The top reported proficiency rate is 25% in Social studies. The lowest is 15% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Success Academy Primary School
SuccessAcademy Primary School is a charter elementary school in South Bend, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. As a charter, it operates with a degree of autonomy from the traditional public school system, and families choose to send their children here. The school is its own single-school district, meaning there is no larger district administration above it, and the district brief returned no recent parent-relevant changes, so what a family sees from year to year is likely stable on that front.
Academically, the school participates in Indiana’s ILEARN assessments, and the results show that a modest share of students met the state’s proficiency standard in the most recent testing year. Across math, English language arts, science, and social studies, the proportion of students scoring proficient or above was well under a third in each subject. Participation rates on the assessments were high, which means the results reflect nearly all enrolled students rather than a selective sample. The school’s overall proficiency index sits below the middle of the pack when compared with other districts in St. Joseph County. For a parent, this signals that academic attainment is an area where the school is still building its foundation; it may be worth discussing directly with the school what interventions, curriculum supports, or tutoring programs are in place for students who are below grade level.
The student body is diverse and predominantly from low-income households. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Racially, the enrollment is roughly two-fifths Black, just under a third White, about one-sixth two or more races, and a smaller share Hispanic. The school does not report data on students with disabilities or English learners, so a family with a child who has an Individualized Education Program or is learning English would want to ask the school directly about its special education and language support services.
The school is located in South Bend, a mid-sized city that blends residential neighborhoods, a riverfront downtown, and industrial zones. The University of Notre Dame sits just to the north, giving the area a college-town influence alongside working-class and manufacturing roots. Housing in the area is moderately priced relative to national averages, with home values and rents that are below the national median. The city has seen slow, plateaued population growth in recent years. For a family choosing a school, this means the surrounding community offers a range of older homes and rental options, and the city’s infrastructure programs suggest ongoing investment in sidewalks and downtown improvements, but no major new housing boom.
Because Success Academy Primary School serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate and no high school pathway data to consider. The school does not list any specialized academic programs such as magnet themes, dual-language tracks, or gifted offerings in the data provided, so a family seeking a specific program focus may find the academic profile fairly generalized.
The peer environment is shaped by a high share of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, which can mean a school that prioritizes meeting basic needs alongside instruction. The charter status gives families a choice, but the academic results indicate that the school faces challenges common to schools serving high-poverty populations. A parent considering this school should expect an environment with room for academic growth and should feel comfortable asking about the school’s plans for improvement, its approach to student support, and how it partners with families to address learning gaps.
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