The top reported proficiency rate is 25% in Social studies. The lowest is 12% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School
James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School is a small Indiana district that serves only seventh and eighth graders. The data available gives a clear picture of a school facing serious challenges in academic performance, though with some encouraging signs in student engagement and spending.
Academically, the school’s state test results are low. In math, roughly one in eight students scored proficient or above on the ILEARN assessment, and in English language arts, about one in seven students met that bar. These figures place it below many other schools in Indiana. The most recent social studies data is from several years ago, making it difficult to assess current performance in that subject. A parent considering this school should look closely at how the school supports students who are not yet at grade level and ask about specific interventions in math and reading.
The student body is racially and ethnically diverse, with a large majority of Black students, a substantial Hispanic population, and relatively few white students. The school has an enrollment that is modest for its grade band. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported, so a parent with a child in one of those groups would need to ask the school directly about the resources and staffing available.
There is a clear positive in the school’s environment. The chronic absenteeism rate is in the top quarter among Marion County’s districts, meaning students are showing up to school more regularly than at many other schools in the county. This is a concrete strength that suggests a functioning school culture and engagement. The per-pupil spending is in the upper half of the county’s range, indicating that the school is investing a meaningful amount into its operations, though without a breakdown of where that money goes, a parent would want to ask how funds are allocated to instruction, support services, and facilities.
The school is a single-building district, with no other schools under its umbrella. This means its middle school is the whole focus, for better or worse. There is no high school, so families will need to plan ahead for where their child will attend after eighth grade. The local context for the community was not provided in the data, so there is no information on the housing market or the town’s character. A parent should look into the broader Indianapolis area to understand transportation, safety, and after-school options.
The district brief found no recent parent-relevant changes, like budget decisions or policy shifts, that would affect a family’s decision. This is a stable if under-reported picture. The school’s website was not part of the provided material, so a parent should visit the school and speak with staff to fill in gaps around curriculum, elective offerings, and the specific academic support systems in place.
For a family, this school offers a small, focused middle school setting where attendance is a relative bright spot. The main concern is the low state test scores, which a family would need to investigate directly with the school leadership to understand how the school is working to improve outcomes and whether it is the right fit for their child’s learning needs.
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