For the 2026 school year, there are 11 public preschools serving 5,803 students in Bartholomew County, IN.
The top-ranked public preschools in Bartholomew County, IN are Southside Elementary School, Rockcreek Elementary School and Parkside Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Bartholomew County, IN public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the Indiana public pre school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 39% statewide average). Pre schools in Bartholomew County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Indiana public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Indiana public preschool average of 36% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Bartholomew County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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
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 preschools in Bartholomew County, IN?
The top-ranked public preschools in Bartholomew County, IN include Southside Elementary School, Rockcreek Elementary School and Parkside Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Bartholomew County?
11 public preschools are located in Bartholomew County.
What is the racial composition of students in Bartholomew County?
Bartholomew County public preschools minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Indiana public preschools average of 36% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Bartholomew County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Bartholomew County include: Mount Healthy Elementary School vs. Southside Elementary School, Clifty Creek Elementary School vs. Csa Fodrea Campus, Csa Fodrea Campus vs. Clifty Creek Elementary 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.