Dearborn County
Public schools in Dearborn County, Indiana total 14, with combined enrollment of about 7,326 students against a county population of 51,094. That breaks down as 7 elementary, 3 middle, and 3 high.
4-year change in Dearborn County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25How Dearborn County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Indiana | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 7,326 | #33 of 91 | #1,016 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 13 | #41 of 91 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 15.5:1 | #66 of 91 | #1,918 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 33.2% | #87 of 91 | #2,318 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 13.9% | #74 of 91 | #2,388 of 2,707 |
Dearborn County school rankings
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Dearborn County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
Test scores in Dearborn County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 9 schools ranked. Indiana state average: 39.2%.
- North Dearborn Elementary School· 59.6%
- Dillsboro Elementary School· 50.7%
- East Central Middle School· 49.6%
- Bright Elementary School· 48.3%
- Central Elementary School· 43.1%
- Aurora Elementary School· 28.3%
- Greendale Middle School· 34.3%
- South Dearborn Middle School· 34.6%
- Manchester Elementary School· 37.7%
- Central Elementary School· 43.1%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Central High School | St Leon | High | 09-12 | 1,225 | · |
| East Central Middle School | St Leon | Middle | 06-08 | 803 | · |
| North Dearborn Elementary School | West Harrison | Elementary | PK-05 | 793 | · |
| Lawrenceburg High School | Lawrenceburg | High | 09-12 | 716 | · |
| South Dearborn High School | Aurora | High | 09-12 | 625 | · |
| Bright Elementary School | Lawrenceburg | Elementary | KG-05 | 534 | · |
| Lawrenceburg Primary School | Lawrenceburg | Elementary | PK-02 | 531 | · |
| Aurora Elementary School | Aurora | Elementary | PK-06 | 524 | · |
| Central Elementary School | Lawrenceburg | Elementary | 03-05 | 438 | · |
| Greendale Middle School | Lawrenceburg | Middle | 06-08 | 437 | · |
| South Dearborn Middle School | Aurora | Middle | 07-08 | 288 | · |
| Dillsboro Elementary School | Dillsboro | Elementary | KG-06 | 267 | · |
| Manchester Elementary School | Aurora | Elementary | KG-06 | 145 | · |
| Ripley-Ohio-Dearborn Special Ed Coop | Sunman | Combined | PK-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Dearborn County
About Dearborn County
Across the small Indiana county of Dearborn County of about 51,094 residents, the public-school footprint covers 14 schools and about 7,326 students.
For perspective, census numbers show the median household earns about $84,735 a year, roughly 25% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 5% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 21% meaningfully above the Indiana median.
For a sense of the school types, Dearborn County is built around 7 elementary schools (3,232 students), 3 middle schools (1,528), 3 high schools (2,566), and 1 combined or other schools.
Sunman-Dearborn Com Sch Corp is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 3,355 students across Dearborn County.
Looking at the last 4 years. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment held roughly steady: 7,419 students in SY 2020-21 versus 7,326 in SY 2024-25.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Dearborn County discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.