The top reported proficiency rate is 45% in Science. The lowest is 22% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Horace Mann Elementary
Horace Mann Elementary serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade as a regular public school within the Huntington County Community School Corporation, the sole school district in Huntington County, Indiana. The school is situated in the city of Huntington, a small county seat on the Wabash River about a half-hour southwest of Fort Wayne. The city’s economy mixes manufacturing, health care, retail, and light industry, with a private university adding a college-town element. The district itself did not have any recent parent-relevant changes reported, so families can expect a degree of continuity.
State testing results from the ILEARN assessments for the 2024-25 school year paint a mixed picture. In math, fewer than half of students tested at the proficient or above level. English/language arts proficiency was also below most students reaching that bar. Science results, which are based on a smaller group of students in fifth grade, were higher but still fell short of a majority being proficient. Social studies, also tested at fifth grade, showed the lowest proficiency. Across all subjects, the share of students meeting the state’s proficiency criteria was modest. A parent considering this school may want to talk with the faculty about how the school is working to raise achievement and what supports are available for students who need extra help. Because Horace Mann is an elementary school, there is no graduation rate to report, and no multi-year trend data was available to show whether scores are improving or declining over time.
The student body is predominantly White, with small shares of Hispanic, multiracial, Black, and Asian students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that many families come from lower-income backgrounds. The school does not report the percentage of students with disabilities or English learners, so a family with a child who has an Individualized Education Program or is learning English should ask the school directly about available services. Horace Mann is not a charter or magnet school, and its Title I status was not provided.
Huntington itself is a car-dependent community with no public transit. The population has been essentially flat over the past decade, with modest growth in recent years. Housing values have risen somewhat but remain below the national median, making the area relatively affordable compared to many parts of the country. The local job market is stable, anchored by manufacturing, health care, and the university. The city has a traditional downtown with a library, historical museum, and a few civic anchors, but schools are located on separate campuses; several of the district’s other elementary schools sit just outside the city limits.
For a family, Horace Mann offers a neighborhood elementary experience in a small city where the cost of living is manageable and the community is close-knit. The school’s academic results are not strong compared to state averages, which may give some families pause. Others may find that the school’s size, the familiarity of a single-district county, and the chance to be involved in a setting where improvement is clearly needed are the right fit. Families seeking a high-poverty school with a history of strong outcomes would want to look more closely at the specific programming and teaching approaches in place here.
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