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Excellent

#94 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 5% in state

Carmel High School

High School · Carmel Clay Schools

520 E Main St, Carmel, IN 46032

Enrollment

5,200

Student-Teacher

16.9:1

Score

8.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Carmel

#2 of 17

public schools

Indiana high schools

#16 of 388

In district

#2 of 15

Carmel Clay Schools

Equity

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Carmel High School

Carmel High School serves 5,200 students in grades 9 through 12 in Carmel, Indiana, earning a composite score of 9.1/10 — Exceptional on the MySchoolScout scale. The academic score of 9.8/10 is the standout figure: Carmel ranks 4th among 388 public high schools in Indiana, placing it among the state's top performers by a wide margin. That standing holds locally as well — it sits #2 of 17 schools in Carmel, where public school options are unusually competitive.

The student-teacher ratio of 16.9:1 is a solid figure for a school enrolling over 5,000 students. A growth score of 8.4/10 reinforces the broader picture — students here aren't just arriving with advantages, they're advancing at an above-average rate year over year. That combination of high academic achievement and strong student growth is a more durable signal than either metric alone.

Statewide, Carmel outperforms 98% of Indiana public schools, ranking #43 of 1,823 schools across all grade levels. For families evaluating high school options in the Carmel area, every data point here points the same direction.

What's said publicly about Carmel High School

Sources: Wikipedia

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

Carmel High School (CHS) is a public high school located in Carmel, Indiana, United States 1 . It operates as part of the Carmel Clay School District 1 . The school is identified as the largest public high school in Indiana, with an enrollment of over 5,100 students 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. en.wikipedia.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

Carmel High School is a large school with 5,200 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.08 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.8Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency69%
Reading/ELA Proficiency90%
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected+17.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
College Readiness9.9Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation40.2%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,522

Carmel High School — Students at Carmel High School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

13.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 72.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 89.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
71%
ELA
89%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
90%
2022
Math
69%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.4/10.

How Carmel High School Compares

See how Carmel High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.6/10
95th percentile in IN
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
13%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
308 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
40.2% participation·74 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

520 E Main St, Carmel, IN 46032

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Carmel High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST THEODORE GUERIN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Noblesville), a more accessible option. Additionally, Indiana Agriculture and Technology (rated 3.5/10, 1.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Carmel, see our Carmel schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Carmel Elementary School Carmel 0.4 mi 6.8
HIGHLANDS LATIN SCHOOL Carmel 0.7 mi 7.3
CORAM DEO ACADEMY Carmel 0.9 mi 7.7
Indiana Agriculture and Technology Carmel 1.2 mi 3.5
Mohawk Trails Elementary School Carmel 1.2 mi 6.9
Carmel Middle School Carmel 1.2 mi 7.1
CARMEL MONTESSORI SCHOOLS Carmel 1.7 mi
Woodbrook Elementary School Carmel 2.1 mi 6.9
OUR LADY OF MT CARMEL SCHOOL Carmel 2.0 mi 4.9
PRIMROSE SCHOOL AT BRIDGEWATER Westfield 2.2 mi
Forest Dale Elementary School Carmel 2.5 mi 7.7
Clay Middle School Carmel 2.0 mi 7.3
PETER RABBIT NURSERY SCHOOL Carmel 2.8 mi
ST ELIZABETH SETON PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN Carmel 2.8 mi
ST THEODORE GUERIN HIGH SCHOOL Noblesville 2.7 mi 6.7
Carey Ridge Elementary School Westfield 3.2 mi 8.3
Cherry Tree Elementary School Carmel 2.6 mi 7.5
Smoky Row Elementary School Carmel 2.8 mi 7.7
Oak Trace Elementary School Westfield 3.6 mi 7.9
Noble Crossing Elementary School Noblesville 3.4 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46032 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$123,438

Median Home Value

$464,200

Median Rent

$1,522/mo

Population

51,181

College Educated

75.4%

Homeownership

67%

Avg Commute

24.5 min

Poverty Rate

4.5%

Median Age

39.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Carmel High School has a median household income of $123,438. It is a well-educated community where 75% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $464,200, with a median rent of $1,522/month. The local poverty rate of 4.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
North Central High School Indianapolis, IN 8.7
Avon High School Avon, IN 8.4
Hamilton Southeastern HS Fishers, IN 7.7
Brownsburg High School Brownsburg, IN 7.4
Fishers High School Fishers, IN 7.3
Noblesville High School Noblesville, IN 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Carmel High School

What grades does Carmel High School serve?

Carmel High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Carmel High School?

Carmel High School has an enrollment of approximately 5,200 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Carmel High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Carmel High School is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Carmel High School rank in IN?

Carmel High School is ranked #94 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Carmel High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Carmel High School has a composite rating of 8.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Carmel High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carmel High School has 72.3% math proficiency and 89.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Carmel High School a charter school?

No, Carmel High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Carmel High School a Title I school?

No, Carmel High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carmel High School?

13.4% of students at Carmel High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
65 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
61 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (882/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Carmel). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
5,200
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
308
Free/Reduced Lunch
13.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Hamilton County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Carmel Clay Schools
District Enrollment
16,116
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,444
District Rank
#2 of 15

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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