For the 2026 school year, there are 19 public schools serving 12,584 students in Bartholomew County, IN (there are 11 private schools, serving 1,860 private students). 87% of all K-12 students in Bartholomew County, IN are educated in public schools (compared to the IN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Bartholomew County, IN are Csa Lincoln Campus, Southside Elementary School and Rockcreek Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Bartholomew County, IN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the Indiana public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in Bartholomew County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Indiana public schools.
Minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Indiana public school average of 38% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Best Public Schools in Bartholomew County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Csa Lincoln Campus
(Math: 80% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
750 5th St
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-4447
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-4447
Gr: K-6 | 357 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #22.
Southside Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1320 W 200 S
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-4423
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-4423
Gr: PK-6 | 891 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #33.
Rockcreek Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
13000 E 200 S
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 579-5221
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 579-5221
Gr: PK-6 | 351 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #44.
Columbus North High School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1400 25th St
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-4432
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-4432
Gr: 9-12 | 2,360 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #55.
Parkside Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1400 Parkside Dr
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-4314
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-4314
Gr: PK-6 | 733 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #66.
Hope Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
9575 N Sr 9
Hope, IN 47246
(812) 546-5001
Hope, IN 47246
(812) 546-5001
Gr: K-6 | 547 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #77.
W D Richards Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3311 Fairlawn Dr
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-4311
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-4311
Gr: PK-6 | 610 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #88.
Columbus East High School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
230 S Marr Rd
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-4369
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-4369
Gr: 9-12 | 1,452 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #99.
Northside Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1400 27th St
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-4405
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-4405
Gr: 7-8 | 908 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1010.
Hauser Jr-sr High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
9273 N Sr 9
Hope, IN 47246
(812) 546-4421
Hope, IN 47246
(812) 546-4421
Gr: 7-12 | 435 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1111.
Central Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
725 7th St
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-4287
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-4287
Gr: 7-8 | 790 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1212.
L F Smith Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4505 Waycross Dr
Columbus, IN 47203
(812) 376-4317
Columbus, IN 47203
(812) 376-4317
Gr: PK-6 | 420 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1313.
Lillian Schmitt Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2675 California
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-4307
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-4307
Gr: PK-6 | 704 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1414.
Csa Fodrea Campus
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2775 Illinois St
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-4321
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-4321
Gr: PK-6 | 351 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #1515.
Clifty Creek Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4625 E 50 N
Columbus, IN 47203
(812) 376-4342
Columbus, IN 47203
(812) 376-4342
Gr: PK-6 | 705 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1616.
Mount Healthy Elementary School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
12150 S Sr 58
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 342-2463
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 342-2463
Gr: PK-6 | 365 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1717.
Taylorsville Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
9711 Walnut St
Taylorsville, IN 47280
(812) 526-5448
Taylorsville, IN 47280
(812) 526-5448
Gr: PK-6 | 580 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: n/an/a
Columbus Area Career Connection
Vocational School
1400 25th St
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-4240
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-4240
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
1209 S Sycamore St
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-4569
Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-4569
Gr: PK | 80 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Bartholomew County, IN?
The top-ranked public schools in Bartholomew County, IN include Csa Lincoln Campus, Southside Elementary School and Rockcreek Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Bartholomew County?
19 public schools are located in Bartholomew County.
What percentage of students in Bartholomew County go to public school?
87% of all K-12 students in Bartholomew County are educated in public schools (compared to the IN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Bartholomew County?
Bartholomew County public schools minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Indiana public schools average of 38% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public schools in Bartholomew County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Bartholomew County include: Northside Middle School vs. Central Middle School, Central Middle School vs. Northside Middle School, Columbus East High School vs. Columbus North High School
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
