Very Good
#319 of 1,823 schools in IN
Top 17% in state
Forest Dale Elementary School
Elementary School · Carmel Clay Schools
10721 Lakeshore Dr W, Carmel, IN 46033
Enrollment
653
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
653
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Carmel
#8 of 17
public schools
Indiana elementary schools
#220 of 1,047
In district
#8 of 15
Carmel Clay Schools
Equity
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Forest Dale Elementary School
Forest Dale Elementary School serves 653 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Carmel, Indiana. With a student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1 and 46 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides a well-staffed learning environment that has earned recognition as one of Indiana's top elementary schools. The school ranks #24 out of 1,831 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 99th percentile with an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10.
Academic performance is particularly strong, earning a 9.5 out of 10 academic score. Mathematics achievement stands out with 71% of students performing at proficient or above levels across all grade levels. Forest Dale Elementary is situated in the affluent 46033 ZIP code area, where the median household income reaches $147,998 and home values average $430,500.
The surrounding community is highly educated, with 72% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a low poverty rate of just 2.6%. This supportive community environment, combined with strong academic resources, creates an educational setting where students can thrive. Located on Lakeshore Drive West in this mid-size city, Forest Dale Elementary benefits from Carmel's reputation for educational excellence and family-friendly neighborhoods.
Score Breakdown
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Forest Dale Elementary School — Students at Forest Dale Elementary School score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
19%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 15 test records from IN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.8/10.
How Forest Dale Elementary School Compares
See how Forest Dale Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 74% (2019) to 68.75% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 71% (2019) to 62.83% (2025).
Location
10721 Lakeshore Dr W, Carmel, IN 46033
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Forest Dale Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Clearwater Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Indianapolis), which scores slightly higher. Another option is CORAM DEO ACADEMY (rated 7.7/10, 2.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Woodbrook Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Carmel, see our Carmel schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST ELIZABETH SETON PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN Carmel | 0.7 mi | — |
| Woodbrook Elementary School Carmel | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Indiana Agriculture and Technology Carmel | 1.3 mi | 3.5 |
| KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER #1488 Indianapolis | 1.8 mi | — |
| HIGHLANDS LATIN SCHOOL Carmel | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Mohawk Trails Elementary School Carmel | 2.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Carmel Elementary School Carmel | 2.2 mi | 6.8 |
| PETER RABBIT NURSERY SCHOOL Carmel | 1.9 mi | — |
| Carmel High School Carmel | 2.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Hilltop School Indianapolis | 2.5 mi | 7.2 |
| North Central High School Indianapolis | 2.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Clay Middle School Carmel | 2.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Nora Elementary School Indianapolis | 2.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Northview Middle School Indianapolis | 2.7 mi | 8.6 |
| CORAM DEO ACADEMY Carmel | 2.7 mi | 7.7 |
| COLONIAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Indianapolis | 3.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Carmel Middle School Carmel | 2.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Clearwater Elementary School Indianapolis | 3.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Riverside Junior High Fishers | 2.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Riverside Intermediate School Fishers | 2.6 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46033 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$150,529
Median Home Value
$458,600
Median Rent
$1,597/mo
Population
40,153
College Educated
72.2%
Homeownership
86.9%
Avg Commute
24.9 min
Poverty Rate
2.3%
Median Age
41.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Forest Dale Elementary School has a median household income of $150,529. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $458,600, with a median rent of $1,597/month. The local poverty rate of 2.3% 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 |
|---|---|
| Eagle Elementary School Brownsburg, IN | 7.7 |
| Floyds Knobs Elementary School Floyds Knobs, IN | 7.7 |
| Fox Hill Elementary School Indianapolis, IN | 7.7 |
| Green Meadows Intermediate Elem Frankfort, IN | 7.7 |
| Harrison Elementary School South Bend, IN | 7.7 |
| Huntertown Elementary School Huntertown, IN | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Forest Dale Elementary School
What grades does Forest Dale Elementary School serve?
Forest Dale Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Forest Dale Elementary School?
Forest Dale Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 653 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Forest Dale Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Forest Dale Elementary School is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Forest Dale Elementary School rank in IN?
Forest Dale Elementary School is ranked #319 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Forest Dale Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Forest Dale Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Forest Dale Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Forest Dale Elementary School has 69.2% math proficiency and 62.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Forest Dale Elementary School a charter school?
No, Forest Dale Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Forest Dale Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Forest Dale Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Forest Dale Elementary School?
19.0% of students at Forest Dale 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
- 653
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 46
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 19.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Hamilton County
- Phone
- (317) 844-4948
- 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
- #8 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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