The top reported proficiency rate is 26% in English language arts. The lowest is 11% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Premier Arts Academy
Premier Arts Academy is a public charter school district in Elkhart County, Indiana, serving kindergarten through eighth grade. It opened its doors in fall 2023, making it a very new option for families in the area. The school was authorized by Ball State University and offers a tuition-free, arts-integrated, project-based curriculum, a deliberate departure from the traditional district model. This single-school district currently enrolls a modest number of students across kindergarten through sixth grade; the seventh and eighth grades are scheduled to be added in subsequent years as the school expands its grade span annually. The district brief notes strong demand, with a long waitlist and consideration of adding another kindergarten classroom.
Because Premier Arts Academy does not serve high school, it has no graduation rate to report. The academic picture comes from the Indiana ILEARN assessments administered in 2024-25, which cover students in grades three through eight. Across tested subjects, the proficiency rates fell below the midpoint among Elkhart County's districts. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or above was lower than most neighboring districts. In English language arts, a slightly larger share met the proficiency bar, though still below the county median. Science results followed a similar pattern, and in the fifth-grade social studies assessment, the proficiency rate was especially low. These are early results for a school in only its second year of operation, and the district brief indicates the school is still building out its program. A parent considering Premier Arts Academy may want to ask how the school plans to address these achievement levels and what supports are in place for students who are not yet meeting benchmarks.
The student body is racially and ethnically diverse. A majority of students are white, with substantial populations of Hispanic students and Black students, and a notable share of students identifying as two or more races. Information on the share of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, students with disabilities, and English learners was not available in the data provided. The school has not yet reported chronic absenteeism rates or per-pupil spending, both of which would give a fuller picture of the learning environment and resource allocation.
As a new charter school, Premier Arts Academy represents a different kind of public school choice in Elkhart County. Its arts-integrated, project-based model sets it apart from the traditional public schools in the area. The school’s rapid enrollment growth and waitlist suggest that many families see value in that approach, whatever the early test results show. For a family drawn to a hands-on, creative curriculum and willing to be part of a young school still finding its footing, this could be a compelling fit. For those who prioritize top-tier standardized test scores above all else, the current results may give pause. The school’s trajectory is still being written, and its performance will clarify over the next few years as it matures and its students move through the grades.
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