Indiana has no single office that runs private education. Each school is owned by its own parish, congregation, Amish community, nonprofit board or private operator, and the state keeps a lighter hand than many families expect. That shapes how you research a school before you enrol a child. This page explains who oversees what, how the map of schools changes between Indianapolis and the farm country of the northeast, and what to check before you call a school office.

How Indiana Regulates and Accredits Nonpublic Schools

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is the state agency that deals with nonpublic schools. A private school in Indiana does not need a state license the way a child care center does. Instead, schools may choose to seek state accreditation through IDOE, and many also hold accreditation from bodies such as Cognia or the Association of Christian Schools International. Accreditation is voluntary in general. It becomes practically necessary if a school wants to enrol students who use state-funded Choice Scholarships.

Compulsory attendance applies to every child, whatever the type of school. In Indiana, a child must be enrolled in school starting at age seven, and a private school can satisfy that duty as long as it keeps attendance records. Private schools also follow state health rules, including immunization requirements overseen with help from the Indiana Department of Health. Local building and fire codes are enforced by city and county officials, not by IDOE.

The practical result is that you have to do more checking yourself. Nobody hands you a single state rating that covers every private school. Before you apply, ask the school office about these points:

Athletics are a separate layer. Many private high schools belong to the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA), which sets eligibility and transfer rules. If your student may change schools during high school, ask about those rules before you enrol.

Metro Indianapolis Versus Amish Country: Regional Differences Across Indiana

Our database holds 672 private school listings, but they are far from evenly spread. Marion County leads with 92, anchored by Indianapolis. Two northeastern counties follow: Elkhart County with 50 and LaGrange County with 46. That surprises many people, who expect the next largest counts around Fort Wayne or the Region near Chicago. Allen County, which includes Fort Wayne, has 45.

The reason is the large Amish population in northern Indiana. Many of the small schools in these counties serve Amish families. Examples in our listings include Cable Line School near Lagrange, Cottonwood Grove School in Topeka, Pleasant Ridge School near Shipshewana, Forks Valley School in Middlebury, Pleasant Valley School near Nappanee and Cloverleaf School near Goshen. Further south, Adams County has Brookside School in Berne and South East Amish School in Geneva.

These schools work differently from a suburban private school. They are usually run by a local board of parents, often teach through eighth grade, and rarely advertise. Brookside School and South East Amish School have no phone number in our records. A missing number does not mean a school has closed. Many Amish schools have no office line, so the best approach is a respectful visit arranged through someone the community knows, or a letter.

The metro picture is different. Hamilton County, north of Indianapolis, has 26 listings, including Carmel Montessori Schools and Eman Schools in Fishers. The northwest corner near Chicago has 41 listings in Lake County and 13 in Porter County, and Avicenna Academy in Crown Point is one of them. Vanderburgh County, home to Evansville, has 16. In these areas you will often find websites, open houses, admissions staff and published tuition schedules.

Catholic, Christian and Independent Schools in Indiana's Larger Cities

In the larger cities, the biggest group of private schools is Catholic. Indiana has five Catholic dioceses: the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and the dioceses of Evansville, Fort Wayne-South Bend, Gary and Lafayette in Indiana. Each sets policies for its parish and high schools, so tuition, parish-member discounts and admission rules differ from one diocese to the next.

Our listings reflect that. In St. Joseph County, which has 35 listings, you will find Our Lady of Hungary School on West Calvert Street in South Bend (574-289-3272) and Marian High School in Mishawaka (574-259-5257). In Evansville, Corpus Christi Catholic School on Hogue Road (812-422-1208) is a Vanderburgh County listing. Central Catholic Jr/Sr High in Lafayette (765-474-2496) serves both junior high and senior high students.

Protestant and other faith-based schools fill much of the rest. Examples include Baptist Academy in Indianapolis (317-788-1587), Elkhart Christian Academy (574-293-1609), Columbus Christian School (812-372-3780), Seymour Christian Academy (812-522-7687), Community Christian School in Richmond (765-935-3215), Clear Creek Christian School in Bloomington (812-824-2567) and Terre Haute Adventist School (812-232-1339). Avicenna Academy in Crown Point (219-736-7100) is among the Lake County listings.

Not every listing is a traditional K-12 school. A name like Park Place Children's Center in Anderson suggests early childhood care. The word Montessori describes a teaching method that is not legally protected, so ask any Montessori school about teacher training and the ages it serves. Treat the phone numbers in our listings as a starting point, and confirm them before you drive across town.

Paying for Private School in Indiana: Choice Scholarships and Other Help

Indiana's Choice Scholarship Program began in 2011 and is among the largest private school voucher programs in the country. It lets eligible families direct state funds toward tuition at participating schools. The legislature widened household income limits substantially in 2023, but rules and dollar amounts change. Confirm current terms with IDOE and with the school's admissions office.

Applications normally run through the school. Expect to provide proof of residency, household income documentation, the child's birth certificate and prior school records. The school then works with the state to confirm eligibility. Because participating schools must meet state requirements, a school's Choice status is a quick way to learn how it is monitored.

Other help exists too. Many parishes and churches discount tuition for members, and Indiana has a school scholarship tax credit that supports scholarship-granting organizations. Ask a tax preparer or the Indiana Department of Revenue about the state income tax deduction for nonpublic school costs, which has its own limits and paperwork.

A sensible way to begin is to pick your county, shortlist three schools and call each one. Ask for the current tuition sheet in writing. Then request a tour while classes are in session, because a working school day tells you more than any brochure.

Private schools in Indiana are licensed and regulated by the state's department of education, which sets minimum standards for safety, curriculum, and accreditation while allowing institutions significant freedom in operations and admissions. Indiana may also offer education savings account or voucher programs that provide public funding assistance to eligible families attending private schools.

Private Schools locations are available in 189 cities across Indiana. They are spread across 82 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration of private schools include Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, reflecting larger population centers where demand for diverse educational options tends to support a wider range of private school institutions.

Families in Indiana exploring private school options should contact each school's admissions office to request a prospectus, schedule a tour, and learn about financial aid availability, as tuition and assistance programs vary significantly from one institution to the next.

Private Schools by Counties

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Families in Indiana comparing private school options should check each school's accreditation status through the state department of education and request standardized test score data, graduation rates, and college placement outcomes. Many private schools in Indiana hold open house events in the fall that are open to prospective families without an appointment.

Browse Private Schools by county across Indiana to find the nearest location.

Timing a Private School Search Around the Indiana Calendar

Indiana school years usually begin between late July and mid-August, and most private schools follow a similar calendar, though each sets its own dates. Catholic schools often open enrollment in winter, and popular schools in the Indianapolis suburbs can fill grades well before summer. If you are moving to Indiana for work, start looking at least six months ahead and ask about waiting lists during your first call.

Winter matters in the northern counties. Lake-effect snow around South Bend and Elkhart can close rural roads, and private schools make their own closure decisions. Some follow the local public district, but others do not. Ask how the school announces closures and whether it runs remote learning days.

When you visit, call first. City parish schools and suburban schools usually run scheduled tours. Small rural schools may not staff an office every day, and Amish schools in LaGrange, Elkhart and Adams counties should be approached with courtesy, ideally through someone the community knows. If you plan to ask about grade placement, bring the child's latest report card, immunization record and birth certificate.

The state does not publish a single ranking of every private school, so your best evidence comes from visiting. Look at class size, teacher turnover, how the principal answers questions, and what current parents tell you. Compare at least three schools before you decide, and get tuition terms in writing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Private Schools in Indiana

Indiana does not license private schools the way it licenses child care centers. Nonpublic schools may seek accreditation through the Indiana Department of Education, and many also use national accreditors such as Cognia or ACSI. Accreditation is voluntary in general, but a school that wants to enrol Choice Scholarship students must meet state requirements, so participation in that program is a useful signal. A school without accreditation is not necessarily poor, especially a small community school, but ask who reviews its curriculum and how it tracks student progress.

The Choice Scholarship Program, started in 2011, helps eligible families pay tuition at participating private schools using state funds. Eligibility depends mainly on household income, and the legislature widened the income limits in 2023. You normally apply through the school you want, which confirms eligibility with the state. Not every private school participates, and award amounts vary. Ask the admissions office whether the school accepts Choice students, what balance you would still owe, and which deadlines apply before you commit to a place.

These northeastern counties have some of the largest Amish communities in Indiana, and Amish families typically run their own parochial schools. Our database lists 50 schools in Elkhart County, 46 in LaGrange County and 32 in Adams County, with names such as Cable Line School, Forks Valley School and Brookside School. These schools are usually small, governed by local parents and often end at eighth grade. Many have no website or office phone, so in-person contact through a local acquaintance is usually the most reliable way to ask questions.

Requirements vary by school, but expect to provide a birth certificate, an immunization record, proof of address and recent report cards or transcripts. Indiana law requires immunizations for school entry, with exemptions for medical and religious reasons, and private schools check the paperwork. Catholic schools may also ask for baptismal records when they offer parish-member rates. Older students often need a transcript and sometimes an entrance assessment. Ask the school office for its checklist in writing, and request records from the previous school early.

Many Indiana private high schools are members of the Indiana High School Athletic Association and compete alongside public schools. Membership is a school decision, though, and some small schools, including most Amish schools, do not offer interscholastic sports at all. Transfer rules also apply. A student who switches schools may face an eligibility review or a waiting period before playing varsity. Ask each school whether it belongs to the IHSAA, and speak with the athletic director about transfer eligibility before you enrol a student-athlete.

In most respects, yes. Indiana law treats a home school as a nonpublic school, so families are not required to register with the state or use an approved curriculum. They are still expected to provide instruction equivalent to what public schools offer and to keep attendance records, commonly for 180 days a year. Part-time enrolment at a private school is a decision each school makes for itself. Because these rules come from state law and can change, confirm the current requirements with the Indiana Department of Education before you start.