Sheridan Middle School

Sheridan Middle School in Sheridan, IN, a small town north of Indianapolis, is the only middle school in Sheridan Community Schools, serving 270 students in grades 6–8. For 2025‑26 it ranks 222nd of 486 Indiana middle schools — 54th percentile, 3 stars — down from its 2022‑23 peak of 139th of 489 (72nd percentile, 4 stars), though still far above its 30th‑percentile, 2‑star showing in 2015‑16.

Compared with nearby schools such as Creekside Middle School, Carmel Middle School, Zionsville Middle School, Noblesville East Middle School, Hamilton Heights Middle School and Tipton Middle School, Sheridan has by far the highest share of students from low‑income families (60.37% free/reduced lunch, versus a peer average of about 21.7%), the lowest per‑pupil spending ($9,719, while peers average roughly $11,655), and the smallest classes (11:1, the best ratio in the group). Even so, its English/language arts (41.76%) and science (45.98%) results are broadly in line with state middle‑grade norms, and its 6th graders score above state averages in both. Math is the clear outlier: at 26.82%, it is the lowest of any school compared and nearly 9 points below the district's own 35.49%.

Math proficiency has fallen every year for four years (36.14 → 33.09 → 28.74 → 26.82) and every grade: 6th graders score 36.78%, 7th graders 23.46%, and 8th graders 20.43% — a 16.4‑point slide inside the building. Chronic absenteeism has also climbed sharply, from 2.0% in 2021‑22 to 15.9%, but the district moved in step, suggesting a system‑wide change rather than a middle‑school issue. Bottom line: this is a small, high‑poverty, low‑funding school where reading and science are holding near state norms and 6th grade starts strong, while math slips year after year and grade after grade — making middle‑grades math the most important question to ask.