The top reported proficiency rate is 53% in Science. The lowest is 40% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Custer Baker Intermediate School
Custer Baker Intermediate School serves fifth and sixth graders in Franklin, Indiana, as part of the Franklin Community School Corp. It is a regular public school, and its enrollment of roughly 700 students is notably homogeneous: a large majority of students are white, with smaller shares identifying as Hispanic, two or more races, Black, Asian, or Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. About half of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a measure that signals a middle-income peer environment with a substantial share of households managing tighter budgets.
The school’s academic profile is mixed. On the state’s ILEARN assessments, proficiency rates in math and English language arts fall below the halfway mark; more than half of tested students did not reach the proficient level in either subject. Results in science and social studies, which are tested only in fifth grade, were somewhat stronger but still moderate. When all tested subjects and grades are combined into a single proficiency index, Custer Baker’s performance sits in the top quarter among the districts in Johnson County – a respectable standing within the county, though the absolute rates themselves are not high. Families moving into the area should note that these scores represent a single snapshot and reflect only two grade levels, so the picture will shift as students move on to middle and high school.
As an intermediate school serving just two grades, Custer Baker does not report a graduation rate, chronic absenteeism data, or high-school-level course access. Information on students with disabilities and English learners was also missing from the available data, so a parent wanting to understand how the school supports those populations would need to ask directly. No recent district-level changes, facility updates, or program launches were found in publicly available records, so the school appears to be operating without major disruption.
Franklin itself is a mid-sized county seat about twenty miles south of Indianapolis, with a historic downtown, brick streets, and a mix of residential neighborhoods. Several large manufacturers, including Toyota and Mitsubishi, operate in the city, and Franklin College adds a collegiate presence. Housing values and rents in the area are close to national medians, and the local economy has seen steady growth over the past two decades. The school sits on a main road near the center of town, integrated into a community that has invested in greenway parks and a walkable downtown.
For families weighing Custer Baker, the practical takeaway is this: it is a mid-sized intermediate school in a stable, growing suburban city, with a student body that is mostly white and economically mixed. Academic proficiency is moderate by state standards but competitive within the county. The school’s narrow grade band means the experience is short – two years – and focused on the transition from elementary to middle school. A parent whose priority is strong test scores may want to look into the school’s specific support for math and reading, as those areas show the most room for growth. Those who value a straightforward, well-established public school in a community with a clear identity and a range of local employers will find Custer Baker a standard option within Franklin Community Schools.
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