Southwest School Corporation, IN

Original Research by School Decision on Southwest School Corporation

Southwest School Corporation serves a rural stretch of Sullivan County, Indiana, from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district draws from several small communities, including Carlisle, Fairbanks, Merom, Oaktown, and the county seat of Sullivan. Housing values in these areas vary, with the district-wide weighted average falling below the state benchmark, and year-over-year price growth has been modest. The district operates five schools: two elementary schools in Carlisle and Sullivan, a middle school in each of those towns, and a single high school in Sullivan.

The student body is overwhelmingly white, with small shares of Hispanic, multiracial, Black, and Asian students. Enrollment is spread fairly evenly across the elementary and middle grades, with a slight dip in the high school years. The district serves pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, and the grade-by-grade counts suggest a stable population rather than one that is rapidly growing or shrinking. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch was not available, nor were counts of students with disabilities or English learners, so a parent would want to ask the district directly about the level of economic need and the availability of specialized supports.

On the 2024-25 ILEARN assessments, which Indiana administers to students in grades three through eight, the district's proficiency rates were below the state average in both math and English language arts. In science, the rate was higher, and in social studies, it was lower. The district's overall proficiency index, which averages results across tested subjects and grades, placed it in the top quartile among Sullivan County's two districts, meaning it outperformed the other district in the county. That is a narrow comparison, and a parent should note that the county has only two districts, so the top quartile position reflects a single comparison. Chronic absenteeism, at a rate that was lower than the county median, was a relative strength.

The district's per-pupil current spending was in the upper range among the county's two districts. No graduation rate was available in the data, so a parent looking at the high school would want to ask the district directly for that figure. The district's website and public records did not yield information on recent referendums, curriculum changes, budget shifts, or construction projects, so it is unclear whether any major changes are underway.

Housing in the district's coverage area is generally affordable relative to the state. The weighted average home value is below the Indiana benchmark, and the estimated monthly mortgage payment, based on a typical down payment and the prevailing interest rate, is modest. The communities served are small and rural, and the district is the primary public education provider for the area. A family moving into Sullivan County and comparing the two districts will see that Southwest School Corporation's academic proficiency numbers, while below state averages, are the stronger of the two local options. The chronic absenteeism rate is also lower than the other district's, which may reflect a more stable attendance environment. The student population is not diverse, and the district does not appear to have a large share of English learners or students with disabilities based on the available data, though those counts were not reported. A parent considering this district should expect a traditional rural school system with modest test results and should seek out specific information on high school outcomes, special education services, and any recent program changes directly from the district office.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

1,801

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 2%

Black 1%

White 95%

Asian 0%

Two+ 2%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

16%

25%

Gr 4

28%

36%

Gr 5

28%

40%

Gr 6

21%

42%

Gr 7

24%

39%

Gr 8

38%

52%

Math

Gr 3

20%

44%

Gr 4

38%

55%

Gr 5

33%

62%

Gr 6

19%

51%

Gr 7

23%

52%

Gr 8

19%

38%

Science

Gr 4

28%

42%

Gr 6

33%

58%

Social studies

Gr 5

23%

36%

Schools in this District

5 schools are officially reported under this district.

Carlisle Elementary School

Sullivan Elementary School

Sullivan High School

Sullivan Middle School

Carlisle Middle School

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

1 grade reported

37%

Grades 3-8

English Language Arts

1 grade reported

32%

Grades 3-8

Science

1 grade reported

41%

Grades 3-8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

28%

Grade 5

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$161,880

Year-over-year change+3.4%

Range across 6 ZIP codes$140K to $178K

vs. state typical0.63x

vs. national typical0.44x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (6 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
47882	Sullivan	$174K	+5.2%	44.7%
47838	Carlisle	$156K	+2.2%	29.0%
47861	Merom	$140K	+2.1%	17.8%
47879		$157K	-0.7%	5.2%
47849	Fairbanks	$178K	+6.1%	2.0%
47561	Oaktown	$172K	-0.3%	1.2%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$817/mo

Home price / national median income1.9x

Comparison

State typical home value$256,584 (+3.0% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.