The top reported proficiency rate is 82% in Math. The lowest is 67% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Childs Elementary School
Childs Elementary School sits on Bloomington’s south side, serving pre-kindergarten through sixth grade as part of the Monroe County Community School Corporation. For a family considering this school, the academic picture is clear and the community context is distinct.
On state assessments, Childs posts results that stand out within Monroe County. Across math, English language arts, science, and social studies, the school’s combined proficiency index places it in the top quarter of elementary schools in the county. Math performance is particularly strong, with a large majority of students meeting or exceeding the ILEARN bar. English language arts proficiency is also solid, though somewhat lower than math, a pattern common in many schools. Science and social studies scores are similarly above the district’s midpoint. The participation rate on state tests was very high, lending confidence to the results.
Enrollment at Childs is moderate for an elementary school in this district. The student body is predominantly white, with Asian students making up a meaningful share and smaller but present numbers of Hispanic, Black, and multiracial students. A relatively small share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a comparatively lower level of economic need than is seen at some other district schools. Data on students with individualized education programs and English learners was not available; a parent who wants to understand the school’s special education and English-learner support structures would need to ask the school directly.
Bloomington itself shapes the experience of attending Childs. The city is defined by Indiana University’s large campus, which dominates the local economy and gives Bloomington a young, transient population alongside more settled residential neighborhoods. The broader employment base includes medical-device manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, technology, and health care, giving the area an educated, professional workforce. The school serves a neighborhood of mostly single-family homes; housing values in the 47401 ZIP code are above the Indiana average, and rents are similarly elevated. For a family, this means the school draws from a stable, middle-to-upper-income area.
The school’s grade span ends at sixth grade, so parents will need to plan for a transition to one of the district’s middle schools after that. The district itself did not have any recent major changes publicly reported, so families can expect continuity in the feeder pattern and programming. The school is a regular public school with no charter or magnet designation and no Title I status reported, consistent with its lower level of economic need.
For a family that values strong academic performance, a demographically less diverse peer group, and a neighborhood anchored by a major research university, Childs presents a straightforward option with clear evidence of success on state measures. The soft spot to be aware of is the gap between math and English language arts outcomes, which is not uncommon but is noticeable here. A parent may want to ask the school how it supports literacy growth, particularly for students who come in below the proficiency bar. Overall, the school delivers a high-performing academic experience in a community that is economically robust and culturally defined by the university.
See more original research from School Decision →