The brief
The top-rated middle schools in Indianapolis for 2026 are H L Harshman Middle School (9.1/10), Northview Middle School (9.0/10), and Eastwood Middle School (8.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 30 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.
- 19.1
- 29.0
- 38.6
- 47.9
- 57.2
- 67.2
- 76.9
- 86.8
- 96.4
- 106.4
All 30 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.Top 25 of 30
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1H L Harshman Middle SchoolIndianapolis Public Schoolsstudents 272student-teacher ratio 7.8:1grades 7th–8th
- 2Northview Middle SchoolMsd Washington Townshipstudents 828student-teacher ratio 13.6:1grades 6th–8th
- 3Eastwood Middle SchoolMsd Washington Townshipstudents 822student-teacher ratio 14.4:1grades 6th–8th
- 4Westlane Middle SchoolMsd Washington Townshipstudents 714student-teacher ratio 11.9:1grades 6th–8th
- 5Merle Sidener Gifted AcademyIndianapolis Public Schoolsstudents 304student-teacher ratio 16.0:1grades 2nd–8th
- 6New Augusta Public Academy - NorthMsd Pike Townshipstudents 768student-teacher ratio 14.5:1grades 6th–8th
- 7James & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle SchoolcharterJames & Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle Schoolstudents 266student-teacher ratio 12.1:1grades 7th–8th
- 8Perry Meridian Middle SchoolPerry Township Schoolsstudents 1,229student-teacher ratio 16.4:1grades 7th–8th
- 9Hw Longfellow Med/stem Magnet MidlIndianapolis Public Schoolsstudents 463student-teacher ratio 12.5:1grades 7th–8th
- 10Fall Creek Valley Middle SchoolMsd Lawrence Townshipstudents 1,319student-teacher ratio 20.3:1grades 7th–8th
- 11Perry Meridian 6th Grade AcademyPerry Township Schoolsstudents 659student-teacher ratio 15.7:1grades 6th–6th
- 12Stonybrook Intermediate & MiddleMsd Warren Townshipstudents 1,074student-teacher ratio 14.7:1grades 5th–8th
- 13Lillie Idella Kitley IntermediateFranklin Township Com Sch Corpstudents 1,355student-teacher ratio 18.1:1grades 4th–6th
- 14Raymond Park Intermediate & MiddleMsd Warren Townshipstudents 1,087student-teacher ratio 15.3:1grades 5th–8th
- 15Avondale Meadows Middle SchoolcharterAvondale Meadows Middle Schoolstudents 201student-teacher ratio 12.6:1grades 5th–8th
- 16Northwest Community Middle SchoolIndianapolis Public Schoolsstudents 388student-teacher ratio 12.1:1grades 7th–8th
- 17Kipp Indy College Prep MiddlecharterKipp Indy College Prep Middlestudents 369student-teacher ratio 21.7:1grades 6th–8th
- 18Edgewood Intermediate SchoolFranklin Township Com Sch Corpstudents 1,265student-teacher ratio 17.6:1grades 4th–6th
- 19Southport Middle SchoolPerry Township Schoolsstudents 1,210student-teacher ratio 17.0:1grades 7th–8th
- 20Southport 6th Grade AcademyPerry Township Schoolsstudents 660student-teacher ratio 15.3:1grades 6th–6th
- 21Creston Intermediate & Middle SchlMsd Warren Townshipstudents 1,086student-teacher ratio 16.7:1grades 5th–8th
- 22Franklin Central Junior HighFranklin Township Com Sch Corpstudents 1,672student-teacher ratio 19.2:1grades 7th–8th
- 23Guion Creek Middle SchoolMsd Pike Townshipstudents 872student-teacher ratio 17.1:1grades 6th–8th
- 24Paramount EnglewoodcharterParamount Englewoodstudents 228student-teacher ratio 19.0:1grades 5th–8th
- 25Decatur Middle SchoolMsd Decatur Townshipstudents 985student-teacher ratio 14.9:1grades 7th–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
H L Harshman Middle School
Indianapolis Public Schools
272 students · 7.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 7th–8th
Top 2% in Indiana
- Academics
- 9.1
- Growth
- 10.0
- Environment
- 7.8
- 2
Northview Middle School
Msd Washington Township
828 students · 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 3% in Indiana
- Academics
- 7.9
- Growth
- 9.9
- Environment
- 9.2
- 3
Eastwood Middle School
Msd Washington Township
822 students · 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 7% in Indiana
- Academics
- 7.5
- Growth
- 9.2
- Environment
- 9.3
- 4
Westlane Middle School
Msd Washington Township
714 students · 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 17% in Indiana
- Academics
- 5.4
- Growth
- 9.0
- Environment
- 9.7
- 5
Merle Sidener Gifted Academy
Indianapolis Public Schools
304 students · 16.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 2nd–8th
Top 29% in Indiana
- Academics
- 9.6
- Growth
- 3.5
- Environment
- 9.9
- 6
New Augusta Public Academy - North
Msd Pike Township
768 students · 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 29% in Indiana
- Academics
- 5.8
- Growth
- 7.5
- Environment
- 8.5
- 7
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 36% in Indiana · charter
- Academics
- 3.3
- Growth
- 8.2
- Environment
- 9.7
- 8
Perry Meridian Middle School
Perry Township Schools
1,229 students · 16.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 7th–8th
Top 39% in Indiana
- Academics
- 7.7
- Growth
- 6.6
- Environment
- 5.7
- 9
Hw Longfellow Med/stem Magnet Midl
Indianapolis Public Schools
463 students · 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 7th–8th
Top 50% in Indiana
- Academics
- 1.9
- Growth
- 8.1
- Environment
- 9.9
- 10
Fall Creek Valley Middle School
Msd Lawrence Township
1,319 students · 20.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 7th–8th
Top 50% in Indiana
- Academics
- 6.9
- Growth
- 8.5
- Environment
- 2.3
Questions
What is the best middle school in Indianapolis, Indiana?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, H L Harshman Middle School is the top-rated middle school in Indianapolis with a composite score of 9.1/10. 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 33 middle schools, including 4 charter schools. Of these, 32 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average middle school rating in Indianapolis?
Among 32 Indianapolis middle schools with a composite score, the average is 6.1/10. 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 304 schools in IndianapolisElementary, middle and high
- Indiana schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings