Best Schools in Bedford, Indiana
9 schools · 6 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Bedford?
Use this page to compare every school in Bedford by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Parkview Elementary School
Elementary · North Lawrence Com Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Needmore Elementary School
Elementary · North Lawrence Com Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Lawrence County Independent Schools
Elementary · Lawrence County Independent Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Bedford for 2026 are Parkview Elementary School (9.3/10), Needmore Elementary School (8.7/10), and Lawrence County Independent Schools (7.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
9
7 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$165,200
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
9
7 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$165,200
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +12.8 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Bedford schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Bedford
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 rated schools; 9 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parkview Elementary School | 9.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Needmore Elementary School | 8.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Lawrence County Independent Schools | 7.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Bedford Middle School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Bedford-North Lawrence High School | 5.4 / 10 |
| 6 | Lincoln Elementary School | 5.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Shawswick Elementary School | 3.4 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $66,588
- Median home value
- $165,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21%
- Avg commute
- 27 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 79%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Bedford compares
Indiana rank
#105 of 220
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.0
above Indiana avg (6.4)
Median household income
$67k
93% of Indiana median
Schools in this city
9
North Lawrence Com Schools runs 86% of Bedford's public schools
Bedford touches 2 districts, but North Lawrence Com Schools is the one most addresses actually attend.
North Lawrence Com Schools accounts for 6 of 7 public schools (86%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 1.
Among 7 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.4 to 9.3 — the spread is inside Bedford, not a citywide average.
- North Lawrence Com Schools6 public · 86%
- Lawrence County Independent Schools1 public · 14%
About Schools in Bedford, Indiana
Bedford, Indiana is home to 9 schools, including 7 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.4 out of 10, schools in Bedford show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Bedford is Parkview Elementary School with a composite score of 9.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Bedford is served by 2 school districts: Lawrence County Independent Schools, North Lawrence Com Schools. These districts collectively serve 3,729 students.
Bedford's community shows 21% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $66,588. The poverty rate in the area is 10.7%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 494 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.3 | ||
| 2 | 226 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.7 | ||
| 3 | 212 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.7 | ||
| 4 | 305 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.2 | ||
| 5 | 480 students · Kindergarten–6th | 3.4 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Vincent De Paul SchoolPrivate 163 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 527 students · 7th–8th | 5.5 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,249 students · 9th–12th | 5.4 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stone City Christian AcademyPrivate 66 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Bedford
Bedford, Indiana · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$66,588
Median Home Value
$165,200
Median Rent
$827/mo
Population
27,610
College Educated
21%
Homeownership
79%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
10.7%
Community Profile
Bedford has a median household income of $66,588. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $165,200, with a median rent of $827/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.7%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Indiana
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
Other Major Cities in Indiana
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Bedford, Indiana
How many schools are in Bedford, Indiana?
Bedford has 9 schools, including 7 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Bedford, Indiana?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Bedford is 6.4 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Bedford, Indiana?
The top-ranked school in Bedford on MySchoolScout is Parkview Elementary School with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Bedford, Indiana?
The top-ranked elementary school in Bedford on MySchoolScout is Parkview Elementary School with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Bedford, Indiana?
The top-ranked middle school in Bedford on MySchoolScout is Bedford Middle School with a composite score of 5.5/10.
What is the best high school in Bedford, Indiana?
The top-ranked high school in Bedford on MySchoolScout is Bedford-North Lawrence High School with a composite score of 5.4/10.
How many school districts serve Bedford, Indiana?
Bedford is served by 2 school districts: Lawrence County Independent Schools, North Lawrence Com Schools.
What is the education level in Bedford, Indiana?
According to Census data, 21% of adults in Bedford have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Bedford, Indiana?
The median household income in Bedford is approximately $66,588 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Bedford, Indiana?
Yes, Bedford has 2 private schools alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Vincent De Paul School with a score of 6.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Bedford, Indiana?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Bedford is 14.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Bedford, Indiana?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Indiana Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.