The top reported proficiency rate is 20% in Math. The lowest is 10% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Fairfield Elementary School
Fairfield Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Fort Wayne, Indiana, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of Fort Wayne Community Schools, the largest district in northeastern Indiana.
Fort Wayne, the state’s second-largest city, blends a historic manufacturing foundation—automotive and electrical equipment, tools and dies, metal and rubber products—with ongoing downtown and riverfront revitalization. The city sits at the confluence of three rivers and has invested heavily in civic amenities such as Promenade Park, Parkview Field, and the Electric Works mixed-use redevelopment. Housing costs in the area are lower than national and statewide medians, making homeownership and renting more accessible than in many other parts of the country. The city has been growing modestly, with new residential and commercial projects underway.
Fairfield’s student body is highly diverse and economically disadvantaged. By far the largest ethnic group is Hispanic students, followed by Black students, then White students, with smaller shares of students who identify as two or more races, Asian, or American Indian. A very large proportion of students come from low-income households, as measured by free or reduced-price meal eligibility. Information on the shares of students with disabilities and English learners was not available from the source data; families may want to follow up with the school directly about special education and language support services.
On Indiana’s ILEARN assessments, the proportion of students scoring at the proficient level or above was low in every tested subject. Math and English language arts results fell well below statewide typical levels, and performance in science and social studies was similarly low, with only a small fraction of test-takers meeting the bar. Nearly all enrolled students participated in the math and English assessments, though participation information for science and social studies was not reported. Compared across districts in Allen County, Fairfield’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades sits below the midpoint. Because the school serves only elementary grades, there is no high school graduation rate to report, and chronic absenteeism data were also absent from the available records.
The school is a traditional neighborhood elementary school with no charter or magnet designation. No details about program offerings, staffing, discipline, or attendance were provided.
For families weighing Fairfield, the district’s direction is worth understanding. Fort Wayne Community Schools has restructured its high school program into three Schools of Success—Business and the Arts, Health Sciences and Human Services, and Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology and Trades—beginning with the class of 2028. This pathway model connects core academics to career themes and includes a partnership with Junior Achievement’s 3DE program starting in the freshman year. While this change does not affect elementary instruction directly, it sets the curriculum arc that Fairfield students will enter by the time they reach high school.
Fairfield Elementary sits in a mid-sized city with affordable housing and a growing economy, but faces significant challenges in student academic achievement. A parent considering this school will likely want to learn more about the academic interventions, enrichment opportunities, and support services the school offers, especially for students who are not yet meeting grade-level expectations. The school’s role within the broader district means that families should also consider how the elementary experience connects to the middle and high school pathways Fort Wayne Community Schools is building.
See more original research from School Decision →