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Mary Nicholson School 70 Center for Inquiry

Q: Is Mary Nicholson School 70 Center for Inquiry a good school?

Mary Nicholson School 70 Center for Inquiry ranks 167 th of 1005 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

167^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,005 Indiana Elementary Schools

Better than 83% of Indiana elementary schools

Summary

Center for Inquiry School 70 is a public elementary school in Indianapolis, Indiana that serves grades K-8 and has 454 students. The school consistently outperforms the Indianapolis Public Schools district and the state of Indiana on standardized tests, with 57.86% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and 63.52% proficient or better in math, compared to just 20.83% and 20.99% for the district, respectively.

Center for Inquiry School 70 has a strong statewide ranking, placing in the top 20% of Indiana elementary schools in recent years. The school has also maintained lower chronic absenteeism rates compared to the district, at 17.8% versus 33.8% in 2023-2024. Additionally, the school has a relatively low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, at around 24% in recent years, which is lower than many nearby schools.

When comparing Center for Inquiry School 70 to other nearby schools, such as IPS/Butler Lab at William Bell 60 and James Whitcomb Riley School 43, it is clear that Center for Inquiry School 70 stands out in terms of academic performance and overall school quality. The success of this school could serve as a model for other schools in the Indianapolis Public Schools district or even across the state.

351

Students ?

14.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,855

Per pupil spending ?

21.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

510 East 46th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46205

(317) 226-4270

District: Indianapolis Public Schools

Students who attend Mary Nicholson School 70 Center for Inquiry 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:

White:

65.2%

African American:

15.1%

Hispanic:

10.0%

See top rated Indiana elementary schools

Compare Mary Nicholson School 70 Center for Inquiry to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 35th percentile in 2019 → 83rd in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Indiana average (58% vs 38% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 17% of Indiana elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 48 percentile points since 2019

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school58%

District avg21%

Indiana avg38%

167^th of 1,005

Indiana public elementary schools ?

Top 17%▲ up 49 pts since 2019

From bottom 35% (2019) to top 17% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Indiana Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 34Elementary Schools in the Indianapolis Public Schools

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	81.4	167 of 1005	83.4%	★★★★☆
2024	70.3	296 of 1011	70.7%	★★★★☆
2023	80.5	178 of 1016	82.5%	★★★★☆
2022	84.3	128 of 1020	87.5%	★★★★☆
2021	71.7	280 of 1016	72.4%	★★★★☆
2019	40.9	674 of 1031	34.6%	★★☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Indiana percentile	Rating
2024	76.8	101 of 491	79.4%	★★★★☆
2023	80.3	79 of 489	83.8%	★★★★☆
2022	73.8	116 of 490	76.3%	★★★★☆
2021	57.2	194 of 483	59.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	43.9	281 of 470	40.2%	★★☆☆☆

By subject vs Indiana (2024-2025) ?

Math64%

English Language Arts58%

Science55%

Social Studies46%+8 vs state

★

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Schools Near Mary Nicholson School 70 Center for Inquiry

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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 (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
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
James Whitcomb Riley School 43	Public	PK, KG-5	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%)	3.5	1001^st of 1005 public elementary schools	0.4%		4.8	1000^th of 1011 public elementary schools	1.1%	1	0.0	5.3	9.7		5.3	8.0	0.0	6.3		4.2	5.1		5.1	3.1	$20,942	$3,330	$17,611
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
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
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
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
Louis B Russell Junior School 48	Public, Charter	PK, KG-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%)	11.6	901^st of 1005 public elementary schools	10.3%		12.2	906^th of 1011 public elementary schools	10.4%	5	13.9	3.2	13.6	28.0	14.0	22.2	19.4	22.7	16.0	20.2	6.5	20.0	12.5	0.0	$23,612	$6,251	$17,361
William Bell School 60 - a Butler Lab Reggio Emilia School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	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%)	17.3	841^st of 1005 public elementary schools	16.3%		21.2	801^st of 1011 public elementary schools	20.8%	40	14.7	21.0	28.6		21.2	22.1	21.0	28.6		23.8	21.0		21.0	14.3	$17,115	$3,120	$13,995
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
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%)	69.7	292^nd of 1005 public elementary schools	70.9%		69.6	303^rd of 1011 public elementary schools	70.0%	11	51.4	46.9	32.7	62.0	48.7	71.6	67.4	42.9	36.0	56.3	63.3	40.0	51.5	32.7	$12,676	$1,438	$11,238

Frequently Asked Questions about Mary Nicholson School 70 Center for Inquiry

What is the racial makeup of Mary Nicholson School 70 Center for Inquiry?

Students at Mary Nicholson School 70 Center for Inquiry are 65% White, 15% African American, 10% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

How many students attend Mary Nicholson School 70 Center for Inquiry?

In the 2024-25 school year, 351 students attended Mary Nicholson School 70 Center for Inquiry.

What district is Mary Nicholson School 70 Center for Inquiry in?

Indianapolis Public Schools

What schools do graduates of Mary Nicholson School 70 Center for Inquiry attend?

Students who attend Mary Nicholson School 70 Center for Inquiry 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

Is Mary Nicholson School 70 Center for Inquiry a good school?

Mary Nicholson School 70 Center for Inquiry ranks 167^th of 1005 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Rate Mary Nicholson School 70 Center for Inquiry!

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Latest Indiana data All new data »

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 5, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataSep 4, 2025

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

2024–25 ILEARN & SAT test scoresJul 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.