For the 2026 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 3,417 students in New Castle, IN (there are 2 private schools, serving 172 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in New Castle, IN are educated in public schools (compared to the IN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in New Castle, IN are James Whitcomb Riley Elementary School, Westwood Elementary School and Wilbur Wright Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
New Castle, IN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the Indiana public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 33% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in New Castle have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Indiana public schools.
Minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Indiana public school average of 38% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Best Public Schools in New Castle, IN (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
James Whitcomb Riley Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1201 Riley Rd
New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 521-7211
New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 521-7211
Gr: PK-6 | 246 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #22.
Westwood Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1015 S Greensboro Pike
New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 521-7215
New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 521-7215
Gr: K-6 | 256 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #33.
Wilbur Wright Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1950 Washington St
New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 521-7217
New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 521-7217
Gr: PK-6 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #44.
Blue River Valley Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4713 N Viking Trail
New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 836-4851
New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 836-4851
Gr: PK-6 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #55.
Eastwood Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
806 S 22nd St
New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 521-7205
New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 521-7205
Gr: PK-6 | 257 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #66.
New Castle High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
801 Parkview Dr
New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 593-6670
New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 593-6670
Gr: 9-12 | 828 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #77.
Blue River Valley Jr-sr High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4741 N Viking Trail
New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 836-4811
New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 836-4811
Gr: 7-12 | 289 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #88.
New Castle Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
601 Parkview Dr
New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 521-7230
New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 521-7230
Gr: 6-8 | 627 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #99.
Parker Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1819 Roosevelt
New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 521-7209
New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 521-7209
Gr: PK-5 | 278 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: n/an/a
New Castle Area Vocational School
Vocational School
801 Parkview Dr
New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 593-6680
New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 593-6680
Gr: 6-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in New Castle, IN?
The top-ranked public schools in New Castle, IN include James Whitcomb Riley Elementary School, Westwood Elementary School and Wilbur Wright Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in New Castle?
10 public schools are located in New Castle.
What percentage of students in New Castle go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in New Castle are educated in public schools (compared to the IN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in New Castle?
New Castle public schools minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Indiana public schools average of 38% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public schools in New Castle are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in New Castle include: Parker Elementary School vs. Wilbur Wright Elementary School, Wilbur Wright Elementary School vs. Parker Elementary School, Blue River Valley Jr-sr High School vs. New Castle High School
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.
