The top reported proficiency rate is 10% in Science. The lowest is 6% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Anderson Elementary School
Anderson Elementary School, located in the southern part of Anderson, Indiana, serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade as a regular public school in the Anderson Community School Corp. The school has a large student body for an elementary school, with enrollment roughly balanced across each grade level. The student population is predominantly Hispanic, followed by Black and White students, with a smaller share of students who identify as two or more races. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a sign that many families in the attendance area are managing on lower household incomes. Data for students with disabilities and English learners was not available, which is a gap a parent may want to fill by asking the school directly about its special education and language support programs.
The most defining piece of information about Anderson Elementary is its academic performance on Indiana's ILEARN assessments. Across math, English language arts, science, and social studies, the share of students scoring at the proficient level or above was low. The school's overall proficiency index, which averages performance across all tested subjects and grades, placed it in the bottom quartile when compared to other districts in Madison County. These results represent the most recent testing year's snapshot. The proficiency rates were in the single digits for every subject, a fact any parent should take seriously when evaluating academic preparation for the next grade level. The school did achieve a full participation rate, meaning every enrolled student took the tests, which gives a complete picture of achievement rather than a partial one.
The school operates under Anderson Community School Corp, and while we looked for recent changes or initiatives at the district level that might affect Anderson Elementary, we found little publicly reported that would be of lasting impact to parents. The absence of information does not mean nothing is happening, but a parent would need to contact the district or attend a school board meeting to learn about current priorities such as curriculum shifts, staffing, or facility plans.
Anderson is a mid-sized city with a manufacturing history and a more diversified economy today. The largest employment sectors are health care, manufacturing, and retail trade. Median home values and household incomes position the city as an affordable, working-class community. The housing market around the school reflects that affordability, with home values below national benchmarks and rents that are moderate for the area. The city has seen modest population growth since the last census, and property values have been rising, but not at a pace that would suggest a hot market or rapid displacement. Downtown Anderson has a walkable core with restaurants, cultural venues, and the public library, but the broader city is car-dependent.
For a family considering this school, the main takeaway is clear. Anderson Elementary serves a diverse and economically diverse student body, and the school community is large enough to offer normal elementary experiences such as art, music, and physical education. However, the academic results are a serious concern. The proficiency rates are very low in every tested subject, and the school sits at the bottom of the county's districts in overall performance. A parent should look into what academic interventions and supports the school provides, how the curriculum is structured, and what steps the district is taking to address these results. This is not a school where a family can assume typical grade-level learning is happening for most students. It may fit a family that values a neighborhood school with a diverse peer group and wants to be actively involved in supplementing or advocating for academic progress, but it would not be a first choice for a family seeking strong measured academic outcomes from the school itself.
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