The brief
The top-rated high schools in Indianapolis for 2026 are Herron High School (7.9/10), Herron-Riverside High School (7.5/10), and Rooted School Indianapolis (7.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 37 high schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Indianapolis spans 38 ranked high schools, with performance varying considerably across the metro. Herron-Riverside High School leads the field at 8.9 out of 10, followed closely by Herron High School at 8.8 and North Central High School at 8.7. The average composite score across all ranked schools sits at 6.1 out of 10, meaning strong options exist but families need to look carefully — only 14 schools, or 37% of the total, reach the 7-point threshold. That spread matters when you're comparing schools across different parts of the city. The table below lets you sort by overall score, academics, or other key metrics to find the right fit. Whether you're weighing a traditional public school like North Central against a charter option like KIPP Indy Legacy High, the data gives you a direct, side-by-side view. Start with the top scorers or filter by your neighborhood to narrow the list.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 17.9
- 27.5
- 37.5
- 47.0
- 56.5
- 66.4
- 76.3
- 86.1
- 96.0
- 105.9
All 37 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.Top 25 of 37
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1Herron High SchoolcharterHerron Charterstudents 998student-teacher ratio 10.8:1grades 9th–12th
- 2Herron-Riverside High SchoolcharterHerron-Riverside High Schoolstudents 398student-teacher ratio 6.2:1grades 9th–12th
- 3Rooted School IndianapolischarterRooted School Indianapolisstudents 158student-teacher ratio 8.8:1grades 7th–12th
- 4Christel House DorscharterChristel House Dorsstudents 993student-teacher ratio 43.2:1grades 9th–12th
- 5Geo Next Generation AcademycharterGeo Next Generation Academystudents 222student-teacher ratio 11.7:1grades 8th–12th
- 6North Central High SchoolMsd Washington Townshipstudents 3,616student-teacher ratio 17.2:1grades 9th–12th
- 7Excel Center - RichmondcharterExcel Center - Richmondstudents 204student-teacher ratio 17.0:1grades 9th–12th
- 8Believe Circle City High SchoolcharterBelieve Circle City High Schoolstudents 279student-teacher ratio 11.2:1grades 9th–12th
- 9Franklin Central High SchoolFranklin Township Com Sch Corpstudents 3,381student-teacher ratio 18.9:1grades 9th–12th
- 10The Hope Academy Inc.charterThe Hope Academy Inc.students 40student-teacher ratio 2.5:1grades 9th–12th
- 11Pike High SchoolMsd Pike Townshipstudents 3,193student-teacher ratio 15.9:1grades 9th–12th
- 12Shortridge High SchoolIndianapolis Public Schoolsstudents 1,174student-teacher ratio 14.7:1grades 9th–12th
- 13Ben Davis University High SchoolMsd Wayne Townshipstudents 378student-teacher ratio 22.2:1grades 10th–12th
- 14Perry Meridian High SchoolPerry Township Schoolsstudents 2,373student-teacher ratio 18.4:1grades 9th–12th
- 15Lawrence North High SchoolMsd Lawrence Townshipstudents 2,832student-teacher ratio 18.9:1grades 9th–12th
- 16Monarca AcademycharterMonarca Academystudents 99student-teacher ratio 11.0:1grades 6th–12th
- 17Lawrence Central High SchoolMsd Lawrence Townshipstudents 2,417student-teacher ratio 19.2:1grades 9th–12th
- 18Kipp Indy Legacy HighcharterKipp Indy Legacy Highstudents 386student-teacher ratio 14.3:1grades 9th–12th
- 19Southport High SchoolPerry Township Schoolsstudents 2,376student-teacher ratio 17.7:1grades 9th–12th
- 20Charles a Tindley Accelerated SchcharterCharles A Tindley Accelerated Schstudents 353student-teacher ratio 12.6:1grades 7th–12th
- 21James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High SchoolcharterJames and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy High Schoolstudents 482student-teacher ratio 14.2:1grades 9th–12th
- 22Purdue Polytechnic High School IndcharterPurdue Polytechnic High School Indstudents 578student-teacher ratio 21.4:1grades 9th–12th
- 23Indianapolis Metropolitan High SchcharterIndianapolis Metropolitan High Schstudents 251student-teacher ratio 11.4:1grades 9th–12th
- 24Purdue Polytechnic High Sch NorthcharterPurdue Polytechnic High Sch Northstudents 262student-teacher ratio 21.8:1grades 9th–12th
- 25Decatur Central High SchoolMsd Decatur Townshipstudents 2,061student-teacher ratio 16.1:1grades 9th–12th
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Indiana education department. Rankings are relative to all public high 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
Herron High School
Herron Charter
998 students · 10.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 16% in Indiana · charter
- Academics
- 9.4
- Growth
- 3.9
- Environment
- 9.4
- 2
Herron-Riverside High School
Herron-Riverside High School
398 students · 6.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 22% in Indiana · charter
- Academics
- 8.0
- Growth
- 7.2
- Environment
- 9.1
- 3
Rooted School Indianapolis
Rooted School Indianapolis
158 students · 8.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 7th–12th
Top 22% in Indiana · charter
- Academics
- 4.8
- Growth
- 9.7
- Environment
- 9.8
- 4
Christel House Dors
Christel House Dors
993 students · 43.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 33% in Indiana · charter
- Academics
- 8.7
- Growth
- 10.0
- Environment
- 1.0
- 5
Geo Next Generation Academy
Geo Next Generation Academy
222 students · 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 8th–12th
Top 46% in Indiana · charter
- Academics
- 2.6
- Growth
- 10.0
- Environment
- 9.7
- 6
North Central High School
Msd Washington Township
3,616 students · 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 52% in Indiana
- Academics
- 7.9
- Growth
- 2.3
- Environment
- 6.9
- 7
Excel Center - Richmond
Excel Center - Richmond
204 students · 17.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 52% in Indiana · charter
- Academics
- 6.8
- Growth
- 9.4
- Environment
- 1.7
- 8
Believe Circle City High School
Believe Circle City High School
279 students · 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 57% in Indiana · charter
- Academics
- 5.8
- Growth
- not scored
- Environment
- 9.9
- 9
Franklin Central High School
Franklin Township Com Sch Corp
3,381 students · 18.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 60% in Indiana
- Academics
- 8.6
- Growth
- 2.6
- Environment
- 2.9
- 10
The Hope Academy Inc.
The Hope Academy Inc.
40 students · 2.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 62% in Indiana · charter
- Academics
- 3.1
- Growth
- 7.1
- Environment
- 9.5
Questions
What is the best high school in Indianapolis, Indiana?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Herron High School is the top-rated high school in Indianapolis with a composite score of 7.9/10. 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 high schools are in Indianapolis, Indiana?
Indianapolis has 48 high schools, including 22 charter schools. Of these, 48 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Indianapolis?
Among 48 Indianapolis high schools with a composite score, the average is 5.4/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Indiana).
How does MySchoolScout rate high 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 high school rankings?
Indianapolis has 22 charter high 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 elementary schools in Indianapolis2026 rankings and ratings
- Best middle schools in Indianapolis2026 rankings and ratings
- All 304 schools in IndianapolisElementary, middle and high
- Indiana schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings