The top reported proficiency rate is 90% in Math. The lowest is 76% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Middlebury Elementary School
Middlebury Elementary School is a traditional public school serving kindergarten through third grade in the Middlebury Community Schools district. Because it is an early-elementary building, the school does not produce graduation-rate data or chronic-absenteeism tracking at its own level, and state testing is limited to the one grade—third—that takes the ILEARN assessments. That grade band means the school’s academic profile is a snapshot of foundational skills, not a full K-12 picture.
On the ILEARN results, the school posted a strong proficiency rate in math, with a very high share of tested third graders meeting or exceeding the state’s standard. English language arts proficiency was also solid, with about three-quarters of students reaching that benchmark. Compared with other districts in Elkhart County, Middlebury Elementary’s combined proficiency across subjects places it in the top quartile. A parent considering this school can take these as strong early indicators, though the small tested cohort means a single year’s results can be sensitive to individual student variation.
The student body is small and heavily white, with more than eight out of ten students identifying as white. About one in fourteen students is Hispanic, and the remaining share is split between students who are Black, Asian, or of two or more races. Roughly a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a rate that is moderate but worth noting for families wondering about the socioeconomic mix. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the school’s reported figures, so a parent who needs that information should ask the school directly.
The school sits on South Main Street in Middlebury, a town that blends small-town residential life with a significant manufacturing economy. Four major RV manufacturers operate plants in town, and Culver Duck Farms is another large employer. The town’s downtown is centered on Main Street, anchored by Town Hall, the public library, and Krider World’s Fair Garden, while the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail runs through town offering a top-rated route for biking and walking. The school campuses in the district are set apart from the downtown core, so this is not a walk-to-school-from-downtown arrangement. The town’s population grew modestly, and a comprehensive plan called Middlebury 2030 guides development planning.
The district behind the school, Middlebury Community Schools, has made several recent investments that affect families. Voters approved an operating referendum in 2022 that generates substantial annual funding through 2029, directed to teacher and staff compensation, classroom resources, and academic and extracurricular programs. Property owners in the district will see that levy on their tax bills. In 2023, the district adopted a district-wide STEM curriculum initiative, embedding science, technology, engineering, and mathematics across all grade levels, including hands-on learning labs at the elementary schools. At Northridge High School, the district completed a major renovation adding science labs, modernized classrooms, and upgraded athletic facilities, funded through a bond.
Home values in the area are somewhat above the national average, and they have been rising at a rate that outpaces the national trend. Monthly mortgage costs on a typical home are estimated to be higher than renting, so homeownership carries a premium compared with renting. The local unemployment rate is at the national average, and median household income nationally has been around the mid-eighties thousands in recent years.
Middlebury Elementary School fits a family looking for a small, early-elementary school in a district that has invested in curriculum and facilities, in a town with a niche manufacturing economy and active recreation amenities. The strong early proficiency numbers are a clear positive. The missing student-support data means a parent with a child who needs special education services or English language support should follow up with the school to understand what is available.
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