The top reported proficiency rate is 37% in Math. The lowest is 27% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Concord West Side Elem School
Concord West Side Elementary serves kindergarten through fourth grade as part of the Concord Community Schools district in Elkhart, Indiana. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and it sits within a mid-sized industrial city known as the RV Capital of the World, with significant manufacturing employment and a downtown core that includes the Lerner Theatre and the Midwest Museum of American Art. The school is located on Mishawaka Road, on the west side of the city. Families considering this school should know that its student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial share of students who identify as white, a smaller share who identify as Black, and smaller numbers identifying with other racial groups. The share of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch is high, indicating that this school serves a community with many households facing economic stress.
State testing results are available for Concord West Side, and they show a mixed picture. On the Indiana ILEARN assessments, the share of students scoring proficient or above in math was below the midpoint among districts in Elkhart County, based on a combined proficiency index across tested subjects. In English language arts, the proficiency rate was roughly a quarter of students. In science, where only fourth graders test, the proficiency rate was in a similar range, with about three in ten students meeting the bar. The school’s overall proficiency index places it below the midpoint when compared to other schools within the county. A parent considering Concord West Side may want to look into this further with the school to understand how instruction is being developed and what supports are available for students who are not yet on grade level.
The school environment and access data, including chronic absenteeism, discipline, and course access, were not available in the data provided. The same is true for staffing information and attendance rates. The school’s special education and English learner counts were not reported, though the demographic profile and free-lunch eligibility suggest a student population with diverse academic and social needs.
Elkhart’s economy has been historically tied to recreational vehicle manufacturing and musical instrument production, and while the city has seen major employers like Bayer pull out, the district recently completed significant capital projects funded by a referendum, including facility improvements. That investment speaks to ongoing attention to the physical learning environment, even as academic results suggest the school is working to lift performance. The housing market in the area shows home values somewhat below the national median, with rents also lower than the national figure, making it a relatively more affordable area compared to many parts of the country.
For a family, Concord West Side Elementary offers a small grade-band elementary school in a manufacturing-based city with economic diversity. The student body is majority Hispanic and low-income, and the school’s test results indicate that many students are below proficiency in core subjects. The broader district has been investing in its facilities, but the academic data leaves open questions about the depth of support for students who need to catch up. A parent weighing this school should ask directly about interventions in reading and math, and about how the school serves its English learner population and students from economically stressed households. No data on graduation rates is available because the school serves only elementary grades.
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