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7.6 avg / 10

Best Schools in Rensselaer, Indiana

5 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High

Public: 4
Private: 1
Districts: 1
Avg Rating: 7.6/10
Estimated Scores: 20%
Move-ready shortlistcity map + schools

Choosing a school in Rensselaer?

Use this page to compare every school in Rensselaer 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.

Rensselaer Central Middle School

8.5/10

Middle · Rensselaer Central School Corp. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.

Van Rensselaer Elementary School

8.4/10

Elementary · Rensselaer Central School Corp. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.

Rensselaer Central High School

7.9/10

High · Rensselaer Central School Corp. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.

The short answer

The top-rated schools in Rensselaer for 2026 are Rensselaer Central Middle School (8.5/10), Van Rensselaer Elementary School (8.4/10), and Rensselaer Central High School (7.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 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

5

4 public · 1 private

Avg Score

7.6

out of 10

Median Home

$180,900

home value · ACS

District

1

serving the city

Top-Rated Schools in Rensselaer

Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.

# School Rating
1 Rensselaer Central Middle School 8.5 / 10
2 Van Rensselaer Elementary School 8.4 / 10
3 Rensselaer Central High School 7.9 / 10
4 St Augustine Elementary School 7.1 / 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
7.6/10

80% of schools rated 7+

Median household income
$71,359

Census ACS, ZIPs in this city

Median home value
$180,900

Owner-occupied units

Bachelor's degree or higher
18%

Adults 25+

Avg commute
23 min

Workers age 16+

Owner-occupied homes
75%

Of occupied housing units

How Rensselaer compares

Indiana rank

#26 of 218

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

+1.3

above Indiana avg (6.3)

Median household income

$71k

99% of Indiana median

Schools in this city

5

About Schools in Rensselaer, Indiana

Rensselaer, Indiana is home to 5 schools, including 4 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.

With an average rating of 7.6 out of 10, schools in Rensselaer perform strongly 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 Rensselaer is Rensselaer Central Middle School with a composite score of 8.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Rensselaer is served by 1 school district: Rensselaer Central School Corp. These districts collectively serve 1,482 students.

Rensselaer's community shows 18% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $71,359. The poverty rate in the area is 6.4%.

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.

Filter by ZIP: 47978 (5)

Elementary Schools

3 schools
# School Rating
1 310 students · 3rd–5th 8.4
2 387 students · Pre-K–2nd 6.3
Private Schools 1 school

Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.

1 60 students · Kindergarten–5th 7.1

Middle Schools

1 school
# School Rating
1 332 students · 6th–8th 8.5

High Schools

1 school
# School Rating
1 453 students · 9th–12th 7.9

Schools in Rensselaer

Rensselaer, Indiana · 5 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code

Median Income

$71,359

Median Home Value

$180,900

Median Rent

$867/mo

Population

10,097

College Educated

18%

Homeownership

75%

Avg Commute

23 min

Poverty Rate

6.4%

Community Profile

Rensselaer has a median household income of $71,359. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $180,900, with a median rent of $867/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Rensselaer, Indiana

How many schools are in Rensselaer, Indiana?

Rensselaer has 5 schools, including 4 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Rensselaer, Indiana?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Rensselaer is 7.6 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 Rensselaer, Indiana?

The top-ranked school in Rensselaer on MySchoolScout is Rensselaer Central Middle School with a composite score of 8.5/10.

What is the best elementary school in Rensselaer, Indiana?

The top-ranked elementary school in Rensselaer on MySchoolScout is Van Rensselaer Elementary School with a composite score of 8.4/10.

What is the best middle school in Rensselaer, Indiana?

The top-ranked middle school in Rensselaer on MySchoolScout is Rensselaer Central Middle School with a composite score of 8.5/10.

What is the best high school in Rensselaer, Indiana?

The top-ranked high school in Rensselaer on MySchoolScout is Rensselaer Central High School with a composite score of 7.9/10.

How many school districts serve Rensselaer, Indiana?

Rensselaer is served by 1 school district: Rensselaer Central School Corp.

What is the education level in Rensselaer, Indiana?

According to Census data, 18% of adults in Rensselaer have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Rensselaer, Indiana?

The median household income in Rensselaer is approximately $71,359 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

Are there private schools in Rensselaer, Indiana?

Yes, Rensselaer has 1 private school alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Augustine Elementary School with a score of 7.1/10.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Rensselaer, Indiana?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Rensselaer is 13.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Rensselaer, 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.