Listen Live
An empty classroom in the school

Source: baona / Getty

Back to School in a Big Way: Indiana’s Largest High Schools Gear Up for Fall 2025

As summer winds down and backpacks come back out, families across Indiana are preparing for the return of early mornings, school buses, and packed hallways.

But at some high schools, “packed” is an understatement.

From Carmel to Warren Central, Indiana is home to some of the largest public high schools in the Midwest—each with thousands of students getting ready to kick off the 2025–2026 school year.

Whether you’re a freshman stepping into one of these massive campuses for the first time or a senior counting down the days to graduation, back-to-school season at these high schools is an event of its own.

With enrollments topping 3,000—and even reaching over 5,000 at some schools—these institutions operate more like small cities than traditional classrooms, buzzing with energy, ambition, and opportunity.

In this post, we’re breaking down the 20 most populated high schools in Indiana and when each one officially heads back to class.

From early start dates in late July to first bells in mid-August, understanding each school’s schedule is key for students, parents, and anyone trying to stay one step ahead this fall.

Whether you’re prepping for your first day or just curious about the size and scale of Indiana’s biggest schools, this back-to-school guide has everything you need to know.

RELATED: IPS parents and students gear up for back-to-school with Back to School Night

Indiana Top 20 Largest High Schools  was originally published on wtlcfm.com

1. Indiana Connections Academy (Indianapolis) – 5,475 students (K–12)

2. Carmel High School (Carmel) – 5,200

3. Penn High School (Mishawaka) – ~3,847

4. Warren Central High School (Indianapolis) – 3,398

5. Fishers High School (Fishers) – 3,664

6. North Central H.S. (Indianapolis) – 3,616

7. Avon High School (Avon) – 3,480

8. Hamilton Southeastern H.S. (Fishers) – 3,445

9. Franklin Central H.S. (Indianapolis) – 3,381

10. Brownsburg H.S. (Brownsburg) – 3,318

11. Ben Davis H.S. (Indianapolis) – 3,274

12. Noblesville H.S. (Noblesville) – 3,227

13. Elkhart H.S. (Elkhart) – 3,195

14. Pike H.S. (Indianapolis) – 3,193

15. Indiana Gateway Digital Academy (Clarksville) – 3,107

16. Crown Point H.S. (Crown Point) – 2,998

17. Lake Central H.S. (St. John) – 2,992

18. Center Grove H.S. (Greenwood) – 2,893

19. Lawrence North H.S. (Indianapolis) – 2,832

20. Westfield H.S. (Westfield) – 2,798