The top reported proficiency rate is 56% in Science. The lowest is 50% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Manchester Intermediate School
Manchester Intermediate School sits at the center of a small, rural public school system in Wabash County, serving grades four through six as a regular public school within Manchester Community Schools. The school is located in Laketon, a tiny unincorporated village characterized by older prewar housing stock and a modest median home value that falls well below state and national benchmarks. The village population has been declining slightly in recent years, and the local post office is no longer in operation. For families moving into the area, property values are relatively affordable, which can make the district accessible for those priced out of more expensive parts of Indiana.
On state assessments, Manchester Intermediate posts results around the midpoint or slightly above. On the ILEARN tests, roughly half of all students met proficiency in math, English language arts, science, and social studies. The proficiency index, an average across tested subjects, places the school in the top quartile among the four districts in Wabash County, meaning it performs above the median of its local peers. That is a meaningful strength in a county where other districts have lower overall scores. Test participation was high, with nearly every student taking part, which gives the results a complete picture of the school’s academic standing.
The school’s student body numbers in the low hundreds, with roughly equal enrollment in each grade. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, indicating that a notable portion of families face economic challenges. Racially, the student population is predominantly white, with a Hispanic population making up under ten percent and very small numbers of Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and multiracial students. Data on special education and English learner populations were not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about how those students are served.
Because the school only serves upper elementary and early middle grades, there is no high school graduation rate to report, and no chronic absenteeism information was available in the data. Other school environment details such as discipline rates, staffing ratios, and course access were also not provided. These are gaps that a family might explore by contacting the school or reviewing its website.
Manchester Intermediate operates as part of Manchester Community Schools, a district that has recently made some notable changes. In a 2023 referendum, voters approved additional annual funding over a set period to support teacher and staff salaries, curriculum materials, and safety upgrades. The district has also adopted the EL Education curriculum model, which emphasizes inquiry-based learning, character development, and high-quality student work, and is working toward full credentialing. For older students, the district provides a 1:1 device program for grades seven through twelve, which does not directly affect the intermediate school but may matter for families planning ahead.
Overall, Manchester Intermediate School offers a stable academic environment set in a quiet, low-cost rural community. The school’s test results are solid relative to its county, and the district has invested in curriculum coherence and operational support through a recent referendum. Families who value a small, locally rooted school with a focus on engaged learning may find it a good fit. The missing data points on special populations and school environment are areas worth investigating further to ensure the school meets a particular child’s needs.
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