The top reported proficiency rate is 31% in Math. The lowest is 15% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Bristol Elementary School
Bristol Elementary School is a regular public school serving prekindergarten through sixth grade in the town of Bristol, part of Elkhart Community Schools in Elkhart County. It enrolls a student body that reflects the area's demographic mix, with a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The school is not a charter or magnet and sits within a district facing significant financial headwinds, a context families evaluating this school need to understand.
State testing results from the most recent school year show that proficiency rates across the tested subjects lag behind the typical performance for the county. On the Illinois Learning and Assessment of Readiness (ILEARN), the share of students meeting proficiency standards in math and English language arts was below the midpoint among Elkhart County districts when measured by an overall proficiency index. The same pattern held for science and social studies, where only a modest minority of students scored at the proficient level. These results provide a clear picture: academic performance at Bristol is on the lower side relative to neighboring schools. A parent may want to discuss with the school what interventions and supports are in place to raise achievement.
Because the school serves only through sixth grade, there is no graduation rate to report, and data on chronic absenteeism was not available for this profile. Information on staffing, discipline, and course access is likewise absent from the data provided, so a complete picture of the school environment is not possible from these sources alone.
The student population is diverse. White students make up the largest group, followed by a sizable Hispanic enrollment, and smaller shares of students who identify as two or more races, Black, and Asian. More than half of the students come from families with low enough incomes to qualify for federal meal assistance. This economic context matters because it can correlate with additional supports and also with the challenges a school must address.
Bristol itself is a small town in Elkhart County with a historic core along Vistula Street. It has an opera house, a historical museum housed in the former Bristol High School, a public library, and parks along the St. Joe River that offer kayak access. Housing values in the area have appreciated and are above the statewide typical level, reflecting demand in the broader county market. The town is slowly growing, and its wastewater treatment plant is being renovated to accommodate future residential and commercial expansion, including a referenced innovation park.
The larger context is Elkhart Community Schools, the district operating Bristol Elementary. The district has been experiencing a steady decline in enrollment over the past decade and is projecting serious budget shortfalls. In response, it is pursuing a rightsizing plan that could involve closing or consolidating schools. The district's own materials directly raise the question of whether schools like Bristol will remain open. This makes the school's long-term stability an open issue for families choosing whether to enroll. The district's financial trajectory is the most consequential factor hanging over Bristol Elementary, more so than its current test scores or program offerings.
No program offerings, magnet tracks, or special instructional models were listed for this school. The data did not indicate whether it receives Title I funding, though the share of students on meal assistance suggests it likely does.
In sum, Bristol Elementary sits in a pleasant small town with above-state-average housing costs, but its academic results are below typical county performance, and its district's financial crisis raises the real possibility of future closure or reorganization. A parent considering this school should investigate what academic supports are available and closely follow the district's rightsizing decisions.
See more original research from School Decision →