The brief
The top-rated elementary schools in Indianapolis for 2026 are Center for Inquiry School 70 (9.5/10), Center for Inquiry School 84 (9.3/10), and In Math & Science Academy (9.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 171 elementary schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Indianapolis has 138 ranked elementary schools, giving families a wide field to evaluate — but performance varies significantly across the metro. Indy Steam Academy leads all schools with a 9.8 out of 10, followed closely by George W Julian School 57 at 9.5 and IN Math & Science Academy and Center for Inquiry School 70, both at 9.3. The average composite score across all ranked schools sits at 6.1 out of 10, which means the gap between a typical school and a top performer is substantial. Only 36 schools — about 26% of the total — score 7 or higher, so strong options exist but require some searching. The table below lets you sort by overall score, test performance, and other key measures to find schools that match what matters most to your family. Start with the top of the rankings or filter by neighborhood to narrow your search.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 19.5
- 29.3
- 39.0
- 48.8
- 58.8
- 68.7
- 78.6
- 88.6
- 98.5
- 108.5
All 171 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.Top 25 of 171
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1Center for Inquiry School 70Indianapolis Public Schoolsstudents 454student-teacher ratio 16.2:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 2Center for Inquiry School 84Indianapolis Public Schoolsstudents 441student-teacher ratio 14.7:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 3In Math & Science AcademycharterIn Math & Science Academystudents 535student-teacher ratio 10.9:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 4Clearwater Elementary SchoolMsd Washington Townshipstudents 720student-teacher ratio 19.5:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 5St Thomas Aquinas Schoolstudents 187student-teacher ratio 8.1:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 6St Monica Catholic Schoolstudents 334student-teacher ratio 10.4:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 7Indy Steam AcademycharterIndy Steam Academystudents 176student-teacher ratio 11.0:1grades Kindergarten–6th
- 8St Michael-St. Gabriel Archangels Catholic Elemestudents 309student-teacher ratio 10.5:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 9Fishback Creek Public AcademyMsd Pike Townshipstudents 480student-teacher ratio 16.0:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 10St Joan of Arc/diocesestudents 224student-teacher ratio 11.3:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 11The Orchard Schoolstudents 402student-teacher ratio 4.5:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 12Sycamore Schoolstudents 363student-teacher ratio 7.9:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 13Pla at George H Fisher School 93charterPla At George H Fisher School 93students 413student-teacher ratio 11.8:1grades Kindergarten–6th
- 14Trinity Lutheran Schoolstudents 113student-teacher ratio 10.8:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 15St Richard's Episcopal Schoolstudents 244student-teacher ratio 7.8:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 16Mcclelland Elementary SchoolMsd Wayne Townshipstudents 725student-teacher ratio 11.2:1grades Pre-K–6th
- 17Worthmore Academystudents 41student-teacher ratio 5.4:1grades Pre-K–T1
- 18St Matthew Catholic Schoolstudents 318student-teacher ratio 12.0:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 19Douglas Macarthur Elementary SchPerry Township Schoolsstudents 580student-teacher ratio 15.7:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 20Emmaus Lutheran Schoolstudents 62student-teacher ratio 11.1:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 21Hasten Hebrew Academystudents 78student-teacher ratio 3.5:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 22Burge Terrace Christian Schoolstudents 74student-teacher ratio 10.7:1grades Pre-K–6th
- 23Paramount BrooksidecharterParamount Brooksidestudents 856student-teacher ratio 21.9:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 24Paramount Cottage HomecharterParamount Cottage Homestudents 358student-teacher ratio 22.4:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 25Mary Adams Elementary SchoolFranklin Township Com Sch Corpstudents 492student-teacher ratio 16.4:1grades Kindergarten–3rd
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Indiana education department. Rankings are relative to all public elementary schools in Indiana. Learn about our methodology.
The map
The top 25 pinned; open a pin for the campus.Campus by campus
What each of the top ten reports.- 1
Center for Inquiry School 70
Indianapolis Public Schools
454 students · 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–8th
Top 1% in Indiana
- Academics
- 8.6
- Growth
- 9.9
- Environment
- 9.9
- 2
Center for Inquiry School 84
Indianapolis Public Schools
441 students · 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–8th
Top 2% in Indiana
- Academics
- 8.7
- Growth
- 9.5
- Environment
- 9.9
- 3
In Math & Science Academy
In Math & Science Academy
535 students · 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–8th
Top 3% in Indiana · charter
- Academics
- 8.9
- Growth
- 8.8
- Environment
- 9.4
- 4
Clearwater Elementary School
Msd Washington Township
720 students · 19.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–5th
Top 6% in Indiana
- Academics
- 8.8
- Growth
- 9.9
- Environment
- 5.8
- 5
St Thomas Aquinas School
187 students · 8.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 2% in Indiana
- Academics
- not scored
- Growth
- not scored
- Environment
- not scored
- 6
St Monica Catholic School
334 students · 10.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 3% in Indiana
- Academics
- not scored
- Growth
- not scored
- Environment
- not scored
- 7
Indy Steam Academy
Indy Steam Academy
176 students · 11.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–6th
Top 8% in Indiana · charter
- Academics
- 9.3
- Growth
- 10.0
- Environment
- 3.8
- 8
St Michael-St. Gabriel Archangels Catholic Eleme
309 students · 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–8th
Top 5% in Indiana
- Academics
- not scored
- Growth
- not scored
- Environment
- not scored
- 9
Fishback Creek Public Academy
Msd Pike Township
480 students · 16.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 10% in Indiana
- Academics
- 9.0
- Growth
- 8.2
- Environment
- 8.4
- 10
St Joan of Arc/diocese
224 students · 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 5% in Indiana
- Academics
- not scored
- Growth
- not scored
- Environment
- not scored
Questions
What is the best elementary school in Indianapolis, Indiana?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Center for Inquiry School 70 is the top-rated elementary school in Indianapolis with a composite score of 9.5/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many elementary schools are in Indianapolis, Indiana?
Indianapolis has 185 elementary schools, including 33 charter schools. Of these, 177 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average elementary school rating in Indianapolis?
Among 177 Indianapolis elementary schools with a composite score, the average is 5.9/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Indiana).
How does MySchoolScout rate elementary schools?
Schools with enough data receive a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Indiana, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Indiana, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Indianapolis elementary school rankings?
Indianapolis has 33 charter elementary schools in its directory. Charter schools that meet this ranking's data requirements are included alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.
How should I use this ranking?
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Explore more
- Best middle schools in Indianapolis2026 rankings and ratings
- Best high schools in Indianapolis2026 rankings and ratings
- All 298 schools in IndianapolisElementary, middle and high
- Indiana schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings