Top 10 Public High Schools in Indianapolis
Curated by Chief Revenue Officer Kory White · CRO Syndicate
Top 10 Public High Schools in Indianapolis
Direct Answer
The Best Overall public high school in the Indianapolis area is Herron High School, a tuition-free public charter in the city core whose classical, liberal-arts model and high college-matriculation rate routinely place it among Indiana's top public high schools. The Best Value pick is Carmel High School in the northern suburbs, whose enormous AP catalog, near-universal graduation, and powerhouse extracurriculars are delivered free to any zoned family in one of the state's strongest districts.
This list is built for Indianapolis-area families and students weighing where to enroll, with a focus on academics, college outcomes, and fit. Every pick uses real, publicly reported data from the Indiana Department of Education, U.S. News, Niche, and individual schools.
How We Ranked the Top 10
We weighted each school against the priorities families consistently rank highest, drawing on published figures from U.S. News, Niche, GreatSchools, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), and the College Board. The weighting:
- Academic performance (test scores, AP/IB) - 25%
- College and post-grad outcomes - 20%
- Value and cost - 15%
- Teachers and resources - 15%
- Environment and safety - 15%
- Extracurriculars and fit - 10%
A school that posts elite test scores but graduates few students, or wins on reputation but offers thin programs, drops fast. The winners balance all six. Note that several top picks sit in the suburban districts that ring Indianapolis, where families across the metro often enroll.
1. Herron High School 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Type: Public Charter | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Students seeking a rigorous, college-prep classical education in the city core
In downtown Indianapolis, Herron High School is a tuition-free public charter built on a classical, liberal-arts curriculum that enrolls roughly 1,000 students across its campuses. Herron posts a graduation rate above 95% and very high college-matriculation rates, with a strong record of sending graduates to selective four-year colleges.
The school requires AP coursework and emphasizes art history, rhetoric, and the humanities alongside STEM. As an open-enrollment charter, it draws a diverse student body from across the city and is consistently ranked among the best public high schools in Indiana.
Pros:
- Rigorous classical, college-prep curriculum for all students
- Graduation rate above 95% with strong college matriculation
- Open-enrollment charter accessible across the city
- Diverse, academically focused student community
Cons:
- Classical model is demanding and not for every learner
- Smaller athletics program than the large suburban schools
Verdict: Herron wins on balance - the strongest college-prep public option inside the city core.
2. Carmel High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families wanting the metro's deepest AP catalog and extracurriculars 💎 BEST VALUE
In the northern suburb of Carmel, Carmel High School is one of the largest high schools in Indiana, enrolling about 5,000 students, and is regularly the highest-rated public high school in the metro. Carmel reports a graduation rate near 97%, an enormous AP catalog with high participation, and SAT averages well above the state mean.
Its athletics, music, and academic-team programs are national contenders, all delivered tuition-free to any family in the well-funded Carmel Clay Schools district. The scale and resources make it an outstanding outcomes-per-dollar choice.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 97% with a vast AP catalog
- Nationally competitive athletics and music programs
- Free, open enrollment to zoned families
- Strong, well-funded district resources
Cons:
- Very large enrollment means big classes
- Affluent attendance zone limits socioeconomic diversity
Verdict: The value champion - elite suburban outcomes and unmatched breadth at no tuition.
3. Zionsville Community High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families wanting top academics in a strong northwest-suburb district
Zionsville Community High School in Zionsville enrolls about 2,200 students and consistently ranks among Indiana's best, with a graduation rate near 97%, broad AP offerings, and SAT averages above the state mean. The Zionsville Community Schools district is among the most highly rated in the state, and the high school pairs strong academics with competitive athletics and arts.
Its student-teacher ratio near 18:1 and supportive culture make it a perennial top suburban choice for metro families.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 97%
- Broad AP catalog and strong SAT averages
- Top-rated district with strong resources
- Competitive athletics and arts programs
Cons:
- Housing in the attendance zone carries a premium
- Less program specialization than magnet schools
Verdict: A top-tier suburban standout - excellent academics in one of Indiana's strongest districts.
4. Hamilton Southeastern High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Fishers-area families wanting strong, well-rounded academics
Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers serves about 3,500 students and is a leading public school in the fast-growing northeast suburbs. It reports a graduation rate near 96%, a deep AP program, and SAT averages above the state mean. The school's athletics, performing arts, and academic teams are competitive, and the Hamilton Southeastern Schools district is well-funded and highly rated.
Open enrollment to zoned families and a broad elective catalog make it a strong, accessible choice.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 96%
- Deep AP catalog and strong SAT averages
- Competitive athletics and performing arts
- Well-funded, highly rated district
Cons:
- Large enrollment yields sizable core classes
- Rapid district growth strains some facilities
Verdict: A well-rounded northeast-suburb leader - strong academics with broad programs.
5. Fishers High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families wanting a large, high-performing comprehensive school
Fishers High School, also in Fishers within the Hamilton Southeastern district, enrolls about 3,400 students and mirrors its sister school's strong outcomes, with a graduation rate near 96%, broad AP offerings, and SAT averages above the state mean. Fishers is known for its engineering and STEM pathways, strong athletics, and active arts programs.
The well-resourced district and a student-teacher ratio near 19:1 support a wide range of electives and student support services.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 96% with broad AP catalog
- Strong engineering and STEM pathways
- Competitive athletics and arts
- Well-funded district resources
Cons:
- Very large enrollment
- Popular electives can fill quickly
Verdict: A STEM-forward comprehensive standout - strong academics with engineering pathways.
6. Center Grove High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Southside metro families wanting strong academics and athletics
Center Grove High School in Greenwood, on the metro's south side, enrolls about 2,700 students and is the highest-rated public high school in Johnson County. It reports a graduation rate near 97%, a solid AP catalog, and SAT averages above the state mean. Center Grove is known for powerhouse athletics alongside strong academics, and the Center Grove Community School Corporation is well-funded and highly regarded.
Open enrollment and a broad elective menu make it the leading southside choice.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 97%
- Solid AP catalog and strong SAT averages
- Powerhouse athletics programs
- Top-rated southside district
Cons:
- Less program specialization than magnets
- Affluent zone limits socioeconomic diversity
Verdict: The southside leader - strong academics paired with elite athletics.
7. Westfield High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families in the fast-growing northern suburbs
Westfield High School in Westfield enrolls about 2,800 students and serves one of the fastest-growing communities in the metro. It reports a graduation rate near 95%, a strong AP program, and SAT averages above the state mean. The Westfield Washington Schools district has invested heavily in new facilities, and the high school pairs solid academics with competitive athletics and a growing arts program.
Its open enrollment and expanding course catalog make it an increasingly strong northern-suburb pick.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 95%
- Strong AP catalog and rising SAT averages
- New, well-funded facilities
- Competitive athletics and growing arts
Cons:
- Rapid growth strains capacity
- Less established than Carmel or Zionsville historically
Verdict: A rising northern-suburb standout - strong academics with new facilities and momentum.
8. Crispus Attucks High School
Type: Public Magnet | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: City students seeking a focused medical-magnet pathway
Crispus Attucks High School in downtown Indianapolis, part of Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), operates a medical-magnet program that prepares students for health-sciences careers and college. The historic school enrolls roughly 1,000 students and posts improving outcomes, with the magnet drawing motivated students citywide.
Its medical and health-sciences pathways, dual-credit options, and partnerships with local hospitals give students hands-on exposure that few comprehensive schools match, making it a strong focused option within the city district.
Pros:
- Dedicated medical and health-sciences magnet pathway
- Dual-credit and hospital-partnership opportunities
- Historic, central-city campus accessible citywide
- Focused career preparation for health fields
Cons:
- Whole-school outcomes trail the top suburban schools
- Narrow specialization for non-medical-track students
Verdict: The medical-magnet choice - a focused health-sciences pathway within the city district.
9. Avon High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: West-side metro families wanting strong, accessible academics
Avon High School in Avon, on the metro's west side, enrolls about 2,800 students and is the leading public high school in Hendricks County. It reports a graduation rate near 95%, a broad AP program, and SAT averages near the state mean and above. Avon is well known for its nationally competitive marching band and strong athletics, alongside solid academics.
The Avon Community School Corporation is well-funded, and open enrollment makes the school accessible to all zoned west-side families.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 95%
- Broad AP catalog and solid SAT averages
- Nationally recognized marching band
- Well-funded west-side district
Cons:
- Less program specialization than magnets
- Large enrollment yields sizable classes
Verdict: The west-side leader - strong academics with standout performing-arts programs.
10. Noblesville High School
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Northeast-metro families wanting a large, well-rounded school
Noblesville High School in Noblesville enrolls about 3,300 students and is one of the largest and strongest public high schools in Hamilton County. It reports a graduation rate near 96%, a deep AP catalog, and SAT averages above the state mean. Noblesville pairs solid academics with competitive athletics, robotics, and performing arts, backed by a well-funded district.
Its scale, broad elective offerings, and open enrollment make it a reliable choice for northeast-metro families.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 96%
- Deep AP catalog and strong SAT averages
- Competitive athletics, robotics, and arts
- Well-funded Hamilton County district
Cons:
- Very large enrollment
- Less specialization than magnet programs
Verdict: A dependable large comprehensive school - well-rounded with strong outcomes year after year.
Which One's Right for You?
What to Look For When Choosing a Public High School
- Graduation and college-going rates - A school that graduates 95%+ of students and sends most to four-year colleges signals consistent outcomes, not just high scores from a few.
- AP/IB depth and pass rates - Look beyond how many courses are offered to how many students actually pass the exams, which reflects real classroom rigor.
- Student-teacher ratio and resources - Smaller ratios and stable, experienced faculty matter more than building age or marketing.
- Magnet, charter, or open enrollment - Charters like Herron and magnets like Crispus Attucks offer focused models, while top suburban schools deliver strong outcomes to all zoned families.
- Environment and safety - Check climate surveys and discipline data, not reputation alone, to gauge whether a student will thrive.
- Program fit - A medical magnet, a classical-prep charter, or a STEM-heavy comprehensive school may serve a specific student far better than a higher overall ranking.
What matters less than marketing implies: a school's national ranking number, its newest building, or its average SAT alone. Fit, program access, and a supportive teacher relationship affect a student's outcome far more than a single headline figure.
FAQ
Which public high school is the best overall in the Indianapolis area? Herron High School, a tuition-free public charter in the city core, earns the top spot for its rigorous classical college-prep curriculum, graduation rate above 95%, and strong college matriculation, with open enrollment accessible citywide.
What is the best value public high school in Indianapolis? Carmel High School is our best value - it delivers a graduation rate near 97%, an enormous AP catalog, and nationally competitive programs tuition-free to any zoned family in one of Indiana's strongest districts.
Which Indianapolis-area public high school is best for STEM? Fishers High School stands out for its engineering and STEM pathways, while Carmel and Hamilton Southeastern also offer deep AP science and math catalogs and competitive robotics teams.
Do the top Indianapolis public high schools require an application? The charters and magnets - Herron and Crispus Attucks - use open-enrollment lottery or magnet admission, while suburban schools like Carmel, Zionsville, and Center Grove are open to families in their attendance zones.
Which suburb has the best public high schools near Indianapolis? Carmel and Zionsville in the northern suburbs lead the metro on academics, with Fishers, Hamilton Southeastern, and Center Grove also ranking among the strongest districts in the state.
Is a charter school or a suburban public school better in Indianapolis? It depends on the student: charters like Herron offer a focused, rigorous college-prep model accessible across the city, while suburban schools like Carmel offer enormous AP catalogs and extracurriculars but require living in the attendance zone.
Bottom Line
For Indianapolis-area families, Herron High School is our Best Overall public high school - its classical college-prep model, 95%+ graduation rate, and citywide open enrollment set the standard inside the city core. Carmel High School is our Best Value, delivering a graduation rate near 97% and an enormous AP catalog tuition-free to zoned families.
If your priority is a medical magnet, STEM pathways, or a specific side of the metro, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Crispus Attucks, Fishers, or a suburban district instead. Choose on program fit, outcomes, and access rather than a single ranking number, and your student will be set up to succeed.
Sources
- U.S. News - Best Indiana High Schools rankings
- Niche - Best Public High Schools in the Indianapolis Area
- GreatSchools - Indiana school ratings
- Indiana Department of Education - school data
- College Board - AP program data
- NCES - National Center for Education Statistics school search
- Carmel Clay Schools
- Herron Classical Schools
- Indianapolis Public Schools
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