Ben Davis High School is a three-year high school in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Serving 3,315 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 9% (which is lower than the Indiana state average of 39%). 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 82% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Indiana state average of 38% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 10-12
- Enrollment: 3,315 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1
- Minority Enrollment: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 89% (Btm 50% in IN)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 9% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 29% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 6-9% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Ben Davis High School's attendance zone covers the entire school district in Indianapolis, IN, encompassing approximately 34.1 square miles. The typical drive to the school is between 5 to 10 minutes, with the furthest edge of the zone reaching up to 6.5 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IN Dept. of Education
School Overview
Ben Davis High School's student population of 3,315 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 180 teachers has declined by 16% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 10-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
3,315 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
180 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1992
School Rankings
Ben Davis High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,743 schools in Indiana (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Ben Davis High School is 0.68, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.57. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1502 out of 1743 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
9%
39%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
29%
41%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
6-9%
34%
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
37%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Black
39%
14%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
White
18%
62%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
6%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
89%
88.1%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)34.1%
23.7%
Eligible for Free Lunch
64%
42%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
6%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Purple and White
School Mascot
Giants
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IN Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ben Davis High School's ranking?
Ben Davis High School is ranked #1502 out of 1,743 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?
9% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 39% 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 89%, which is higher than the Indiana state average of 88.1%.
How many students attend Ben Davis High School?
3,315 students attend Ben Davis High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
39% of Ben Davis High School students are Black, 37% of students are Hispanic, 18% of students are White, and 6% of students are Two or more races.
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 10/10/2025
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
5 10/10/2025
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.
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
How Much Choice Do High School Students Have?
Learn how graduation requirements, prerequisites, electives, staffing, scheduling conflicts, AP courses, dual enrollment, and career pathways determine how much control high school students have over schedules each year.
Does Your Child Need More Recess?
Explore whether your child may benefit more from recess than another academic period, including research on attention, learning, physical activity, stress, social development, and school-day balance today.
Combined Grade Classrooms, What Parents Should Know
Learn how combined-grade classrooms work, why public schools use them, potential benefits and challenges, and the questions parents should ask before enrolling their child in one today.
