The top reported proficiency rate is 72% in Math. The lowest is 29% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Jimtown Intermediate School
Jimtown Intermediate School is a regular public school in the Baugo Community Schools district, serving third through sixth grade. The school sits within the city of Elkhart, a mid-sized industrial city known as the “RV Capital of the World” and a historic center for musical instrument manufacturing. The local economy has long been tied to recreational vehicle production and related manufacturing, making it sensitive to broader economic cycles, though downtown revitalization efforts and cultural anchors such as the Lerner Theatre and the Midwest Museum of American Art provide some civic depth. The school itself is located outside the downtown core in an area that blends residential neighborhoods with the commercial strips common to the region. The district, Baugo Community Schools, has no major parent-relevant changes publicly reported in recent years.
Academically, Jimtown Intermediate’s performance across tested subjects is a clear point of strength. On the state’s ILEARN assessments, the school’s overall proficiency index, combining math, English language arts, science, and social studies, sits in the top quartile among all districts in Elkhart County. Math proficiency is the standout area, with a strong share of students reaching the proficient or above level. English language arts also shows a solid majority meeting the bar, though the rate is lower than math. Science and social studies proficiency are more modest; about half of tested students reached proficiency in science, while social studies results are lower, with just over a quarter of fifth graders meeting the standard. Because the school only serves grades three through six, there is no high school graduation rate to consider, and the grade band means course offerings are focused on foundational academic instruction rather than advanced placement, career, or dual-credit pathways.
The student body is predominantly white, with a Latino population making up a noticeably smaller but still sizable share, and a small number of Asian, Black, and multiracial students. The free or reduced-price lunch eligibility rate is modest relative to many public schools, indicating a mix of economic backgrounds in the building. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported in the available information, so a parent who needs to understand those support structures would want to follow up directly with the school. The school’s size is moderate for an intermediate-grade building, with enrollment spread fairly evenly across third through sixth grade. Academic participation rates on state tests were near universal, suggesting strong attendance on testing days.
The community context matters for families weighing housing and daily life. Housing values in the area are at a level that is broadly aligned with the statewide median, and rental costs are moderate. The city’s employment base is heavily weighted toward manufacturing, with major employers including Forest River, Thor Motor Coach, and Conn-Selmer. The Elkhart Amtrak station provides regional rail connections, and the Indiana Toll Road and US 20 offer highway access. The city’s built environment includes a historic downtown district, but street life and walkability are concentrated there rather than distributed across all neighborhoods. For a family moving to the area, the housing market offers a range of options, though the cyclical nature of the local economy is something to keep in mind.
Overall, Jimtown Intermediate School delivers a strong academic floor, particularly in math and ELA, compared to other schools in the county. The student body is economically mixed, the setting is suburban-industrial, and the district appears stable. Families who value solid core instruction in a mid-tier housing market with a manufacturing-driven local economy will find this school a well-performing option within its grade band. Parents concerned about science and social studies outcomes, or who need specific special education or English learner support, should ask the school directly for details, since those data were not available in this profile.
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