For the 2026-27 school year, there are 11 public preschools serving 7,016 students in Carmel, IN. The top-ranked public preschools in Carmel, IN are College Wood Elementary School, West Clay Elementary School and Prairie Trace Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Carmel, IN public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 77% (versus the Indiana public pre school average of 45%), and reading proficiency score of 67% (versus the 39% statewide average). Pre schools in Carmel have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of Indiana public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Asian), which is less than the Indiana public preschool average of 36% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Carmel, IN (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
College Wood Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
12415 Shelborne Rd
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 733-6430
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 733-6430
Gr: PK-5 | 616 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #22.
West Clay Elementary School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
3495 W 126 St
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 733-6500
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 733-6500
Gr: PK-5 | 580 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #33.
Prairie Trace Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
14200 N River Rd
Carmel, IN 46033
(317) 571-7925
Carmel, IN 46033
(317) 571-7925
Gr: PK-5 | 715 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
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 | 692 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Towne Meadow Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
10850 Towne Rd
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 733-2645
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 733-2645
Gr: PK-5 | 527 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #66.
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 | 666 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #77.
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: #88.
Carmel Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
101 S Richland Ave
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 844-0168
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 844-0168
Gr: PK-5 | 700 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #99.
Woodbrook Elementary School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4311 E 116th St
Carmel, IN 46033
(317) 846-4225
Carmel, IN 46033
(317) 846-4225
Gr: PK-5 | 628 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1010.
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 | 638 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1111.
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 | 543 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Carmel, Indiana Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Hbm Special Education Coop Elementary School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
400 South Guilford Rd
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 571-4027
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 571-4027
Gr: K-2 | 10 students Minority enrollment: 10%
Mosaics School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
400 South Guilford Rd
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 571-7919
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 571-7919
Gr: 1-12 | 62 students Minority enrollment: 13%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Carmel, IN?
The top-ranked public preschools in Carmel, IN include College Wood Elementary School, West Clay Elementary School and Prairie Trace Elementary School. Carmel has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Indiana.
How many public preschools are located in Carmel?
11 public preschools are located in Carmel.
What is the racial composition of students in Carmel?
Carmel public preschools minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Asian), which is less than the Indiana public preschools average of 36% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Carmel are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Carmel include: West Clay Elementary School vs. College Wood Elementary School, College Wood Elementary School vs. West Clay Elementary School, Clay Center Elementary School vs. Smoky Row Elementary School
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