Excellent
#20 of 1,823 schools in IN
Top 1% in state
Clay Center Elementary School
Elementary School · Carmel Clay Schools
12025 Clay Center Rd, Carmel, IN 46032
Enrollment
689
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
9.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
689
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
9.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Carmel
#1 of 17
public schools
Indiana elementary schools
#13 of 1,047
In district
#1 of 15
Carmel Clay Schools
Equity
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Clay Center Elementary School
Clay Center Elementary School serves 689 students in grades PK through 5 in Carmel, Indiana. The school earns a composite score of 9.2 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — with an academic score of 9.8 and a growth score of 9.4. Both numbers point the same direction: students are performing at a high level and continuing to advance.
At 14.4 students per teacher, class sizes stay low across the full PK–5 span. The school ranks first among all 17 public schools in Carmel and 13th among 1,047 elementary schools statewide. Taken together, Clay Center outperforms 99% of Indiana's public schools — a standing drawn from a field of 1,823 institutions.
Scoring in the top 2% of Indiana elementary schools while holding the top local rank makes for a rare combination. Clay Center is a regular public school. Families weighing elementary options in Carmel will find scores that align across every dimension — high academic achievement, strong growth, and rankings that hold at both the city and state level.
Score Breakdown
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Clay Center Elementary School — Students at Clay Center Elementary School score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
13.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 11 test records from IN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.4/10.
How Clay Center Elementary School Compares
See how Clay Center Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 79% (2022) to 82.6% (2025).
Location
12025 Clay Center Rd, Carmel, IN 46032
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Clay Center Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. West Clay Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 2.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Towne Meadow Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, College Wood Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 2.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Carmel, see our Carmel schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Smoky Row Elementary School Carmel | 1.7 mi | 7.7 |
| CARMEL MONTESSORI SCHOOLS Carmel | 1.7 mi | — |
| Towne Meadow Elementary School Carmel | 1.8 mi | 8.2 |
| PRIMROSE SCHOOL AT WEST CLAY Carmel | 1.9 mi | 6.4 |
| UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL OF INDIANA Carmel | 1.9 mi | 8.1 |
| PETER RABBIT NURSERY SCHOOL Carmel | 2.1 mi | — |
| Carmel Middle School Carmel | 2.0 mi | 7.1 |
| West Clay Elementary School Carmel | 2.0 mi | 8.6 |
| INDIANA MONTESSORI ACADEMY Carmel | 2.1 mi | — |
| INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Indianapolis | 2.7 mi | — |
| College Wood Elementary School Carmel | 2.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Creekside Middle School Carmel | 2.3 mi | 7.3 |
| CORAM DEO ACADEMY Carmel | 2.4 mi | 7.7 |
| OUR LADY OF MT CARMEL SCHOOL Carmel | 2.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Nora Elementary School Indianapolis | 3.4 mi | 6.8 |
| College Park Elementary School Indianapolis | 3.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Spring Mill Elementary School Indianapolis | 3.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Carmel Elementary School Carmel | 3.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Shamrock Springs Elementary School Westfield | 4.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Greenbriar Elementary School Indianapolis | 4.0 mi | 7.4 |
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 Clay Center Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Culver Elementary School Culver, IN | 9.1 |
| Center for Inquiry School 70 Indianapolis, IN | 9.3 |
| IN Math & Science Academy Indianapolis, IN | 9.3 |
| West Lafayette Elementary School West Lafayette, IN | 9.3 |
| Aboite Elementary School Fort Wayne, IN | 9.0 |
| Fred H Croninger Elementary School Fort Wayne, IN | 8.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Clay Center Elementary School
What grades does Clay Center Elementary School serve?
Clay Center Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Clay Center Elementary School?
Clay Center Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 689 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Clay Center Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Clay Center Elementary School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Clay Center Elementary School rank in IN?
Clay Center Elementary School is ranked #20 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Clay Center Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Clay Center Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.2 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 Clay Center Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Clay Center Elementary School has 81.9% math proficiency and 76.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Clay Center Elementary School a charter school?
No, Clay Center Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Clay Center Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Clay Center Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Clay Center Elementary School?
13.9% of students at Clay Center Elementary 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Carmel). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 689
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 13.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Hamilton County
- Phone
- (317) 733-6450
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Carmel Clay Schools- District Enrollment
- 16,116
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,444
- District Rank
- #1 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 methodologyRelated reading
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