The top reported proficiency rate is 43% in Social studies. The lowest is 27% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Highland Park Elementary School
Highland Park Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Bloomington, Indiana, serving pre-kindergarten through sixth grade as part of the Monroe County Community School Corporation. The school is located in the southwest part of the city, not far from the downtown core and the Indiana University Bloomington campus that anchors the wider community. Bloomington is a mid-sized college city with an economy extending beyond the university into pharmaceuticals, medical devices, advanced manufacturing, technology, and health care, and it has a gold-rated bicycle-friendly designation with a notable trail network that includes the B-Line Trail. Housing in the area is at a moderate price level relative to national benchmarks, and the rental market reflects a mix of student and family demand.
The school enrolls a student body that is predominantly white, with Black and multiracial students each making up about one-tenth of the population and smaller shares of Asian and Hispanic students. A substantial share of students, more than half, qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a community with considerable economic diversity and need. The grade span covers the full elementary range plus a pre-kindergarten program, and the school is not a charter or magnet.
State testing results from the ILEARN assessments show that the share of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards is below the midpoint among districts in Monroe County. In math, about a quarter of students scored proficient or above; in English language arts, just under a third reached that level. Science and social studies, tested at specific grades, showed a similar pattern, with roughly a third of students proficient in science and a share approaching half in social studies. The comparison placing the school in the bottom quartile among the county’s districts is a clear signal that academic proficiency rates are a soft spot. A parent may want to discuss with the school how these results are being addressed, what interventions are in place, and whether the school’s instructional approach aligns with their own expectations. The participation rate on the state tests was very high, so the results reflect nearly all students’ performance.
Because highland park does not serve grades beyond sixth, there is no graduation rate or advanced coursework data to consider. The school’s pathway is focused entirely on elementary and early middle school foundations. No chronic absenteeism data was available in the public record, and the school’s disciplinary climate and staffing characteristics were not reported, so those dimensions are unknown from the data at hand.
The district itself, Monroe County Community School Corporation, operates many elementary schools across the city and surrounding area. A search for recent district-level changes found little of lasting impact to report, so the district’s broader trajectory is stable on the surface.
For a family considering Highland Park Elementary, the central facts are the school’s below-average proficiency compared to nearby districts, its high economic-need population, and its location in a university-anchored city with good amenities and a moderate cost of housing. The peer environment is diverse in income and racial background, and the school’s size is moderate for an elementary. The academic program is standard for an Indiana public elementary school, with no unusual offerings or specialized tracks reported. Parents who prioritize strong absolute test scores or a peer group with high attainment may need to look further into the school’s improvement efforts and supplemental supports. Those who value a neighborhood school integrated into a community with a strong civic infrastructure and a mix of incomes may find it a reasonable fit pending a closer look at classroom practice and school culture.
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