Top High Schools in Indiana

Indiana's school system is generally solid, with strong suburban schools in the Indianapolis and Fort Wayne metros and excellent specialized programs in the Carmel and Hamilton County areas.

Carmel High School (Carmel)
The largest high school in Indiana (enrollment 5,200+) and consistently one of the finest — Carmel HS has the most comprehensive course offering of any Indiana high school, an extraordinary arts program (the Carmel Philharmonic, one of the finest high school orchestras in the US), and a remarkable swimming program (Carmel has won more state swimming championships than any other high school in the US). The school benefits from Carmel's status as one of the wealthiest and most educated cities in Indiana.

Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (Indianapolis)
The premier private high school in Indianapolis — a Jesuit coeducational college prep school with a strong academic reputation and exceptional arts programming. Brebeuf regularly places students at Ivy League and highly selective universities.

Park Tudor School (Indianapolis)
The top independent K-12 school in Indianapolis — known for academic rigor and strong college counseling. Alumni include multiple Indiana state officials and business leaders.

Hamilton Southeastern High School (Fishers)
The fastest-growing major school in Indiana — HSE benefits from Hamilton County's explosive professional population growth. Strong AP program and dual enrollment with Ivy Tech Community College.

Overall Picture
Indiana's education system performs near the national average overall. The state has implemented school choice programs (charter schools, vouchers) more aggressively than most states; the debate between traditional public schools and school choice alternatives is particularly active in Indiana. The Indiana Academy (a state-funded residential high school for academically gifted students at Ball State University) is an excellent specialized option.