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James Whitcomb Riley School 43

Q: Is James Whitcomb Riley School 43 a good school?

James Whitcomb Riley School 43 ranks in the bottom 0.4% of Indiana elementary schools.

Q: How many students attend James Whitcomb Riley School 43?

In the 2024-25 school year, 240 students attended James Whitcomb Riley School 43.

Q: What is the racial makeup of James Whitcomb Riley School 43?

Students at James Whitcomb Riley School 43 are 74% African American, 11% Two or more races, 9% Hispanic, 5% White, 2% Asian.

Q: What schools do graduates of James Whitcomb Riley School 43 attend?

Students who attend James Whitcomb Riley School 43 usually go on to attend: High : Arsenal Technical High School High : Crispus Attucks High School High : George Washington High School High : Purdue Polytechnic High School Ind High : Shortridge High School

Public Grades PK, KG-8

1011^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,015 Indiana Elementary Schools

Better than 0% of Indiana elementary schools

Summary

James Whitcomb Riley School 43 is a PK-8 school at 150 W 40th St in Indianapolis, serving about 240 students as part of Indianapolis Public Schools, a district that ranks 316th of 374 in the state (16th percentile, 1 star). About 72.5% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, class sizes are unusually small (8.7 students per teacher), and spending is high at $20,942 per student — yet for 2025-2026 the school ranks 1011th out of 1015 schools (0th percentile, 0 stars), with single-digit proficiency rates in every core subject.

Compared with nearby schools, Riley's proficiency is the lowest in its immediate area: 3.88% in ELA, 3.85% in Math, and 7.69% in Science. Nearby Joseph J. Bingham School 84 (62.42% ELA, 70.47% Math), Mary Nicholson School 70, and Herron Preparatory Academy score far higher, while only Liberty Grove Schools (12.59% ELA, 5.19% Math) and Louis B Russell Junior School 48 are close, and Riley still trails them in ELA and Math. Chronic absenteeism is 38.4% — better than Liberty Grove (53.0%) and Louis B. Russell (65.3%) but well above the state average of 16.7% and above Bingham (4.3%), Nicholson (10.1%), and Herron Prep (11.6%). Notably, Herron Prep reaches the 72nd percentile while spending $12,676 per student, roughly $8,000 less than Riley.

Within the same district, less than two miles apart, sit Bingham (91st percentile, 5 stars) and Riley (0th percentile, 0 stars), with FRL rates of 11.94% and 72.5% and absenteeism of 4.3% and 38.4% — a stark divide in the educational realities families face. A key concern is early literacy: 3rd grade ELA proficiency is 0%, rising to 7.41% in 4th and 4.76% in 5th. Nearby alternatives are mixed: high-poverty charters such as KIPP Indy Unite Elementary, Liberty Grove, and Louis B. Russell perform similarly or only marginally better with much higher absenteeism, while the strongest nearby options serve far lower FRL populations and may be magnet, option, or charter schools with enrollment rules that not all neighborhood families can access.

240

Students ?

8.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$20,942

Per pupil spending ?

72.5%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

150 W 40th St
Indianapolis, IN 46208

(317) 226-4243

District: Indianapolis Public Schools

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...
	Shortridge High School

Racial breakdown:

African American:

74.2%

Two or more races:

10.8%

Hispanic:

8.8%

See top rated Indiana elementary schools

Compare James Whitcomb Riley School 43 to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 1st percentile in 2016 → <1st in 2026

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 9 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Indiana average (4% vs 47% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (<1st percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (38% vs 17% Indiana)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school4%

District avg21%

Indiana avg47%

1,011^th of 1,015

Indiana public elementary schools ?

Bottom 1%▬ steady since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Indiana Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

36^th of 36Elementary Schools in the Indianapolis Public Schools

316^th of 374Indianapolis 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
2026	3.1	1011 of 1015	0.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	3.5	1001 of 1005	0.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	4.8	1000 of 1011	1.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	4.5	1008 of 1016	0.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	4.8	1001 of 1020	1.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	6.1	977 of 1016	3.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	2.0	1026 of 1031	0.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	1.6	1017 of 1027	1.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	1.0	1028 of 1033	0.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	1.0	1040 of 1046	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	2.2	1026 of 1040	1.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2014	8.3	977 of 1036	5.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	15.7	947 of 1035	8.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	23.4	864 of 1015	14.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	14.7	937 of 1025	8.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2010	14.3	917 of 1009	9.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2009	8.5	955 of 1003	4.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2008	5.6	965 of 996	3.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2007	4.8	958 of 985	2.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2006	16.2	874 of 961	9.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2005	9.1	910 of 959	5.1%	☆☆☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Indiana percentile	Rating
2024	6.7	478 of 491	2.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	5.3	482 of 489	1.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	4.4	486 of 490	0.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	5.4	473 of 483	2.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	1.7	468 of 470	0.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

By subject vs Indiana (2025-2026) ?

Science8%

Social Studies5%-42 vs state

English Language Arts4%

Math4%

★

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Schools Near James Whitcomb Riley School 43

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				ILEARN English Language Arts (2026)						ILEARN Math (2026)						ILEARN Science (2026)			ILEARN Social Studies (2026)	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/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 6th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 7th 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 7th 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
James Whitcomb Riley School 43	Public	PK, KG-8	150 W 40th St	Indianapolis	46208	Marion County	Indianapolis Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(317) 226-4243	240	28	8.7	72.5%	11 (4.6%)	178 (74.2%)	21 (8.8%)	4 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (10.8%)	3.1	1011^th of 1015 public elementary schools	0.4%		3.5	1001^st of 1005 public elementary schools	0.4%	10	0.0	7.4	4.8			3.9	2.9	7.4	2.3			3.9	7.7		7.7	4.8	$20,942	$3,330	$17,611
William Bell School 60 - a Butler Lab Reggio Emilia School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-8	3330 N Pennsylvania	Indianapolis	46205	Marion County	Indianapolis Public Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(317) 226-4369	381	37	10.4	56.4%	95 (24.9%)	202 (53.0%)	50 (13.1%)	1 (0.3%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (7.9%)	18	838^th of 1015 public elementary schools	17.4%		17.3	841^st of 1005 public elementary schools	16.3%	3	1.8	24.4	30.8			18.0	3.5	31.7	19.2			16.7	29.3		29.3	28.9	$17,115	$3,120	$13,995
Louis B Russell Junior School 48	Public, Charter	K-6	3445 N Central	Indianapolis	46205	Marion County	Phalen Leadership Academy at Louis B Russell School 48	Yes	No	No	Yes	(317) 226-4248	274	23	11.9	79.2%	4 (1.5%)	212 (77.4%)	35 (12.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (8.0%)	11.5	911^th of 1015 public elementary schools	10.2%		11.6	901^st of 1005 public elementary schools	10.3%	10	8.8	4.2	10.0	18.2		10.0	26.5	20.8	26.7	22.7		24.6	0.0	18.2	8.7	6.9	$23,612	$6,251	$17,361
Mary Nicholson School 70	Public	K-8	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%)	70.6	283^rd of 1015 public elementary schools	72.1%		81.4	167^th of 1005 public elementary schools	83.4%	116	49.2	60.7	48.2			52.6	55.6	57.1	38.9			50.9	60.7		60.7	53.7	$17,855	$3,032	$14,823
Herron Preparatory Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	3100 N. Meridian	Indianapolis	46208	Marion County	Herron Preparatory Academy	Yes	No	No	No	(317) 231-0010	428	47	9.1	36.4%	194 (45.3%)	140 (32.7%)	47 (11.0%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	44 (10.3%)	70.1	287^th of 1015 public elementary schools	71.7%		69.7	292^nd of 1005 public elementary schools	70.9%	5	33.3	46.0	30.6	57.3	64.0	46.4	52.9	75.7	49.0	52.0	44.0	56.0	66.2	48.7	57.4	46.9	$12,676	$1,438	$11,238
George Washington Carver School 87 - a Montessori School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-8	2411 Indpls Ave	Indianapolis	46208	Marion County	Indianapolis Public Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(317) 226-4287	246	24	10.2	45.1%	42 (17.1%)	87 (35.4%)	89 (36.2%)	4 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (9.8%)	11.8	907^th of 1015 public elementary schools	10.6%		26.2	765^th of 1005 public elementary schools	23.9%	142	12.2	18.4	11.1			13.8	16.3	29.0	16.7			20.3	23.7		23.7	19.4	$17,999	$3,350	$14,650
Joseph J. Bingham School 84	Public	K-8	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%)	88.2	91^st of 1015 public elementary schools	91.0%		92.1	55^th of 1005 public elementary schools	94.5%	36	63.3	63.6	60.0			62.4	79.6	80.0	48.9			70.5	69.1		69.1	62.2	$18,179	$2,885	$15,295
Liberty Grove Schools	Public, Charter	K-6	1002 W. 25th Street	Indianapolis	46208	Marion County	Liberty Grove Schools	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(317) 226-3807	227	16	12.6	—	3 (1.3%)	157 (69.2%)	50 (22.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (7.5%)	6	984^th of 1015 public elementary schools	3.1%		6.6	966^th of 1005 public elementary schools	3.9%	18	14.6	17.9	8.8	9.4		12.6	7.3	14.3	0.0	0.0		5.2	14.3	0.0	6.7	12.1	$18,720	$1,164	$17,557
Eliza Baker School 55 - a Butler Lab Reggio Emilia School	Public	PK, KG-8	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%)	39.4	623^rd of 1015 public elementary schools	38.6%		48.1	538^th of 1005 public elementary schools	46.5%	85	37.5	33.9	43.2			37.8	39.6	37.5	36.4			37.8	26.8		26.8	40.9	$17,498	$3,201	$14,298
KIPP Indy Unite Elementary	Public, Charter	K-5	1740 E 30th St	Indianapolis	46218	Marion County	KIPP Indy Unite Elementary	Yes	No	No	Yes	(317) 547-5477	721	34	21.2	—	15 (2.1%)	523 (72.5%)	158 (21.9%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (3.2%)	12	902^nd of 1015 public elementary schools	11.1%		8.1	951^st of 1005 public elementary schools	5.4%	49	8.7	21.9	20.6			15.9	16.8	33.3	19.6			22.2	13.5		13.5	12.2	$15,656	$4,123	$11,532

Frequently Asked Questions about James Whitcomb Riley School 43

How many students attend James Whitcomb Riley School 43?

In the 2024-25 school year, 240 students attended James Whitcomb Riley School 43.

Is James Whitcomb Riley School 43 a good school?

James Whitcomb Riley School 43 ranks in the bottom 0.4% of Indiana elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of James Whitcomb Riley School 43 attend?

Students who attend James Whitcomb Riley School 43 usually go on to attend:

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

What is the racial makeup of James Whitcomb Riley School 43?

Students at James Whitcomb Riley School 43 are 74% African American, 11% Two or more races, 9% Hispanic, 5% White, 2% Asian.

What district is James Whitcomb Riley School 43 in?

Indianapolis Public Schools

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Latest Indiana data All new data »

2025–26 ILEARN & SAT test scoresSep 25, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 5, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataSep 4, 2025

2022–23 through 2023–24 school spending dataJul 16, 2025

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.