The top reported proficiency rate is 69% in Math. The lowest is 60% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Carey Ridge Elementary School
Carey Ridge Elementary School serves students from prekindergarten through fourth grade in Westfield, Indiana, within the Westfield-Washington Schools district. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and sits in a rapidly growing northern suburb of Indianapolis that has tripled in population over roughly two decades. The school’s enrollment places it among the larger elementary schools in the district for its grade band, drawing families from the surrounding subdivisions and newly annexed areas of southern Washington Township.
Academically, Carey Ridge posts strong results on Indiana’s ILEARN assessments. Proficiency rates in math, English language arts, and science all land above the midpoint of what the state reports, and the school’s overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades ranks in the top quartile when compared with other elementary schools in Hamilton County. That means a student at Carey Ridge is, on the whole, performing at a level that is above the typical peer school in this well-resourced suburban county. The school’s participation rate on state tests was very high, reflecting a consistent testing environment. Because the school only goes through fourth grade, there is no graduation rate to report, and chronic absenteeism data was not available in the records we reviewed.
The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial share of White students, and smaller but visible populations of Hispanic students, students who identify as two or more races, Black students, and Asian students. About a fifth of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a figure that is relatively low compared to state averages but still means one in five families faces some economic pressure. The district did not report data on the share of students with individualized education programs or English learner status, so a parent seeking that information would want to ask the school directly.
Westfield itself is defined by rapid growth. The city has added tens of thousands of residents over the past two decades, driven in large part by master-planned subdivisions and the massive Grand Park Sports Campus, which draws visitors from across the region. The local economy leans on sports tourism, health care, and the school district itself as a major employer. Downtown Westfield has a restaurant corridor along Main Street, but the built environment is largely suburban and car-dependent. Housing values in the area are well above the national median, and rents are correspondingly high, which shapes the demographic profile of who can live here and attend Carey Ridge.
The district has been responding to growth pressures. In 2024, the school board approved a bond issue to fund operations, teacher compensation, safety upgrades, mental health services, and academic programming, which district leaders described as cost-neutral for taxpayers because it replaces expiring debt. More directly relevant to this school, an elementary attendance zone review is underway due to capacity imbalances created by rapid enrollment growth. Any boundary changes would take effect no earlier than the 2026-2027 school year, meaning families living near Carey Ridge today should watch for potential reassignments. The district is also planning to open a new career and technical education high school option in fall 2026, but that affects high school students, not the elementary families this school serves.
Carey Ridge offers a solid academic foundation in a school that is performing well relative to its county peers. Its location in a fast-growing, amenity-rich suburb means the surrounding community is dynamic and relatively affluent, though the cost of housing is a real barrier for many families. The main open questions for a parent considering this school would be about special education supports, English learner services, and how the coming boundary review might affect their attendance area. Those are matters best taken up directly with the school or district office.
See more original research from School Decision →