The brief
The top-rated middle schools in Indianapolis for 2026 are Merle Sidener Gifted Academy (9.4/10), The Oaks Academy (7.8/10), and H L Harshman Middle School (7.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 31 middle schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Indianapolis has 30 ranked middle schools spread across the metro, with performance varying considerably from one campus to the next. The average composite score sits at 5.8 out of 10, but the top of the table pulls well above that mark — H L Harshman Middle School leads all Indianapolis middle schools with a 9.7, nearly four points ahead of the citywide average. Only four schools, or 13% of those ranked, clear the 7.0 threshold, putting Northview Middle School, Merle Sidener Gifted Academy, and Eastwood Middle School in select company. That spread matters when you're weighing options by neighborhood, commute, or program fit. The table below lets you sort by score, school type, and other key metrics to compare campuses side by side. Start with the top performers if academic achievement is your primary filter, or dig into the full list to find the right fit for your student.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 19.4
- 27.8
- 37.7
- 47.7
- 57.5
- 67.4
- 77.4
- 87.2
- 97.1
- 107.1
All 31 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.Top 25 of 31
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1Merle Sidener Gifted AcademyIndianapolis Public Schoolsstudents 304student-teacher ratio 16.0:1grades 2nd–8th
- 2The Oaks Academystudents 262student-teacher ratio 8.4:1grades 6th–8th
- 3H L Harshman Middle SchoolIndianapolis Public Schoolsstudents 272student-teacher ratio 7.8:1grades 7th–8th
- 4Northview Middle SchoolMsd Washington Townshipstudents 828student-teacher ratio 13.6:1grades 6th–8th
- 5Avondale Meadows Middle SchoolcharterAvondale Meadows Middle Schoolstudents 201student-teacher ratio 12.6:1grades 5th–8th
- 6Perry Meridian Middle SchoolPerry Township Schoolsstudents 1,229student-teacher ratio 16.4:1grades 7th–8th
- 7Eastwood Middle SchoolMsd Washington Townshipstudents 822student-teacher ratio 14.4:1grades 6th–8th
- 8James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle SchoolcharterJames & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle Schoolstudents 266student-teacher ratio 12.1:1grades 7th–8th
- 9Paramount EnglewoodcharterParamount Englewoodstudents 228student-teacher ratio 19.0:1grades 5th–8th
- 10Hw Longfellow Med/stem Magnet MidlIndianapolis Public Schoolsstudents 463student-teacher ratio 12.5:1grades 7th–8th
- 11Perry Meridian 6th Grade AcademyPerry Township Schoolsstudents 659student-teacher ratio 15.7:1grades 6th–6th
- 12Lillie Idella Kitley IntermediateFranklin Township Com Sch Corpstudents 1,355student-teacher ratio 18.1:1grades 4th–6th
- 13Northwest Community Middle SchoolIndianapolis Public Schoolsstudents 388student-teacher ratio 12.1:1grades 7th–8th
- 14Edgewood Intermediate SchoolFranklin Township Com Sch Corpstudents 1,265student-teacher ratio 17.6:1grades 4th–6th
- 15Arlington Community Middle SchoolIndianapolis Public Schoolsstudents 270student-teacher ratio 14.2:1grades 7th–8th
- 16Southport 6th Grade AcademyPerry Township Schoolsstudents 660student-teacher ratio 15.3:1grades 6th–6th
- 17Westlane Middle SchoolMsd Washington Townshipstudents 714student-teacher ratio 11.9:1grades 6th–8th
- 18Southport Middle SchoolPerry Township Schoolsstudents 1,210student-teacher ratio 17.0:1grades 7th–8th
- 19New Augusta Public Academy - NorthMsd Pike Townshipstudents 768student-teacher ratio 14.5:1grades 6th–8th
- 20Guion Creek Middle SchoolMsd Pike Townshipstudents 872student-teacher ratio 17.1:1grades 6th–8th
- 21Raymond Park Intermediate & MiddleMsd Warren Townshipstudents 1,087student-teacher ratio 15.3:1grades 5th–8th
- 22Stonybrook Intermediate & MiddleMsd Warren Townshipstudents 1,074student-teacher ratio 14.7:1grades 5th–8th
- 23Franklin Central Junior HighFranklin Township Com Sch Corpstudents 1,672student-teacher ratio 19.2:1grades 7th–8th
- 24Fall Creek Valley Middle SchoolMsd Lawrence Townshipstudents 1,319student-teacher ratio 20.3:1grades 7th–8th
- 25Lincoln Middle SchoolMsd Pike Townshipstudents 765student-teacher ratio 13.7:1grades 6th–8th
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Indiana education department. Rankings are relative to all public middle 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
Merle Sidener Gifted Academy
Indianapolis Public Schools
304 students · 16.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 2nd–8th
Top 1% in Indiana
- Academics
- 9.7
- Growth
- 8.9
- Environment
- 9.9
- 2
- Academics
- not scored
- Growth
- not scored
- Environment
- not scored
- 3
H L Harshman Middle School
Indianapolis Public Schools
272 students · 7.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 7th–8th
Top 23% in Indiana
- Academics
- 9.0
- Growth
- 6.6
- Environment
- 7.8
- 4
Northview Middle School
Msd Washington Township
828 students · 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 24% in Indiana
- Academics
- 7.3
- Growth
- 7.0
- Environment
- 9.2
- 5
Avondale Meadows Middle School
Avondale Meadows Middle School
201 students · 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 5th–8th
Top 27% in Indiana · charter
- Academics
- 4.0
- Growth
- 9.4
- Environment
- 9.2
- 6
Perry Meridian Middle School
Perry Township Schools
1,229 students · 16.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 7th–8th
Top 30% in Indiana
- Academics
- 8.0
- Growth
- 7.9
- Environment
- 5.7
- 7
Eastwood Middle School
Msd Washington Township
822 students · 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 30% in Indiana
- Academics
- 7.0
- Growth
- 6.5
- Environment
- 9.3
- 8
James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School
James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School
266 students · 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 7th–8th
Top 32% in Indiana · charter
- Academics
- 3.0
- Growth
- 9.4
- Environment
- 9.7
- 9
Paramount Englewood
Paramount Englewood
228 students · 19.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 5th–8th
Top 34% in Indiana · charter
- Academics
- 7.7
- Growth
- 9.9
- Environment
- 1.9
- 10
Hw Longfellow Med/stem Magnet Midl
Indianapolis Public Schools
463 students · 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 7th–8th
Top 35% in Indiana
- Academics
- 2.6
- Growth
- 9.4
- Environment
- 9.9
Questions
What is the best middle school in Indianapolis, Indiana?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Merle Sidener Gifted Academy is the top-rated middle school in Indianapolis with a composite score of 9.4/10. 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 middle schools are in Indianapolis, Indiana?
Indianapolis has 32 middle schools, including 4 charter schools. Of these, 31 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average middle school rating in Indianapolis?
Among 31 Indianapolis middle schools with a composite score, the average is 5.7/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Indiana).
How does MySchoolScout rate middle 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 middle school rankings?
Indianapolis has 4 charter middle 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 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