Top Rankings
Carmel Clay Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Indiana for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 5%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 1%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 5%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 5%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 5 public preschools serving 3,268 students in Carmel Clay Schools. This district's average pre testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 5% of public pre schools in Indiana.
Public Preschools in Carmel Clay Schools have an average math proficiency score of 73% (versus the Indiana public pre school average of 44%), and reading proficiency score of 63% (versus the 39% statewide average).
The top-ranked public preschools in Carmel Clay Schools are Smoky Row Elementary School, Clay Center Elementary School and Cherry Tree Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Asian and Hispanic), which is less than the Indiana public preschool average of 36% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IN)
# Schools
15 Schools
604 Schools
# Students
16,116 Students
264,424 Students
# Teachers
1,012 Teachers
17,629 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Carmel Clay Schools, which is ranked within the top 5% of all 389 school districts in Indiana (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 98% has increased from 97% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#4 out of 395 school districts
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
70%
39%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
70%
41%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
66%
34%
Graduation Rate
98%
88%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.52
0.56
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
17%
3%
% Hispanic
7%
15%
% Black
5%
12%
% White
67%
64%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $13,178 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,184. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,079 is higher than the state median of $12,815. The school district spending/student has declined by 6% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$212 MM
$13,615 MM
Spending
$211 MM
$13,234 MM
Revenue / Student
$13,178
$13,184
Spending / Student
$13,079
$12,815
Best Carmel Clay Schools Public Preschools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Smoky Row Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
900 W 136th St
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 571-4084
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 571-4084
Gr: PK-5 | 659 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #22.
Clay Center Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
12025 Clay Center Rd
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 733-6450
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 733-6450
Gr: PK-5 | 689 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #33.
Cherry Tree Elementary School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
13989 Hazel Dell Parkway
Carmel, IN 46033
(317) 846-3086
Carmel, IN 46033
(317) 846-3086
Gr: PK-5 | 711 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #44.
Forest Dale Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
10721 Lakeshore Dr W
Carmel, IN 46033
(317) 844-4948
Carmel, IN 46033
(317) 844-4948
Gr: PK-5 | 653 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #55.
Mohawk Trails Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4242 E 126th St
Carmel, IN 46033
(317) 844-1158
Carmel, IN 46033
(317) 844-1158
Gr: PK-5 | 556 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Recent Articles
Multilingual Learner Growth Models & Accountability
Learn how multilingual learner growth models are reshaping school accountability systems and what it means for public schools in 2026.
School-Based Health Clinics: Funding, Billing, and Student Access
Learn how school-based health clinics are funded, how billing works, and how students access care in public schools.
Outdoor Learning in Urban Schools: Forest School Programs
Explore how urban districts adopt outdoor learning and forest school programs to boost student engagement, well-being, and academic success.
