- Arlington Middle School - a STEM School — 0.9 mi · Grades 6–8 · 365 students
- Thrival Academy — 0.9 mi · Grades 9–12
- Robert Lee Frost School 106 - a STEM School — 1.4 mi · Grades PK–5 · 308 students
- Charles Warren Fairbanks School 105 - an Exploratory School — 1.8 mi · Grades PK–5 · 398 students
- Sankofa School of Success at Arlington Woods School 99 — 2.3 mi · Grades PK–6 · 361 students
- Anna Brochhausen School 88 - a STEM School — 3.7 mi · Grades PK–5 · 326 students
- James Russell Lowell School 51 - a Montessori School — 4.0 mi · Grades PK–5 · 363 students
- Rousseau McClellan School 91 - a Montessori School — 4.1 mi · Grades PK–5 · 506 students
| Metric | Indianapolis Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 22,027 | 3,544 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 57 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $27,545/yr | $17,619/yr | ↑ 56% above avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 2/10 — Poor | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis Public Schools (this district) | 2/10 | 19th | 22,027 |
| Lawrence Township Metropolitan School District | 3/10 | 27th | 16,414 |
| Washington Township Metropolitan School District | 6/10 | 56th | 10,512 |
| Warren Township Metropolitan School District | 2/10 | 18th | 11,824 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 377 rated districts in IN → → 8/10.
Source: Indiana Dept. of Education ILEARN, grades 3–8 Corporation Total proficient, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Indianapolis Public Schools
Families in zip code 46226 (Indianapolis, Indiana) are assigned to Indianapolis Public Schools for public education through 12th. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Funding and Resources
Indianapolis Public Schools spent $27,545 per pupil in FY2024, well above the Indiana state average of $13,622 and well above the national average of $17,619 (US Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances). Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 57 schools serving grades Pre-K–12th, Indianapolis Public Schools qualifies as a very large district serving students from Pre-K–12th. The district enrolls approximately 22,027 students in total. Very large districts are complex systems with significant variation in school quality across attendance zones. They typically offer extensive programs — magnet schools, specialized high schools, dual-language tracks, advanced coursework — but navigating these options requires active engagement with the district.
Understanding the 2/10 Rating
With a rating of 2/10 (low-rated), Indianapolis Public Schools ranks among Indiana’s low-rated-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Indiana is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Indianapolis Public Schools holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in Indiana on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 46226
Children in zip code 46226 are assigned to Indianapolis Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 46226, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Indianapolis Public Schools at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Indiana districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Indianapolis
For families considering a purchase in the Indianapolis area, district assignment matters financially. Because Indianapolis Public Schools serves zip code 46226, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 46226. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Indiana, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Indianapolis Public Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 46226.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Indianapolis Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 46226 data.