Carmel Clay Schools continues to lead Indiana in student achievement, according to a recent comprehensive national analysis highlighted by The New York Times, which used data from the Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford.

The study analyzed third through eighth grade testing data from 2015 through 2025 across school districts in 40 states and Washington, D.C., representing approximately 68 percent of school districts nationwide. While the report noted national academic declines in the years following the pandemic, Carmel Clay Schools remained the top-performing school district in Indiana among districts included in the dataset.

The analysis found that Carmel Clay Schools students continue to perform nearly three grade levels above the national average in both reading and math.

Reading performance shifted from approximately 3 grade levels above average in 2015 to 2.7 grade levels above average in 2025, while math moved from 3 grade levels above average to 2.9 grade levels above average over the same period.

Nationally, the report found reading scores declined in 83 percent of school districts and math scores declined in 70 percent. In one in three districts across the country, students are now reading a full grade level below where students performed in 2015.

Education researchers cited a variety of factors contributing to nationwide declines, including lingering impacts of the pandemic, increased absenteeism, and changing student habits with technology and reading. Researchers noted that fewer students report regularly reading for fun and that increased screen time may affect focus, persistence, and independent reading habits.

While Carmel Clay Schools is encouraged by its continued standing as Indiana’s highest-performing district in the report, district leaders say the data also reinforces the importance of maintaining strong instructional practices, meaningful relationships, balanced technology use, and a continued focus on literacy and student engagement.

“Our students, staff, and families should be incredibly proud of these results,” said Dr. Thomas Oestreich. “At a time when school districts across the country are navigating significant academic challenges, Carmel Clay Schools continues to demonstrate what is possible through high expectations, dedicated educators, supportive families, and a community that values education.”