This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.
Four Bloomington-area schools made the list for the U.S. News & World Report’s Best K-8 Schools in Indiana for 2026.
The annual ranking details the best elementary and middle schools in the state based on student proficiency and scores in math and reading while incorporating test results in the context of socioeconomic demographics, according to the outlet. The ranking considers public and charter schools.
For public schools, Childs Elementary School in Bloomington was ranked the No. 9 elementary school in the state. Jackson Creek Middle School was ranked the No. 8 middle school.
For charter schools, the Project School in Bloomington ranked No. 1 in the state, while Seven Oaks in Ellettsville ranked No. 4.
Which Monroe County elementary schools made the list?
Only one public school, Childs Elementary in Bloomington, made the U.S. News and World Report’s list for the top 25 elementary schools in Indiana.
Childs Elementary, located on the southeast side of Bloomington, is one of 14 elementary schools within the Monroe County Community School Corp.
There are 446 students enrolled at Childs Elementary as of the state’s 2025 headcount.
Which Monroe County middle schools made the list?
Jackson Creek Middle School is the only public school in Monroe County to make the top 25 middle schools list.
Jackson Creek is one of three middle schools within the Monroe County Community School Corp.
There are 572 students enrolled at Jackson Creek as of the state’s 2025 headcount.
Which Monroe County charter schools made the list?
The Project School, a charter school serving grades kindergarten through eighth grade in downtown Bloomington, ranked No. 1 on the U.S. News and World Report’s rankings for the best charter schools in Indiana.
The Project School emphasizes project and activity-based learning, immersive arts education and utilizes multi-age classrooms, according to its website.
Seven Oaks, a “classical” charter school serving grades kindergarten through 12th grade in Ellettsville, ranked No. 4 on the list for best charter schools in Indiana.
Seven Oaks emphasizes a “rigorous classical education in the liberal arts and sciences” that’s focused on active learning and excellence in fields like science, grammar, rhetoric and music, according to its website. Seven Oaks is a direct partner of Hillsdale College, a conservative Christian college in Michigan that’s pioneered efforts to cultivate “classical” charter schools throughout the country.
As charters, both The Project School and Seven Oaks are available to attend free of charge. However, these schools often have more limited space for new students relative to area public schools.
What other public and charter schools in Indiana made the list?
According to the U.S. News & World Report ranking, the 25 best elementary schools in Indiana are:
The 25 best middle schools in Indiana are:
The 25 best charter schools in Indiana are:
Reach Brian Rosenzweig at brian@heraldt.com. Follow him on X/Twitter at @brianwritesnews.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Four Bloomington-area schools ranked top elementary, middle, charter schools in the state
Reporting by Brian Rosenzweig, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
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