	129	69.4	55.4	50.0		57.9	73.5	60.7	57.4		63.5	55.4		55.4	46.3	$17,855	$3,032	$14,823
Tindley Genesis Academy	Public, Charter	K-6	4020 Meadows Pkwy	Indianapolis	46205	Marion County	Tindley Genesis Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(317) 545-1745	368	24	15.3	87.2%	1 (0.3%)	311 (84.5%)	40 (10.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (4.1%)	8.4	947^th of 1005 public elementary schools	5.8%		8.5	949^th of 1011 public elementary schools	6.1%	2	22.0	3.3	11.1	16.7	13.1	22.0	5.0	8.3	16.7	13.1	1.7	13.9	6.3	8.3	$10,831	$4,264	$6,568
Avondale Meadows Academy	Public, Charter	K-4	3980 Meadows Dr	Indianapolis	46205	Marion County	Avondale Meadows Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(317) 803-3182	332	25	13.2	93.7%	1 (0.3%)	285 (85.8%)	23 (6.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.6%)	20 (6.0%)	6.4	968^th of 1005 public elementary schools	3.7%		4.6	1004^th of 1011 public elementary schools	0.7%	36	13.6	15.7			14.6	15.3	9.8			12.7	6.0		6.0		$14,380	$3,593	$10,788
Clearwater Elementary School	Public	K-5	3575 E 79th Street	Indianapolis	46240	Marion County	MSD Washington Township	No	No	No	Yes	(317) 259-5465	750	39	19.2	39.6%	347 (46.3%)	234 (31.2%)	94 (12.5%)	11 (1.5%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	62 (8.3%)	79.2	191^st of 1005 public elementary schools	81.0%		81.2	173^rd of 1011 public elementary schools	82.9%	18	56.1	52.4	51.2		53.2	68.3	59.7	57.0		61.7	52.0		52.0	50.4	$12,684	$1,248	$11,436
Fox Hill Elementary School	Public	K-5	802 Fox Hill Dr	Indianapolis	46228	Marion County	MSD Washington Township	No	No	No	Yes	(317) 259-5371	603	36	16.7	50.2%	118 (19.6%)	209 (34.7%)	195 (32.3%)	30 (5.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	50 (8.3%)	46.2	560^th of 1005 public elementary schools	44.3%		40.2	628^th of 1011 public elementary schools	37.9%	68	30.7	41.4	35.0		35.7	42.6	42.3	40.2		41.6	42.3		42.3	31.6	$12,538	$1,241	$11,296

Frequently Asked Questions about Merle Sidener Academy 59 - a High Ability School

What district is Merle Sidener Academy 59 - a High Ability School in?

Indianapolis Public Schools

How many students attend Merle Sidener Academy 59 - a High Ability School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 228 students attended Merle Sidener Academy 59 - a High Ability School.

What is the racial makeup of Merle Sidener Academy 59 - a High Ability School?

Students at Merle Sidener Academy 59 - a High Ability School are 39% African American, 31% White, 19% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

Rate Merle Sidener Academy 59 - a High Ability School!

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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.