Summary
Deer Run Elementary is a K–5 school at 5401 N High School Rd in Indianapolis, serving 616 students as part of MSD Pike Township. For 2025–2026, Deer Run ranks 869th of 1,015 Indiana elementary schools (14th percentile, 1 star), placing it last among its same-district Pike elementary peers: Eagle Creek Elementary School (625th, 2 stars), Guion Creek Elementary School (649th, 2 stars), Central Elementary School (810th), and Snacks Crossing Elementary School (861st). The school has moved up slowly over time, from 953rd (7th percentile) in 2021–2022 to its current position, but it remains a 1-star school and well below its 2017–2018 mark of 777th. It serves a high-need population: the most recent available free/reduced-lunch rate is 71.8% (2023–2024), higher than every Pike peer's 2024–2025 figure, with per-student spending of $13,900 in 2023–2024.
Academically, results are low across the board. On 2025–2026 ILEARN results, Deer Run's proficiency is 18.57% in ELA (district 28.25%), 20% in math (district 23%), and 16.16% in science (district 23.34%) — the lowest ELA and science rates among Pike peers. Early grades show the biggest gaps: 3rd grade ELA is 10.47%, versus 27.41% for the district and 40.8% statewide, and 3rd grade math is 15.12%, versus 51.9% statewide. Social studies is the standout relative strength at 30.53%, essentially matching the district's 30.61% and above most nearby schools except Guion Creek.
Two clear strengths stand out. Chronic absenteeism is 8.4%, far below the district's 19.5% and the state's 16.7%, and the lowest among all nearby schools — down sharply from 25.9% in 2020–2021. The student-teacher ratio of 15.7 is also the lowest among Pike elementary peers. Recent trends are mixed but encouraging in places: math rose from 15.13% to 20% year-over-year, science from 10.2% to 16.16%, and 5th grade social studies from 12.37% to 30.53%, while ELA slipped slightly from 20.72% to 18.57%. The main takeaway: attendance and class size are solid foundations that haven't yet translated into achievement, making 3rd grade ELA and math the most important areas to watch.
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