Enrollment
1,000
Indiana · 2024-25 NCES data
Middle school (grades 6-8) · Indianapolis, IN
Decatur Middle School
Federal NCES profile for Decatur Middle School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 35/100.
2024-25 NCES dataMiddle school (grades 6-8)NCES 180264000313
👥 S:T ratio 38
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 33
📋 Attendance 0
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Decatur Middle School earns 35/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the Indiana median. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Indiana schools.
- #11 of 22
- middle schools in Indianapolis · Resource Index
- 35
- Resource Index · Typical
- 15.6:1
- students per teacher
- 69.4%
- free-lunch eligible
Decatur Middle School has class sizes near the Indiana median. Computed live against every Indiana school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Decatur Middle School ranks #11 of 22 middle schools in Indianapolis, IN.
School address
District: Msd Decatur Township · Indiana
NCES ID 180264000313 Verify on NCES CCD record →
Teachers (FTE)
64.0
Federal CCD staff survey
Students per teacher
15.6:1
vs 15.9:1 Indiana avg
-2% vs state
Free-lunch eligible
69.4%
vs 49.5% Indiana avg
+40% vs state
Student-teacher ratio in context
How Decatur Middle School compares with Indiana and U.S. medians
What stands out at Decatur Middle School
Decatur Middle School is a higher-need, large middle school in Indianapolis, Indiana, enrolling 1,000 students.
At 15.6:1, its student-teacher ratio sits close to the Indiana median, within a few percentage points of the 15.9:1 state norm, neither notably crowded nor notably small.
Economic need runs somewhat above the state's typical profile, with 69.4% of students eligible for free meals.
By headcount it is one of the larger campuses in Indiana, bigger than 92% of state schools at 1,000 students.
Its Resource Investment Index lands in the lower third of 1,862 scored Indiana schools.
Against 131 statewide peers matched on enrollment and economic need, it ranks mid-pack at #85.
Its student body is led by White (47%) and African American (30%), more mixed than most schools in the state (diversity index 66/100).
Counselor availability sits well past the ASCA benchmark, roughly 333 students sharing each counselor, though short of the most stretched campuses.
Chronic absenteeism is elevated: 44.1% of students missed 10% or more of school days (2021-22 Civil Rights Data Collection).
Discipline events run high: 293 in- and out-of-school suspensions were reported for 1,000 students in the 2021-22 Civil Rights Data Collection.
The federal civil-rights collection also records 12 expulsions at this campus for 2021-22.
Among Indianapolis's middle schools, it stands alongside Franklin Central Junior High (1,797 students): Decatur Middle School is smaller than that campus by headcount and runs leaner classes (15.6:1 vs 21.4:1).
Msd Decatur Township also operates Decatur Central High School (1,974 students) and Blue Academy (687 students) alongside Decatur Middle School.
Sourced from NCES CCD, CRDC, and F-33 (federal records, not a quality verdict). How we source and compute this.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics Common Core of Data + CRDC + F-33 · 2024-25
How Decatur Middle School compares
Decatur Middle School on the metrics families compare, against Indiana and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Indiana | Indiana avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 15.6:1 | ▼ 2% | 15.9:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 69.4% | ▲ 40% | 49.5% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 1,000 | top 8% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
15.6:1
Leaner classes than 41% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
1,000
Bigger than 91% of US schools by enrollment, a large campus nationally.
Equity indicators (what these measure)
Economic need
69.4%
free-lunch eligible
- 40% above the Indiana average of 49.5%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
15.6:1
students per teacher
- 2% below state mean
Top 54% in Indiana - lower ratio than 46% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
44.1%
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
$12,052
per pupil, district-wide
- below Indiana avg of $12,079
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors3.0 FTE
Per 333 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 293 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 29.3 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection. Includes 12 expulsions.
Overview
- Common Core of Data (June 2026): enrollment, staffing, and the student-teacher ratio above.
- Civil Rights Data Collection: discipline counts and program access (AP, gifted, special education).
- F-33 School District Finance Survey: the district-wide per-pupil spending figures below.
Three separate federal collections, each on its own reporting cadence - which is why this school's numbers line up on a consistent basis against every other school and state on this site, rather than mixing figures pulled from different survey years.
Student demographics
White 46.6%
African American 29.8%
Hispanic or Latino 16.5%
Two or More 6.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.5%
Asian 0.3%
Largest group: White at 46.6% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 66.3/100
Simpson diversity index - at 66.3, Decatur Middle School is more mixed than the Indiana school average of 39.0.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
Funding & spending
District-wide per-pupil expenditure for Msd Decatur Township, which includes Decatur Middle School.
$12,052
Per student
0%
vs Indiana
Avg $12,079
-27%
vs U.S.
Avg $16,593
Revenue mix
Local 30.4%
State 57.1%
Federal 12.5%
Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey District-level finance · FY 2021-22 Per-pupil expenditure reflects the district-wide average. Individual school budgets are not reported at the federal level.
How Decatur Middle School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur Central High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Blue Academy | Smaller | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Lynwood Elementary | Smaller | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| West Newton Elementary School | Smaller | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Valley Mills Elementary School | Smaller | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Decatur Middle School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,974
- Students per teacher
- 15.8:1
- Resource Index
- 32/100
- Enrollment
- 687
- Students per teacher
- 16.4:1
- Resource Index
- 49/100
- Enrollment
- 583
- Students per teacher
- 14.6:1
- Resource Index
- 28/100
- Enrollment
- 559
- Students per teacher
- 15.5:1
- Resource Index
- 61/100
- Enrollment
- 554
- Students per teacher
- 14.2:1
- Resource Index
- 38/100
Similar middle schools in Indianapolis
6 comparable middle schools (grades 6-8) serving the same city.
Franklin Central Junior High
Standard public school
1,797 students 21.4:1 students per teacher
Fall Creek Valley Middle School
Standard public school
1,355 students 21.2:1 students per teacher
Southport Middle School
Standard public school
1,304 students 17.9:1 students per teacher
Perry Meridian Middle School
Standard public school
1,278 students 16:1 students per teacher
Chapel Hill 7th & 8th Grade Center
Standard public school
1,143 students 16.1:1 students per teacher
Lynhurst 7th & 8th Grade Center
Standard public school
1,135 students 14.2:1 students per teacher
Similar middle schools statewide
Matched by enrollment size and by staffing ratio across all of Indiana, not just this city - a different peer set than the local comparisons above.
Similar enrollment (~1,000 students)
Next steps
Verify locally before acting on Decatur Middle School's federal record.
- Compare Decatur Middle School against another school. Compare schools
- Msd Decatur Township's spending and staffing shape this school. District profile
- Confirm current enrollment and boundaries with the school. Choosing guide
Federal record (CCD 2024-25, CRDC 2021-22) - PlainSchools assigns no subjective rating; the composite quality score is a transparent, reproducible index computed from this cited federal data.
Frequently asked questions about Decatur Middle School
How many students attend Decatur Middle School?
Decatur Middle School has 1,000 students enrolled. It is a middle school in Indianapolis, IN.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Decatur Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Decatur Middle School is 15.6:1, which is 2% lower than the Indiana average of 15.9:1 and 1% 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 Decatur Middle School?
69.4% of students at Decatur Middle School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Indiana average of 49.5%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Decatur Middle School?
The largest demographic group at Decatur Middle School is White at 46.6% of enrollment, in Indianapolis, IN. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 66.3/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Decatur Middle School?
Decatur Middle School has a Resource Investment Index of 35/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, counselor availability, attendance rates. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Decatur Middle School rank among middle schools in Indianapolis?
By Resource Investment Index, Decatur Middle School ranks #11 of 22 middle schools in Indianapolis, IN. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all middle schools in Indianapolis on the city page.
Is Decatur Middle School a good school?
Decatur Middle School earns 35/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the Indiana median. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Indiana schools. This is a resource snapshot, not an academic rating; see the Resource Investment Index question above for what the number does and doesn't measure.
What other schools are in Msd Decatur Township?
Besides Decatur Middle School, Msd Decatur Township also operates Decatur Central High School (1,974 students), Blue Academy (687 students), and Lynwood Elementary (583 students). See the Msd Decatur Township district page for the complete list.
Related tools
Every figure on PlainSchools is rendered directly from the source NCES, CRDC and F-33 federal records, no number is typed in by an editor. Each school's figures reflect its most recent NCES/CRDC submission on file. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of June 2026.