The top reported proficiency rate is 33% in Science. The lowest is 21% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Lawrence County Independent Schools
Lawrence County Independent Schools is a public charter school in Bedford, Indiana, serving kindergarten through eighth grade. It opened in 2020, created by local parents, teachers, and community members who wanted a new public school option in a county that had not had one before. The school is small, with an enrollment of about that size for a K-8 building, and it operates as a tuition-free, open-enrollment school, meaning any student in the area can attend. Because it is a charter, it has its own governing board and curricular decisions separate from the traditional district schools in Lawrence County.
The school sits in Bedford, a county seat whose identity is tied to limestone quarrying—it is known as the Limestone Capital of the World—but whose economy is broader, with major employers in manufacturing, healthcare, and retail. Housing values in the area are below the state and national benchmarks, a point a family considering a move may weigh against the school’s other attributes. The city has a historic courthouse square district, a public library, parks, and some civic infrastructure investments from a Stellar Communities designation, but no public transit system of note and no interstate highway close by. The community is modest in size and has seen gradual population growth.
On state assessments, Lawrence County Independent Schools’ proficiency rates are below the midpoint among districts in Lawrence County for the subjects and grades tested. In math and English language arts, the share of students scoring proficient or above is lower than the county median, and in science and social studies it is also on the softer side. A parent considering this school will want to look into this further with the school—ask how the school approaches instruction and what trends it sees—particularly because these results come from only a few years of operation and reflect a relatively small tested population. The school participates in the ILEARN state testing program, and participation rates were high, so the results are representative of the student body.
The peer environment is shaped by the school’s demographics. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the school participates in the Community Eligibility Provision, meaning all enrolled students receive free breakfast and lunch regardless of household income. That eliminates meal costs as a factor for families. The student body is predominantly white, with small shares of Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial students, and a very small number of American Indian students. The school does not serve high school grades, so no graduation rate is reported; a family whose child would eventually need a high school will need to plan for the transition, as LCIS ends at eighth grade.
The school’s curriculum is a deliberate point of distinction. It follows Indiana Academic Standards but adds Singapore Mathematics in upper grades, specific ELA programs, and project-based STEAM learning that includes Amazon Future Engineers. It also integrates social-emotional learning programs at different grade levels. The school promotes a small student-to-teacher ratio, though precise staffing ratios are not reported in the available data. The school’s founding narrative emphasizes school choice and family involvement, and the charter status gives it flexibility in its approach.
For a family in or moving to Lawrence County, Lawrence County Independent Schools offers an alternative to the traditional district schools. It is small, relatively new, and built around a specific curricular model that includes a strong STEM and project-based emphasis. The academic results on state tests are behind the county average, which is a gap that warrants conversation with the school about its instructional strategies and improvement plans. The K-8 span means a student would leave after eighth grade, and the family would need to choose a high school—likely one of the traditional public high schools in the county or another option. The free lunch program removes a cost barrier, and the charter’s open-enrollment policy means any resident can apply. The housing market in Bedford is affordable relative to the state, which may be a factor for families considering a move. The school’s youth means it is still establishing its track record, and families who value a newer, choice-driven environment with a defined pedagogical identity may find it a good fit, while those prioritizing top-tier test scores among county peers will want to examine the data closely.
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