Best Schools in Lafayette, Indiana
32 schools · 20 Elementary · 7 Middle · 4 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Lafayette?
Use this page to compare every school in Lafayette 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.
Woodland Elementary School
Elementary · Tippecanoe School Corp. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Mintonye Elementary School
Elementary · Tippecanoe School Corp. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Thomas Miller Elementary School
Elementary · Lafayette School Corporation. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Lafayette for 2026 are Woodland Elementary School (8.7/10), Mintonye Elementary School (8.4/10), and Thomas Miller Elementary School (8.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 24 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
32
24 public · 8 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$198,800
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
32
24 public · 8 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$198,800
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Rates 8.7/10 despite 61% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.5 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Lafayette schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +14.9 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Lafayette schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Lafayette
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 24 rated schools; 32 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woodland Elementary School | 8.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Mintonye Elementary School | 8.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Thomas Miller Elementary School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Wea Ridge Elementary School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Vinton Elementary School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 6 | East Tipp Middle School | 7.0 / 10 |
| 7 | Wainwright Middle School | 7.0 / 10 |
| 8 | Glen Acres Elementary School | 6.6 / 10 |
| 9 | Miami Elementary School | 6.5 / 10 |
| 10 | James Cole Elementary School | 6.5 / 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
- 6.3/10
- Median household income
- $55,931
- Median home value
- $198,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 35%
- Avg commute
- 17 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 45%
32% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Lafayette compares
Indiana rank
#112 of 220
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.0
below Indiana avg (6.4)
Median household income
$56k
78% of Indiana median
Schools in this city
31
Lafayette's public schools split across 3 districts
No single ISD owns Lafayette. The public campuses divide among 3 districts.
The largest shares: Tippecanoe School Corp (12), Lafayette School Corporation (11), Excel Center - Lafayette (1).
Among 24 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.4 to 8.7 — the spread is inside Lafayette, not a citywide average.
- Tippecanoe School Corp12 public · 50%
- Lafayette School Corporation11 public · 46%
- Excel Center - Lafayette1 public · 4%
About Schools in Lafayette, Indiana
Lafayette, Indiana has 24 ranked public schools with an average score of 6.2 out of 10. That number tells a useful story: performance varies considerably across the city, and parents who compare schools individually will find meaningfully better options than those who rely on district-wide assumptions. Seven schools — 29% of the total — score 7 or above, a signal that strong choices exist here, but they aren't the default.
Elementary-age families have the clearest path to high-rated schools. Woodland Elementary leads all of Lafayette with an 8.8 — the highest score in the city's public system and a full 2.6 points above the city average. Thomas Miller Elementary follows at 8.2, and Wea Ridge Elementary rounds out the upper tier at 7.5. Three of Lafayette's five highest-rated schools are at the elementary level, which gives younger children the best odds of landing in a high-performing building right from the start.
The middle school tier holds up well. Wainwright Middle School scores 7.9 and East Tipp Middle School scores 7.5, both clearing the 6.2 city average by more than a full point. That gap is meaningful in a system where most schools sit closer to the middle. Parents planning ahead should check feeder patterns before they're forced to: knowing whether a high-rated elementary connects to Wainwright or East Tipp can shape enrollment decisions years in advance.
The practical takeaway for Lafayette is that school selection — not district reputation — drives outcomes. Most schools fall below the 7-of-10 mark, so where a child attends matters. The strongest options cluster at the elementary level, with solid middle school continuity available. Families with young children should start by mapping attendance boundaries for Woodland Elementary and Thomas Miller.
Elementary Schools
20 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 597 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.7 |
| 2 | 477 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.4 |
| 3 | 323 students · Kindergarten–4th | 8.3 |
| 4 | 613 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.3 |
| 5 | 427 students · Kindergarten–4th | 7.2 |
| 6 | 542 students · Pre-K–4th | 6.6 |
| 7 | 468 students · Kindergarten–4th | 6.5 |
| 8 | 315 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.5 |
| 9 | 193 students · Kindergarten–4th | 6.0 |
| 10 | 532 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.0 |
Show all 20 elementary schools in Lafayette
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 528 students · 6th–8th | 7.0 | ||
| 2 | 311 students · 6th–8th | 7.0 | ||
| 3 | 1,029 students · 5th–6th | 6.2 | ||
| 4 | 699 students · 6th–8th | 5.8 | ||
| 5 | 1,021 students · 7th–8th | 5.3 | ||
| 6 | 518 students · 6th–8th | 5.2 | ||
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 Boniface SchoolPrivate 110 students · 4th–6th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,034 students · 9th–12th | 5.2 | ||
| 2 | 1,786 students · 9th–12th | 5.2 | ||
| 3 | 364 students · 9th–12th | 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 | 469 students · 7th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Faith Christian SchoolPrivate 795 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Lafayette
Lafayette, Indiana · 32 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 4 ZIP codes
Median Income
$55,931
Median Home Value
$198,800
Median Rent
$1,028/mo
Population
105,762
College Educated
35%
Homeownership
45%
Avg Commute
17 min
Poverty Rate
16.9%
Community Profile
Lafayette has a median household income of $55,931. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $198,800, with a median rent of $1,028/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Indiana
- Elementary
- 20
- Middle
- 7
- High
- 4
- 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 Lafayette, Indiana
How many schools are in Lafayette, Indiana?
Lafayette has 32 schools, including 24 public and 8 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Lafayette, Indiana?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Lafayette is 6.3 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 Lafayette, Indiana?
The top-ranked school in Lafayette on MySchoolScout is Woodland Elementary School with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Lafayette, Indiana?
The top-ranked elementary school in Lafayette on MySchoolScout is Woodland Elementary School with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Lafayette, Indiana?
The top-ranked middle school in Lafayette on MySchoolScout is East Tipp Middle School with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best high school in Lafayette, Indiana?
The top-ranked high school in Lafayette on MySchoolScout is Jefferson High School with a composite score of 5.2/10.
How many school districts serve Lafayette, Indiana?
Lafayette is served by 3 school districts: Excel Center - Lafayette, Lafayette School Corporation, Tippecanoe School Corp.
What is the education level in Lafayette, Indiana?
According to Census data, 35% of adults in Lafayette have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Lafayette, Indiana?
The median household income in Lafayette is approximately $55,931 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Lafayette, Indiana?
Yes, Lafayette has 8 private schools alongside 24 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Lawrence Elementary School with a score of 7.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Lafayette, Indiana?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Lafayette is 15.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Lafayette, 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.