- Enrollment
- 2,360
- Students per teacher
- 14.2:1
- Resource Index
- 39/100
Middle school (grades 6-8) · Columbus, IN
Central Middle School
Federal NCES profile for Central Middle School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 44/100.
2024-25 NCES dataMiddle school (grades 6-8)NCES 180036000063
👥 S:T ratio 44
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 21
📋 Attendance 41
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Central Middle School earns 44/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the Indiana median.
- #4 of 15
- public schools in Columbus · Resource Index
- 44
- Resource Index · Typical
- 14.1:1
- students per teacher
- 41.1%
- free-lunch eligible
Central Middle School has class sizes near the Indiana median. Computed live against every Indiana school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Central Middle School ranks #4 of 15 public schools in Columbus, IN.
School address
District: Bartholomew Con School Corp · Indiana
NCES ID 180036000063 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-37 students YoY
Central Middle School held near 822 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-37 headcount).
Teacher FTE lost 56.7 → 53.7 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
-37 students YoY 180036000063 · Columbus, IN Middle · MID · TRAD
790 enr · 14.1:1 · 41.1% lunch · RII 44
Nearest enrollment peer: Columbus North High School (2,360 students)
Central Middle School held near 822 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-37 headcount). Teacher FTE lost 56.7 → 53.7 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Indiana schools → · Find another →
Central Middle School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Columbus North
Columbus North High School
2,360 students
- Columbus East
Columbus East High School
1,452 students
- Northside Midd 908
Northside Middle School
908 students
- Southside Elem 891
Southside Elementary School
891 students
- This school 790
Central Middle School
790 students
- Parkside Eleme 733
Parkside Elementary School
733 students
What this shows Central Middle School reports 790 students on the CCD universe file.
How Central Middle School compares
Central Middle School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Indiana and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Indiana | Indiana avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 14.1:1 | ▼ 11% | 15.9:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 41.1% | ▼ 17% | 49.5% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 790 | top 14% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
14.1:1
Leaner classes than 56% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
790
Bigger than 85% of US schools by enrollment, a large campus nationally.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
41.1%
free-lunch eligible
- 17% below the Indiana average of 49.5%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
14.1:1
students per teacher
- 11% below state mean
Top 34% in Indiana - lower ratio than 66% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
23.8%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$13,277
per pupil, district-wide
- above Indiana avg of $12,921
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors2.0 FTE
Per 395 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
156
in-school suspensions + 61 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 19.7 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 27.5 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 63.5%
Hispanic or Latino 18.0%
Asian 10.3%
Two or More 4.9%
African American 3.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%
Largest group: White at 63.5% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 55.0/100
Simpson diversity index - at 55.0, Central Middle School is more mixed than the Indiana school average of 39.0.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Bartholomew Con School Corp reports $13,277 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Central Middle School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus North High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Columbus East High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Northside Middle School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Southside Elementary School | Similar size | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Parkside Elementary School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Central Middle School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,452
- Students per teacher
- 17.1:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
- Enrollment
- 908
- Students per teacher
- 15.9:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
- Enrollment
- 891
- Students per teacher
- 18.6:1
- Resource Index
- 42/100
- Enrollment
- 733
- Students per teacher
- 16.7:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
Similar middle schools in Columbus
1 comparable middle schools (grades 6-8) serving the same city.
Nationwide middle schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~790 students)
Similar student-teacher ratio (~14.1:1)
Frequently asked questions about Central Middle School
How many students attend Central Middle School?
Central Middle School has 790 students enrolled. It is a middle school in Columbus, IN. CCD year-over-year: 859 (2022-23) → 822 (2023-24), nearly flat (-37).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Middle School is 14.1:1, which is 11% lower than the Indiana average of 15.9:1 and 10% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Central Middle School?
41.1% of students at Central Middle School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Indiana average of 49.5%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Central Middle School?
The largest demographic group at Central Middle School is White at 63.5% of enrollment, in Columbus, IN. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 55.0/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Central Middle School?
Central Middle School has a Resource Investment Index of 44/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Central Middle School rank among public schools in Columbus?
By Resource Investment Index, Central Middle School ranks #4 of 15 public schools in Columbus, IN. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all public schools in Columbus on the city page.
What other schools are in Bartholomew Con School Corp?
Besides Central Middle School, Bartholomew Con School Corp also operates Columbus North High School (2,360 students), Columbus East High School (1,452 students), and Northside Middle School (908 students). See the Bartholomew Con School Corp district page for the complete list.