So you’re moving to Indianapolis, Indiana. . .
Do the suburbs of Indianapolis offer good elementary schools?
At SchoolSparrow we believe the answer to this question is an emphatic YES!
Indianapolis, also known as Indy, is America’s fourth most highly populated capital city, right behind Phoenix (AZ), Austin (TX), and Columbus (OH). It’s home to an iconic automobile race called the Indianapolis 500 that happens every year on Memorial Day weekend, bringing in around 400,000 people.
Seeing how big Indianapolis is, finding the right school for your family in the Indianapolis suburbs can be tough, and if you rely on the popular school rankings that you see on the real estate search portals, then beware because it’s a little known fact that those scores generally push people to the wealthiest neighborhoods and schools with very little diversity.
But SchoolSparrow is here to help. We’ve created our own rankings that factor in socioeconomic data, and as a result, our rankings illuminate great schools in urban areas, many of which have a vibrant diverse student body from many different backgrounds.
The SchoolSparrow Method
Here at SchoolSparrow, we’ve ranked the top schools in Indianapolis suburbs by normalizing test scores for parent income. This means schools are ranked based on how they perform compared to their expected scores (which take parent income into account) rather than raw standardized test scores.
Our mission at SchoolSparrow is to empower families with an equitable school ranking system that illuminates schools of color, instead of pushing families towards privileged schools in unaffordable areas. We believe a “good school” shouldn’t be based on how “rich” a neighborhood is or by straight test scores.
Soon we will launch a social media campaign aimed at bringing equitable school rankings to all parents in the US. If you support our mission, then please sign up below, or follow us on facebook or twitter so we can let you know when we’ve launched our campaign.
The schools you’ll find on this list are the top 10 best elementary schools in the suburbs of Indianapolis that are often overlooked due to unfair low scores on other ranking systems. These schools should definitely be considered!
But without a doubt, please remember the best way to determine if the school is the right fit for your family is to tour the school.
Just for Reference
The test scores referenced below are the percentage of kids who meet or exceed state standards on the Reading/Language Arts (RLA) section of the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) standardized tests in Indianapolis. And please note, sometimes the scores reported to the NCES are actually from the state assessments.
Congratulations to the students, parents, and especially the educators who are making a difference at these high quality Indianapolis area schools!
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1. James A Allison Elementary School 3 – Speedway, IN
Indianapolis is the state capital and most populous city in Indiana. According to the 2019 US Census Bureau, the population of Indy was 886,220. Speedway is a Town of about 12,000 residents, and is actually within the borders of Indianapolis.
James A Allison Elementary earns a whooping 30 out 40 for their diversity score – the second highest score possible! That means this school has a great deal of varying cultures!
Schools located in the Indianapolis area with similar economic profiles score an average of 38.4 points, meaning 38% of students meet or exceed state standards on standardized tests.
James A Allison Elementary exceeds this expectation by 35% and earns a total of 52 points, making it one of the best schools in the Indy suburbs!
Greatschools rates James A Allison Elementary 5/10, but this school deserves a higher score. SchoolSparrow awards James A Allison an A (10/10) for their amazing job at educating their students!
Moving to Indianapolis? The median home value is $143,445. Look at this listing for a nice 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom house! It’s walking distance from the school!
Address: 5240 W 22nd St, Indianapolis, IN 46224
Website: https://www.speedwayschools.org/Domain/381
2. Frank H Wheeler Elementary School 4 – Speedway, IN
Here’s another school located near James A Allison! Is diversity a big thing for your kids? Well, this elementary school earns a perfect 40 out of 40 diversity score! The cognitive benefits for students in a diverse environment is well documented, and there is no doubt that Wheeler Elementary delivers in this department.
Frank H Wheeler Elementary is another outstanding school where students excel in their exams! For Indy schools with similar economic profiles earn an average of 33.7 points. That means 34% of students exceed or meet the state standards for standardized tests.
Nevertheless, students at Frank H Wheeler Elementary exceed this average by 40%! Overall, they earned a total of 47 points!
Due to their achievements, SchoolSparrow awards Frank H Wheeler an A (10/10) while Greatschools unfairly grants them a 6/10. Parents, Wheeler Elementary should be on your shortlist if you are considering a move to the Indianapolis Area.
Considering this school? The median home value is $143,445. Check out this 4BD/3BA listing! This is another house that’s walking distance from the school!
Address: 5700 Meadowood Drive, Speedway, IN 46224
Website: https://www.speedwayschools.org/Domain/637
3. Carl G Fisher Elementary School 1 – Speedway, IN
Here’s yet another school that serves Speedway! It earns a respectable 10 out of 40 in diversity, so it’s still a pretty diverse school!
Indianapolis schools with similar economic profiles score an average of 49.1 points, which means 49% meet or exceed state standards on standardized tests.
On the other hand, Carl G Fisher Elementary excels in that aspect with 26% of their students exceeding or meeting this expectation! All in all, the school scores 62 points!
Since the school is doing so well, SchoolSparrow awards Carl G Fisher Elementary with a rating of an A- (9/10) while Greatschools only scores them a 6/10.
The median home price is $143,445.
Address: 5151 W 14th St, Indianapolis, IN 46224
Website: https://www.speedwayschools.org/Domain/471
4. Southwestern Elementary School – Shelbyville, IN
Shelbyville is a city located in Addison Township. The city has a humid continental climate, meaning it experiences the four distinct seasons. If you’re a fan of Marvel, the fictional character, James “Bucky” Barnes was born in Shelbyville!
How do students do on test scores?
Well, Indianapolis area schools with similar economic profiles score an average of 51.0 points, meaning 51% meet or exceed the state standards on standardized tests.
Nonetheless, students at Southwestern Elementary School exceed this expectation by 22%, earning a total of 62 points!
For going above and beyond, SchoolSparrow ranks Southwestern Elementary School with a rating of an A- (9/10)! Meanwhile, Greatschools unfairly rates it a 6/10.
The median home value in Shelbyville is $125,450. Here’s a listing of a cute 3BD house currently listed for only $94,900!
Address: 3406 West 600 South, Shelbyville, IN 46176
Website: http://www.swshelby.k12.in.us/
5. Maple Elementary School – Avon, IN
Avon is a town in Washington Township in Indiana with an estimated population of 18,706 back in 2019. It’s located 12.8 miles (roughly 25 minutes) from Mile Square, downtown Indianapolis.
Maple Elementary School earns a respectable score 20 out 40 for diversity — so expect an engaging mix of different cultures!
When it comes to standardized test performance, Maple Elementary students excel! Indianapolis area schools with similar economic profiles score an average of 49.6 points, so approximately 50% of students meet or exceed state standards.
At Maple Elementary, however, its students exceed this expectation by 15%! They actually score 57 points!
For their hard work and dedication, SchoolSparrow ranked it an B+ (9/10). Meanwhile, Greatschools gave it a 6/10 when it should be ranked higher!
Think this the place for you and your kids? The median home price is $246,474. Check out this 4BD/2BA house listed for $209,900. It’s only 10 minutes away from school!
Address: 7237 East US Highway 36, Avon, IN 46123
Website: https://www.avon-schools.org/maple
6. East Side Elementary School – Edinburgh, IN
Edinburgh is a town in Bartholomew, Johnson, and Shelby counties. It’s home to Camp Atterbury, a National Guard training facility. Edinburgh is located 33.4 miles (approximately 34 minutes) from Mile Square.
East Side Elementary School earns a diversity score of 10 out 40, so the school has at least two different races that represent at least 10% of the student body.
How do they do on standardized tests?
Well, students at East Side Elementary excel at them! Indiana schools with similar economic profiles score an average of 35.0 points, meaning 35% of students meet or exceed the state standard.
Meanwhile, kids at East Side Elementary exceed this expectation by 20%, earning a total of 42 points!
Due to their efforts, SchoolSparrow awards East Side Elementary with a rating of an B+ (9/10) while Greatschools only scores them a 4/10 when they should be ranked higher.
Interested in moving here? The median home value is $145,231. Check out this listing of a lovely 2 bedroom, 3 bathroom house for $139,500. It’s located 1 minute away from school by car!
Address: 810 East Main Cross Street, Edinburgh, IN 46124
Website: https://www.ecsc.k12.in.us
7. Break-O-Day Elementary School – New Whiteland, IN
New Whiteland is a small town located in Pleasant Township with a population of 6,377. It’s 19.2 miles (around 27 minutes) from Mile Square.
Schools located in the Indy area with similar economic profiles score an average of 43.3 points, meaning 43% of students exceed or meet state standards on standardized tests.
Even so, students at Break-O-Day Elementary School exceed this expectation by 16%! They received an overall score of 50 points.
Greatschools rates Break-O-Day Elementary 6/10, but this school deserves a much better score. SchoolSparrow awards Break-O-Day an B+ (9/10) for their amazing job at educating their students! Break-O-Day Elementary is also trending an upwards 85% from their previous year, meaning the difference between their actual scores and the average score for schools with a similar economic profile increased a great deal from the 2017-18 school year to the 2018-19 school year.
Looking for a home near Break-O-Day Elementary? The median home value is $169,718. Look at this charming 3 bedroom house currently listed at $145,000. It’s only 2 minutes away from school by car!
Address: 900 Sawmill Road, New Whiteland, IN 46184
Website: https://www.cpcsc.k12.in.us/o/bes
8. Brooklyn STEM Academy – Mooresville, IN
Mooresville is a town in Brown Township with a population of 9,802 people. It’s 23.2 miles (about 35 minutes) from Mile Square.
Brooklyn STEM Academy excels in test scores. Other schools in Indianapolis with similar economic profiles score an average of 42.1 points, meaning 42% of their students meet or exceed state standards on standardized tests.
At Brooklyn STEM Academy, students exceed this expectation by 12%! Overall, the school scored 47 points, meaning this one of the best elementary schools in the Indianapolis suburbs!
SchoolSparrow awards Brooklyn STEM Academy an B (8/10), while Greatschools unfairly assigns this school a 5/10.
Special shoutout to the 3rd graders for individually scoring an A+!
Interested in buying a house near Brooklyn STEM Academy? The median home value is $209,915. Check out this beautiful 3 bedroom house currently listed at $139,900. It’s located 1 minute away from school by car!
Address: 251 North Church Street, Mooresville, IN 46158
Website: https://www.msdofmartinsville.org/brooklyn-elementary-stem-academy/
9. Charles L Smith Elementary School – Martinsville, IN
Martinsville is a city in Washington Township with an estimated population of 11,632. It’s home to an array of different businesses and a number of locally owned restaurants, bakeries, and shops. The town leaders have also approved anti-discrimination laws to protect people of the LGBTQ community.
Indianapolis area schools with similar economic profiles score an average of 42.4 points, meaning 42% exceed or meet state standards on standardized tests.
On the other hand, Charles L Smith Elementary excels in that aspect with 11% of their students exceeding or meeting this expectation! Overall, the school scores 47 points!
Since the school is doing so well, SchoolSparrow awards Charles L Smith Elementary with a rating of an B (8/10) while Greatschools only scores them a 5/10.
Martinsville has a median home price of $189,406. Check out a listing of this homey-looking house with 5 beds and 3 bathrooms for $175,000! It’s only a 5 minute drive from the school!
Address: 1359 East Columbus Street, Martinsville, IN 46151
Website: https://www.msdofmartinsville.org/charles-l-smith-fine-arts-academy/
10. North Elementary School – Noblesville, IN
Noblesville is a city and the county seat of Hamilton County with an estimated population of 64,668 back in 2019. It’s home to the Ruoff Music Center, an outdoor music venue and roughly 27.4 miles (36 minutes) from Mile Square.
Indianapolis area schools with similar economic profiles score an average of 54.8 points, meaning 55% meet or exceed the state standards on standardized tests.
Nonetheless, students at North Elementary exceed this expectation by 8%, earning a total of 59 points!
For going above and beyond, SchoolSparrow ranks North Elementary with a rating of an B (8/10)! Meanwhile, Greatschools only gives it a 6/10. North Elementary is also trending an upwards 48% from their previous year, meaning their scores are only improving!
The median home value in Noblesville is $237,620. Want to move here? Look at this listing of a nice-looking house with 3 beds and 1 bathroom for $189,000. One real nice thing about it is that it’s only 4 minutes away from North Elementary School by car!
Address: 440 North 10th Street, Noblesville, IN 46060
