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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Dekalb County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public schools serving 6,457 students in Dekalb County, IN (there are 2 private schools, serving 596 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Dekalb County, IN are educated in public schools (compared to the IN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Dekalb County, IN are James R Watson Elementary School, Riverdale Elementary School and Dekalb High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dekalb County, IN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the Indiana public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in Dekalb County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Indiana public schools.
Minority enrollment is 10% 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 Dekalb County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
James R Watson Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
901 Eckhart Ave
Auburn, IN 46706
(260) 920-1014
Gr: PK-5 | 590 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #22.
Riverdale Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
6127 Sr 1
Saint Joe, IN 46785
(260) 337-5464
Gr: K-6 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #33.
Dekalb High School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3424 Cr 427
Waterloo, IN 46793
(260) 920-1012
Gr: 9-12 | 1,007 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #44.
Mckenney-harrison Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
400 South Indiana Ave
Auburn, IN 46706
(260) 920-1015
Gr: PK-5 | 620 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #55.
Dekalb Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3338 Cr 427
Waterloo, IN 46793
(260) 920-1013
Gr: 6-8 | 759 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #66.
Garrett High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
801 E Houston St
Garrett, IN 46738
(260) 357-4114
Gr: 9-12 | 553 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #77.
Eastside Junior-senior High School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
603 E Green St
Butler, IN 46721
(260) 868-2186
Gr: 7-12 | 559 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #88.
Country Meadow Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2410 Cr 10
Ashley, IN 46705
(260) 920-1017
Gr: PK-5 | 314 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #99.
J E Ober Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
801 E Houston St
Garrett, IN 46738
(260) 357-3112
Gr: K-5 | 704 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1010.
Waterloo Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
300 E Douglas St
Waterloo, IN 46793
(260) 920-1011
Gr: PK-5 | 247 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1111.
Garrett Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
801 E Houston St
Garrett, IN 46738
(260) 357-5745
Gr: 6-8 | 387 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1212.
Butler Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1025 S Broadway
Butler, IN 46721
(260) 868-2123
Gr: K-6 | 366 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Dekalb County, IN?
The top-ranked public schools in Dekalb County, IN include James R Watson Elementary School, Riverdale Elementary School and Dekalb High School.
How many public schools are located in Dekalb County?
12 public schools are located in Dekalb County.
What percentage of students in Dekalb County go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Dekalb County are educated in public schools (compared to the IN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Dekalb County?
Dekalb County public schools minority enrollment is 10% 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 Dekalb County are often viewed compared to one another?

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