Best Schools in Pendleton, Indiana
6 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Pendleton?
Use this page to compare every school in Pendleton 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.
East Elementary School
Elementary · South Madison Com Sch Corp. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Pendleton Elementary School
Elementary · South Madison Com Sch Corp. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Maple Ridge Elementary School
Elementary · South Madison Com Sch Corp. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Pendleton for 2026 are East Elementary School (7.9/10), Pendleton Elementary School (7.7/10), and Maple Ridge Elementary School (7.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 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
6
in this city
Avg Score
6.9
out of 10
Median Home
$274,450
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
6
in this city
Avg Score
6.9
out of 10
Median Home
$274,450
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Pendleton
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Elementary School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Pendleton Elementary School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Maple Ridge Elementary School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Pendleton Heights High School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Pendleton Heights Middle School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 6 | Pendleton Juvenile Correctional | 5.7 / 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
- 6.9/10
- Median household income
- $91,577
- Median home value
- $274,450
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 39%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 77%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Pendleton compares
Indiana rank
#66 of 218
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.6
above Indiana avg (6.3)
Median household income
$92k
127% of Indiana median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Pendleton, Indiana
Pendleton, Indiana is home to 6 schools, including 6 public schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.9 out of 10, schools in Pendleton show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Pendleton is East Elementary School with a composite score of 7.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Pendleton is served by 2 school districts: Indiana Department of Correction, South Madison Com Sch Corp. These districts collectively serve 4,683 students.
Pendleton's community shows 39% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $91,577. The poverty rate in the area is 5.0%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 671 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.9 |
| 2 | 870 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.7 |
| 3 | 716 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.1 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 697 students · 7th–8th | 6.4 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,353 students · 9th–12th | 6.8 |
| 2 | 180 students · 5th–12th | 5.7 |
Schools in Pendleton
Pendleton, Indiana · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$91,577
Median Home Value
$274,450
Median Rent
$1,168/mo
Population
65,244
College Educated
39%
Homeownership
77%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
5.0%
Community Profile
Pendleton has a median household income of $91,577. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $274,450, with a median rent of $1,168/month. The local poverty rate of 5.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Indiana
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
Resources
Nearby Cities
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 Pendleton, Indiana
How many schools are in Pendleton, Indiana?
Pendleton has 6 schools, including 6 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Pendleton, Indiana?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Pendleton is 6.9 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 Pendleton, Indiana?
The top-ranked school in Pendleton on MySchoolScout is East Elementary School with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Pendleton, Indiana?
The top-ranked elementary school in Pendleton on MySchoolScout is East Elementary School with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Pendleton, Indiana?
The top-ranked middle school in Pendleton on MySchoolScout is Pendleton Heights Middle School with a composite score of 6.4/10.
What is the best high school in Pendleton, Indiana?
The top-ranked high school in Pendleton on MySchoolScout is Pendleton Heights High School with a composite score of 6.8/10.
How many school districts serve Pendleton, Indiana?
Pendleton is served by 2 school districts: Indiana Department of Correction, South Madison Com Sch Corp.
What is the education level in Pendleton, Indiana?
According to Census data, 39% of adults in Pendleton have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Pendleton, Indiana?
The median household income in Pendleton is approximately $91,577 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Pendleton, Indiana?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Pendleton is 15.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Pendleton, 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.