Photo: TheSongbook · CC BY-SA 3.0Carmel’s public schools outscore 98% of Indiana districts
On the state math tests, 70% of Carmel’s students scored proficient, above the Indiana average (38%). The grade covers the public school district serving Carmel, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Indiana, not nationally.
From Indiana state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Carmel’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 70% and math 70% in spring 2022, against 41% and 38% statewide; 98% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,433 per student, against $13,688 across Indiana (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
11 elementary schools, then three middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Carmel’s grade
A+: better than 98% of Indiana school districts, #5 of 592 Indiana towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Indiana average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Carmel, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Carmel · depends on your address
Creekside Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,428 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Clay Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,415 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Carmel Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,047 students · 14:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Carmel · depends on your address
Creekside Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,428 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Clay Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,415 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Carmel Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,047 students · 14:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Carmel · depends on your address
Creekside Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,428 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Clay Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,415 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Carmel Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,047 students · 14:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Carmel
Carmel High School
Grades 9–12 · 5,239 students · 17:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Carmel
Carmel High School
Grades 9–12 · 5,239 students · 17:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Carmel
Carmel High School
Grades 9–12 · 5,239 students · 17:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Carmel
Carmel High School
Grades 9–12 · 5,239 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Carmel’s public schools are run by Carmel Clay Schools, which also serves Clay. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Carmel vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Indiana towns that share Carmel’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Carmel | A+ | Carmel Clay Schools |
| Clay | A+ | Carmel Clay Schools |
| Delaware | A+ | Hamilton Southeastern Schools |
| Fishers | A+ | Hamilton Southeastern Schools |
| Zionsville | A+ | Zionsville PK–12 · Lebanon Community School Corporation PK–12 |
| Indianapolis | — | — |
| Washington | C− | Washington Township Metropolitan PK–12 · Indianapolis PK–12 |
| Noblesville | — | Noblesville Schools |
| Noblesville (city) | A+ | Noblesville Schools PK–12 · Hamilton Southeastern Schools PK–12 |
| Westfield | A+ | Westfield-Washington Schools |
| Westfield Washington | A+ | Westfield-Washington Schools |
Every school in Carmel
15 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Indiana’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Carmel’s schools
Are Carmel’s schools good?
By Indiana’s own tests, yes: the public schools Carmel children attend outscore 98% of Indiana’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade, #5 of 592 Indiana towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 98%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Carmel in?
Carmel Clay Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 16,145 students in 15 schools (2024–25).
Where do Carmel kids go to high school?
Carmel High School, with 5,239 students; its own test results earn an A+.
What is Carmel’s graduation rate?
98% of the class of 2023 in Carmel Clay Schools graduated in four years, against 88% across Indiana.
How much does Carmel spend per student?
$13,433 in Carmel Clay Schools (FY2024), against $13,688 across Indiana. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Carmel families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Carmel → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Indiana. Stars are from neighbors.