The top reported proficiency rate is 33% in Math. The lowest is 6% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Cleveland Elementary School
Cleveland Elementary School serves kindergarten through sixth grade in the Elkhart Community Schools district, located on the outskirts of Elkhart, Indiana. The school is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and it sits within a district that is navigating a difficult financial period. Elkhart Community Schools has seen a steady decline in enrollment over the past decade and is projecting significant budget deficits, leading to a “rightsizing” process that could involve school closures or consolidations. The district’s own materials have publicly raised the question of whether specific schools will remain open, making the district’s financial stability a live concern for any family considering Cleveland Elementary.
The school itself serves kindergarten through sixth grade and has a sizable enrollment for an elementary building. Its student body is diverse. A majority of students are white, with a substantial share of Black students, a smaller but still notable share of Hispanic students, and a similar share of students who identify as two or more races. A small number of Asian students are also enrolled. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a population with significant economic need.
On state assessments, Cleveland Elementary’s results are below the midpoint among districts in Elkhart County when measured by an overall proficiency index that averages performance across tested subjects and grades. In math, roughly a third of students scored at the proficient level or above. In English language arts, just over a quarter of students reached that bar. Science proficiency was similar, with about a quarter of students meeting the standard. Social studies, which is tested only in fifth grade, showed a very low proficiency rate. These are the school’s most recent results from Indiana’s ILEARN assessments, and they represent a soft spot in the school’s academic profile. A parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand what supports are in place.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Data on special education identification and English learner status was not available in the source data, nor were chronic absenteeism or discipline figures. The school’s participation rate on the math and English language arts tests was high, which means nearly all enrolled students were tested, giving a complete picture of performance.
Cleveland Elementary sits within the Elkhart Community Schools district, which is in the middle of a difficult financial restructuring. The district has seen a steady enrollment decline over the past decade and is projecting a significant cash deficit if no changes are made. It is pursuing a “rightsizing” plan that could lead to school closures or consolidations. The district’s own materials have publicly addressed whether specific schools will remain open, making the long-term stability of any given building a question families may want to track.
The school is located in Elkhart, a mid-sized industrial city known as the RV Capital of the World and a center for musical instrument manufacturing. Major employers include Forest River, Thor Motor Coach, Conn-Selmer, and NIBCO. The city has a historic downtown with the Lerner Theatre and the Midwest Museum of American Art, and it sits at the confluence of the St. Joseph and Elkhart Rivers. The local economy has historically been tied to manufacturing cycles, and the city has seen major employers restructure over time. Housing values in the area are moderate relative to national benchmarks, and rents are similarly positioned.
For a family considering Cleveland Elementary, the school offers a full elementary through middle-grade span in a single building, with a student body that reflects the broader community’s economic and racial diversity. The academic performance data shows room for growth across all tested subjects. The district’s financial situation and the possibility of school consolidation add a layer of uncertainty that is worth monitoring.
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