Ben Davis High School is a three-year high school in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Serving 3,274 students in grades 10-12, Ben Davis High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Indiana for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 13% (which is lower than the Indiana state average of 38%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 29% (which is lower than the Indiana state average of 41%).
The student:teacher ratio of 18:1 is higher than the Indiana state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 81% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Indiana state average of 37% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 10-12
- Enrollment: 3,274 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 18:1
- Minority Enrollment: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 79% (Btm 50% in IN)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 13% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 29% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 6-9% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IN Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Ben Davis High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Indiana for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
School Overview
Ben Davis High School's student population of 3,274 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 180 teachers has declined by 6% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 10-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
3,274 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
180 teachers
Year Founded
1892
School Rankings
Ben Davis High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,763 schools in Indiana (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Ben Davis High School is 0.69, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.56. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1472 out of 1763 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
13%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
29%
41%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
6-9%
34%
Student : Teacher Ratio
18:1
15:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
1%
3%
Hispanic
36%
15%
Black
39%
13%
White
19%
63%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
5%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
79%
88%
Eligible for Free Lunch
62%
43%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
6%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IN Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ben Davis High School's ranking?
Ben Davis High School is ranked #1472 out of 1,763 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Indiana.
What schools are Ben Davis High School often compared to?
Ben Davis High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Pike High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
13% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 38% IN state average), while 29% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 41% IN state average).
What is the graduation rate of Ben Davis High School?
The graduation rate of Ben Davis High School is 79%, which is lower than the Indiana state average of 88%.
How many students attend Ben Davis High School?
3,274 students attend Ben Davis High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
39% of Ben Davis High School students are Black, 36% of students are Hispanic, 19% of students are White, 5% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Ben Davis High School?
Ben Davis High School has a student ration of 18:1, which is higher than the Indiana state average of 15:1.
What grades does Ben Davis High School offer ?
Ben Davis High School offers enrollment in grades 10-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Ben Davis High School part of?
Ben Davis High School is part of MSD Wayne Township School District.
In what neighborhood is Ben Davis High School located?
Ben Davis High School is located in the Chapel Hill And Ben Davis neighborhood of Indianapolis, IN. There are 7 other public schools located in Chapel Hill And Ben Davis.
School Reviews
5 7/1/2019
Our choice to enroll our kids at Ben Davis came after researching the AP/Honors courses available compared to other private high schools in the area. We knew the rich AP course offerings (20+ classes) coupled with the diverse student body were perfect for our family. And the decision has proven fruitful! Our kids were able to take advantage of the great academics, theatre/music programs, and strong athletic teams. Most importantly, our children experienced an environment where students from all socioeconomic statuses, ethnicities, religions, and experiences came together. We wanted our children to have a real world school experience, not one where they were placed in a homogenous bubble of students. Ben Davis was just that and prepared our children to go into their universities and careers with the ability to move through and feel comfortable in different spaces and communities with ease. This is the foundation to empathy and understanding that we need in this world.
5 2/22/2014
i love BEN DAVIS HIGH SCHOOL CAUSE ITS THE ONLY SCHOOL I KNOW WHO HELPS CHILREN EARN THIER CREDITS EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE IN NIGHT SCHOOL AND HAVE THE SAME RESPECT AS IF THEY WERE IN DAY SCHOOL
Review Ben Davis High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
