For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 16,834 students in Carmel, IN (there are 17 private schools, serving 2,278 private students). 87% of all K-12 students in Carmel, IN are educated in public schools (compared to the IN state average of 90%). Carmel has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Indiana.
The top-ranked public schools in Carmel, IN are College Wood Elementary School, West Clay Elementary School and Prairie Trace Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Carmel, IN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 68% (versus the Indiana public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 69% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in Carmel have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of Indiana public schools.
Minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Asian), which is less than the Indiana public school average of 38% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Best Public Schools in Carmel, IN (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
College Wood Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
12415 Shelborne Rd
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 733-6430
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 733-6430
Gr: PK-5 | 616 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #22.
West Clay Elementary School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
3495 W 126 St
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 733-6500
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 733-6500
Gr: PK-5 | 580 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #33.
Prairie Trace Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
14200 N River Rd
Carmel, IN 46033
(317) 571-7925
Carmel, IN 46033
(317) 571-7925
Gr: PK-5 | 715 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Smoky Row Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
900 W 136th St
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 571-4084
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 571-4084
Gr: PK-5 | 692 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Towne Meadow Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
10850 Towne Rd
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 733-2645
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 733-2645
Gr: PK-5 | 527 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #66.
Creekside Middle School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3525 W 126th St
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 733-6420
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 733-6420
Gr: 6-8 | 1,428 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #77.
Clay Center Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
12025 Clay Center Rd
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 733-6450
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 733-6450
Gr: PK-5 | 666 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #88.
Cherry Tree Elementary School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
13989 Hazel Dell Parkway
Carmel, IN 46033
(317) 846-3086
Carmel, IN 46033
(317) 846-3086
Gr: PK-5 | 711 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #99.
Carmel High School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
520 E Main St
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 846-7721
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 846-7721
Gr: 9-12 | 5,239 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1010.
Carmel Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
101 S Richland Ave
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 844-0168
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 844-0168
Gr: PK-5 | 700 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1111.
Woodbrook Elementary School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4311 E 116th St
Carmel, IN 46033
(317) 846-4225
Carmel, IN 46033
(317) 846-4225
Gr: PK-5 | 628 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1212.
Clay Middle School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
5150 E 126th St
Carmel, IN 46033
(317) 844-7251
Carmel, IN 46033
(317) 844-7251
Gr: 6-8 | 1,415 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1313.
Forest Dale Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
10721 Lakeshore Dr W
Carmel, IN 46033
(317) 844-4948
Carmel, IN 46033
(317) 844-4948
Gr: PK-5 | 638 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1414.
Mohawk Trails Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4242 E 126th St
Carmel, IN 46033
(317) 844-1158
Carmel, IN 46033
(317) 844-1158
Gr: PK-5 | 543 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1515.
Carmel Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
300 S Guilford Rd
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 846-7331
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 846-7331
Gr: 6-8 | 1,047 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1616.
Indiana Agriculture And Technology
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
650 East Carmel Drive - Suite
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 201-8734
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 201-8734
Gr: 7-12 | 441 students Student-teacher ratio: 221:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1717.
Options Westfield
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
530 W Carmel Dr
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 815-2098
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 815-2098
Gr: 6-12 | 248 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Carmel, IN?
The top-ranked public schools in Carmel, IN include College Wood Elementary School, West Clay Elementary School and Prairie Trace Elementary School. Carmel has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Indiana.
How many public schools are located in Carmel?
17 public schools are located in Carmel.
What percentage of students in Carmel go to public school?
87% of all K-12 students in Carmel are educated in public schools (compared to the IN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Carmel?
Carmel public schools minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Asian), which is less than the Indiana public schools average of 38% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public schools in Carmel are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Carmel include: West Clay Elementary School vs. College Wood Elementary School, College Wood Elementary School vs. West Clay Elementary School, Clay Middle School vs. Carmel Middle School
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