Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Needham Elementary School

Q: Is Needham Elementary School a good school?

Needham Elementary School ranks 468 th of 1015 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-4

468^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,015 Indiana Elementary Schools

Better than 54% of Indiana elementary schools

Summary

Needham Elementary School is a PK–4 school at 1399 Upper Shelbyville Rd in Franklin, Indiana, serving about 347 students as one of five elementary schools in the Franklin Community School Corp. For 2025-26, Needham ranks 468th of 1,015 Indiana elementaries — the 54th percentile, or 3 stars. That is essentially identical to its district's own 53rd percentile, meaning the school neither lifts nor drags the district average, though it is the lowest-ranked of the five Franklin elementaries this year.

Needham's most distinctive feature is an unusual split between subjects. Its math proficiency (52.48%) is more than 10 points above the district average, while its English/language arts score (37.59%) is more than 10 points below it — the largest math-over-ELA gap among Franklin's elementaries. Reading is the clearest weak spot: 3rd grade ELA (33.33%) is below the state and the lowest of all five Franklin elementaries, while 4th grade ELA (41.67%) sits at the state average. Fourth-grade science (45.83%) is above the state level. Over several years, ELA has been flat and low, while math has slipped from a 61.83% high in 2022-23 toward its current level.

Needham's standout strength is attendance: chronic absenteeism is 10.0%, well below the district (16.4%) and state (16.7%), and third-lowest among eleven nearby schools. But it has nearly doubled from 5.4% in 2022-23. The school also has a lower free/reduced-lunch rate (46.97%) than nearly all of its neighbors. Worth noting: Webb Elementary School, 0.15 miles away, has a higher poverty rate and larger classes, yet ranks slightly higher and posts better reading and math scores. Northwood Elementary School, Creekside Elementary School and Union Elementary School also outperform Needham academically. With small grade-level cohorts, year-to-year swings are large, so the steady mid-50s percentile plateau is the more reliable signal than any single year.

347

Students ?

16.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,107

Per pupil spending ?

47.0%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

92.8%

Kindergartners vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) (2025-26)

1399 Upper Shelbyville Rd
Franklin, IN 46131

(317) 738-5780

District: Franklin Community School Corp

Students who attend Needham Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Custer Baker Intermediate School
	Franklin Community Middle School
High:	Franklin Community High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

83.0%

Two or more races:

7.8%

Hispanic:

6.1%

See top rated Indiana elementary schools

Compare Needham Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 75th percentile in 2016 → 54th in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the Indiana median (54th percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 21 percentile points since 2016

!Near the bottom of Franklin Community School Corp's ranking

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school45%

District avg45%

468^th of 1,015

Indiana public elementary schools ?

Top 46%▼ down 21 pts since 2016

From top 25% (2016) to top 46% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Indiana Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

5^th of 5Elementary Schools in the Franklin Community School Corp

174^th of 374Franklin Community School Corp 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)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Indiana percentile	Rating
2026	54.5	468 of 1015	53.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	47.4	545 of 1005	45.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	54.2	479 of 1011	52.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	63.2	376 of 1016	63.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	64.5	368 of 1020	63.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	45.4	598 of 1016	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	48.6	587 of 1031	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	46.2	638 of 1027	37.9%	★★☆☆☆
2017	56.1	515 of 1033	50.1%	★★★☆☆
2016	72.9	259 of 1046	75.2%	★★★★☆
2015	69.1	313 of 1040	69.9%	★★★☆☆
2014	66.3	374 of 1036	63.9%	★★★☆☆
2013	42.3	709 of 1035	31.5%	★★☆☆☆
2012	46.7	662 of 1015	34.8%	★★☆☆☆
2011	35.2	782 of 1025	23.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	40.0	712 of 1009	29.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	44.2	668 of 1003	33.4%	★★☆☆☆
2008	47.2	629 of 996	36.8%	★★☆☆☆
2007	58.8	453 of 985	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2006	63.6	356 of 961	63.0%	★★★☆☆
2005	61.8	379 of 959	60.5%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Indiana (2025-2026) ?

Math52%

Science46%

English Language Arts38%

5.0

1 rating

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Rate Needham Elementary School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Needham Elementary School

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				ILEARN English Language Arts (2026)				ILEARN Math (2026)				ILEARN Science (2026)		ILEARN Social Studies (2026)	Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
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/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	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 All Grades	ILEARN Math 3rd Grade	ILEARN Math 4th Grade	ILEARN Math 5th Grade	ILEARN Math All Grades	ILEARN Science 4th Grade	ILEARN Science All Grades	ILEARN Social Studies 5th Grade	Vaccination: Kindergartners vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Needham Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	1399 Upper Shelbyville Rd	Franklin	46131	Johnson County	Franklin Community School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(317) 738-5780	347	22	16.1	47.0%	288 (83.0%)	8 (2.3%)	21 (6.1%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	27 (7.8%)	54.5	468^th of 1015 public elementary schools	53.9%		47.4	545^th of 1005 public elementary schools	45.8%	77	33.3	41.7		37.6	53.6	51.4		52.5	45.8	45.8		92.8%		$13,107	$767	$12,340
Webb Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	1400 Webb Ct	Franklin	46131	Johnson County	Franklin Community School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(317) 738-5790	319	18	17.7	51.7%	274 (85.9%)	8 (2.5%)	12 (3.8%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (6.9%)	58.2	419^th of 1015 public elementary schools	58.7%		42.4	595^th of 1005 public elementary schools	40.8%	176	40.0	41.8		41.0	60.0	48.2		53.8	46.3	46.3		91.2%		$12,831	$697	$12,134
Northwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	965 Grizzly Cub Dr	Franklin	46131	Johnson County	Franklin Community School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(317) 346-8900	505	33	15.5	60.2%	408 (80.8%)	15 (3.0%)	44 (8.7%)	12 (2.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (5.0%)	57.7	424^th of 1015 public elementary schools	58.2%		56.6	439^th of 1005 public elementary schools	56.3%	15	51.0	44.3		47.4	44.8	46.0		45.5	47.8	47.8		91.4%		$12,281	$853	$11,428
Creekside Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	700 E Sr 44	Franklin	46131	Johnson County	Franklin Community School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(317) 346-8800	517	30	17.2	53.0%	414 (80.1%)	9 (1.7%)	46 (8.9%)	6 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	42 (8.1%)	72.5	258^th of 1015 public elementary schools	74.6%		70.5	285^th of 1005 public elementary schools	71.6%	27	46.1	61.1		53.6	58.4	65.6		62.0	45.6	45.6		92.2%		$11,326	$784	$10,542
Whiteland Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	120 Center St	Whiteland	46184	Johnson County	Clark-Pleasant Community School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(317) 535-4211	370	29	12.7	55.9%	266 (71.9%)	21 (5.7%)	13 (3.5%)	57 (15.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (3.5%)	73.4	253^rd of 1015 public elementary schools	75.1%		70.8	280^th of 1005 public elementary schools	72.1%	27	55.6	58.9	59.4	57.8	60.5	71.4	46.4	58.7	42.9	42.9	46.4	97.9%		$11,905	$420	$11,485
Break-O-Day Elementary School	Public	K-5	900 Sawmill Rd	New Whiteland	46184	Johnson County	Clark-Pleasant Community School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(317) 535-7536	499	29	17.0	59.3%	386 (77.4%)	16 (3.2%)	19 (3.8%)	30 (6.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	48 (9.6%)	75.4	233^rd of 1015 public elementary schools	77.0%		55.3	457^th of 1005 public elementary schools	54.5%	224	61.1	46.3	72.6	61.7	52.6	56.7	58.8	56.1	46.3	46.3	55.5	61.1%		$10,785	$421	$10,364
Clark Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	Cr 700 N & 575 E	Franklin	46131	Johnson County	Clark-Pleasant Community School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(317) 535-8503	440	34	13.0	58.2%	172 (39.1%)	46 (10.5%)	23 (5.2%)	177 (40.2%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	19 (4.3%)	64.2	354^th of 1015 public elementary schools	65.1%		58.5	424^th of 1005 public elementary schools	57.8%	70	50.0	49.3	55.1	51.3	47.6	60.3	50.7	52.7	34.7	34.7	49.3	100%		$12,387	$471	$11,916
Grassy Creek Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2111 Sheek Rd	Greenwood	46143	Johnson County	Clark-Pleasant Community School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(317) 535-3980	847	54	15.6	51.0%	382 (45.1%)	101 (11.9%)	49 (5.8%)	256 (30.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	59 (7.0%)	77	218^th of 1015 public elementary schools	78.5%		60.4	397^th of 1005 public elementary schools	60.5%	179	59.4	57.3	55.7	57.4	61.4	61.5	46.1	56.2	61.5	61.5	51.3	95.2%		$8,862	$483	$8,379
Ray Crowe Elementary	Public	K-5	1300 Ray Crowe Way	Greenwood	46143	Johnson County	Clark-Pleasant Community School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(317) 530-4018	611	35	17.3	63.8%	320 (52.4%)	71 (11.6%)	56 (9.2%)	114 (18.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	50 (8.2%)	53.8	476^th of 1015 public elementary schools	53.1%		46.3	558^th of 1005 public elementary schools	44.5%	82	50.9	34.4	43.8	43.6	60.0	47.8	41.6	50.5	32.2	32.2	38.2	69.6%		$9,626	$496	$9,130
Union Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	3990 W Division Rd	Bargersville	46106	Johnson County	Franklin Community School Corp	No	No	No	No	(317) 422-5223	165	11	15.0	24.2%	157 (95.2%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (3.0%)	92.1	51^st of 1015 public elementary schools	95.0%		87.8	109^th of 1005 public elementary schools	89.2%	58	70.4	64.3		67.3	85.2	71.4		78.2	64.3	64.3		95.2%		$14,273	$658	$13,615

Frequently Asked Questions about Needham Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Needham Elementary School?

Students at Needham Elementary School are 83% White, 8% Two or more races, 6% Hispanic, 2% African American.

How many students attend Needham Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 347 students attended Needham Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of Needham Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Needham Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Custer Baker Intermediate School
Middle : Franklin Community Middle School
High : Franklin Community High School

What district is Needham Elementary School in?

Franklin Community School Corp

Is Needham Elementary School a good school?

Needham Elementary School ranks 468^th of 1015 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Rate Needham Elementary School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

INIndiana Elementary School Rankings

INIndiana District Rankings

Schools in Franklin, IN

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Needham Elementary School!

Latest Indiana data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataNewOct 28, 2026

2025–26 attendance dataNewOct 28, 2026

2024–25 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)Oct 20, 2026

2023–24 immunization rates (updated)Oct 19, 2026

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.