Ben Davis High School

Set in Indianapolis, Indiana, Ben Davis High School is a sizable high school, part of MSD Wayne Township. It caters to 3,315 students across grades 10 through 12. Enrollment runs roughly 306% above the state mean of about 816.

MSD Wayne Township comprises 17 schools with combined enrollment of 16,094 students; Ben Davis High School is among them.

On demographics, Ben Davis High School shows that the largest single group is Black at 39%, but no single group is in the majority. Beyond that, the school reports 37% Hispanic, 18% White, 5% multiracial. By comparison, Marion County as a whole is about 27% Black, so the school skews noticeably more Black than its surroundings.

Looking at the economic backdrop, On paper, Ben Davis High School has 180 full-time-equivalent teachers, translating to a class-load average of around 18.4:1. The state averages around 16.6:1, so this campus is higher than the state norm typical. Roughly 69% of students at Ben Davis High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, often used as a Title I proxy. Set against Marion County (around 60%), the school's rate is somewhat above typical.

In the broader community, the surrounding county (Marion County) records that median household income runs about $66,346, about 35% of the adult population holds a bachelor's degree or above, and roughly 12% of residents live below the federal poverty line. In all, Marion County runs 274 public schools (combined enrollment of about 161,456 students), of which Ben Davis High School is one.

The closest other public school is Ben Davis Ninth Grade Center, roughly 0.1 miles away. 8 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius.

Geographically, the school is in an urban area.

Trend over the last 7 years. Ben Davis High School's enrollment has increased 4% since 2018, when it stood at 3,195 (now 3,315). White enrollment moved from 31% to 18% across the same window. Class-load math has loosened: from 16.6:1 in 2018 to 18.4:1 in 2025.

On the community side, recent activity here tends to focus on classroom updates, athletics, and weather closures. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.