The top reported proficiency rate is 32% in Math. The lowest is 23% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on J E Ober Elementary School
J E Ober Elementary School serves kindergarten through fifth grade in the Garrett-Keyser-Butler Community School District, a regular public school in Garrett, Indiana. The school is one of several district buildings that appear to sit on a consolidated campus, separate from the downtown civic core. Garrett itself is a small city with a railroad-town heritage and a modestly growing population, having led DeKalb County in new home construction in recent years. The community offers outdoor recreation amenities, a public library, and a YMCA recreation center, reflecting a small-city character that families may find appealing.
A substantial share of students at Ober Elementary come from lower-income households, as indicated by the rate of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The student population is predominantly white, with small shares of Hispanic students, students of two or more races, and very small shares of other racial and ethnic groups. Data on the share of students with disabilities and the share of English learners was not available.
On the Indiana ILEARN assessments, which measure proficiency in core subjects, Ober Elementary’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades placed below the midpoint among the four school districts in DeKalb County. In English language arts, roughly a quarter of students tested at the proficient or above level. In mathematics, about a third of students did so. In science, about a third of students tested proficient or above, while social studies proficiency was at about a quarter of tested fifth graders. A parent considering this school will want to understand how these proficiency rates compare to their own expectations and whether the school’s academic supports align with their child’s needs. Since the school serves only elementary grades, there is no high school graduation rate to review.
The school’s program offerings were not detailed in the available data. No information was provided about staffing, class sizes, or course access, so a parent may wish to contact the school directly to learn about enrichment activities, special education services, and supports for students who are learning English.
Housing in the area is notably more affordable than national benchmarks. The typical home value in the zip code is well below the national figure, and the estimated monthly mortgage payment on a median-priced home with a conventional down payment is modest relative to what families in many other parts of the country face. This affordability, combined with the community’s growth in new home construction, may make Garrett an accessible option for families looking to buy into a smaller community with a steady housing market.
The district itself did not have notable recent changes reported in publicly available sources. No major referenda, curriculum shifts, or boundary adjustments were found that would affect a family’s decision in the near term.
Overall, Ober Elementary reflects the academic and demographic characteristics of a small Midwestern community school. Proficiency rates are below the county midpoint, and the student body has a significant share of low-income students. The school’s strengths include a strong participation rate on state assessments and the context of a growing town with relatively affordable housing. Families considering this school should seek out current information on academic intervention programs, enrichment offerings, and how the school supports students who are below grade level, as the available data does not provide those details but the proficiency rates suggest that many students may need additional support.
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