Best Public Schools in Central, IN

Central, Indiana has exactly one public school—Heth-Washington Elementary School—an elementary school serving grades PK–6 with 162 students in the South Harrison Com Schools district, so there are no other local public schools to compare within the city. Its rank improved from 554 of 1011 in 2023–2024 to 449 of 1005 in 2024–2025 and 425 of 1015 in 2025–2026, with stars rising from 2 to 3.

Science is a clear strength: in 2025–2026, all-grade science proficiency was 61.9%, well above the district’s 46.94%. Grade-level science also stood out, with 6th grade at 72.73% versus district 46.58% and state 41.2%, and 4th grade at 50% versus district 47.28% and state 43.8%. Social studies was strong in 5th grade at 63.64%, above district 49.44% and state 47.2%. Upper-grade ELA was solid, with 4th grade at 60% and 6th grade at 63.64%, both above district and state. Sixth-grade math was 59.09%, compared with district 43.84% and state 40.2%. Chronic absenteeism was 14.9%, lower than district 18.9% and state 16.7%.

Areas to watch include early-grade ELA and math. In 2025–2026, 3rd grade ELA was 8.7% versus district 51.64% and state 40.8%, and 3rd grade math was 21.74% versus district 60.49% and state 51.9%. Fifth-grade math was 27.27%, below district 35.32% and state 42%. Overall math was 35.63%, below district 45.05% and down from 42.39% in 2024–2025. Overall ELA was 41.38%, below district 51.89%, though slightly up from 40.22%. With only 162 students, grade-level percentages can shift sharply. Per-student spending was $13,593, and the student-teacher ratio was 16.2, but no district or state comparators were provided.