The top reported proficiency rate is 14% in Science. The lowest is 10% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Virtual Preparatory Academy of Indiana at Madison-grant K-5
Virtual Preparatory Academy of Indiana at Madison-Grant K-5 is an online public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of the Madison-Grant United School Corporation and operates as a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. Families in Fairmount and across the district can enroll their children in this full-time virtual program, which represents a relatively new option within the district’s portfolio. The district itself has expanded significantly in recent years, publicly reported as adding virtual school choices and growing from a handful of schools to a larger number of buildings and students, a structural shift that makes this academy one of several options now available.
The school’s academic picture is drawn from the state’s ILEARN assessments. Across math, English language arts, science, and social studies, proficiency rates fell below levels that many families would consider competitive. Compared with other districts within Grant County, the school’s overall proficiency index placed in the bottom quartile. On the specific tests taken by students in grades three through five, the share of students reaching the proficient bar was small in each subject. Participation rates for the math and English assessments were high, so the results reflect nearly all enrolled students. Because this is a K-5 school, there is no graduation rate to report, and no high school metrics apply.
The student body is diverse in composition. About half of the students are white, with Black students making up roughly a quarter of enrollment, and smaller shares of Hispanic, multiracial, and other backgrounds. A relatively modest share of students qualifies for free or reduced-price meals compared to some other schools in the area, though that figure still represents a noticeable segment of the population. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the records reviewed, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about its special education and language support structures.
Enrollment is small for a K-5 school, with roughly a couple hundred students spread across kindergarten through fifth grade. Each grade has a comparable number of children, so class sections are likely to be few per grade. The virtual format means students learn from home with online instruction and remote teacher interaction, a setup that suits some families and challenges others. Because the school is fully online, there is no physical campus to visit; the administrative address listed is in Fairmount, but learning happens elsewhere.
Fairmount itself is a small town in Grant County, best known as the boyhood home of actor James Dean. It functions largely as a bedroom community for nearby Marion, with a quiet residential character and a historic commercial district. The town’s population has been slowly declining over recent decades, and the local housing market reflects that modest scale and rural context. Home values in the area are well below national and state averages, making the community relatively affordable for families looking to buy. Rents also tend to be lower than in many parts of the country. There are no major new housing developments reported, and the town’s economy leans on heritage tourism around the James Dean Festival and a mix of small businesses.
For a parent considering this school, the central question is whether a virtual elementary setting fits their child’s learning needs. The academic results are a soft spot, and a family may want to discuss with the school what supports are in place to raise proficiency, how live instruction works, and what accountability for progress looks like. The small enrollment and online structure could offer flexibility for some families, but they also mean limited peer interaction compared to a traditional classroom. The district’s expansion into virtual options suggests it is investing in choice, and this academy is one of several pathways a family in Madison-Grant United School Corporation can take for elementary grades.
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