The top reported proficiency rate is 25% in Science. The lowest is 15% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Lasalle Elementary School
Lasalle Elementary School serves students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in Mishawaka, Indiana, as part of the School City of Mishawaka district. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. The school occupies a building on Milburn Boulevard, in a city that sits along the St. Joseph River next to South Bend. Mishawaka was historically a manufacturing center; its economic base has shifted toward retail services and small industry, and the city describes itself as a community-centered place where families settle. The city reports consistent population growth and record-breaking new construction, and it features 28 parks, a Riverwalk, and an engaging downtown area. Bethel University is also located within Mishawaka.
Lasalle is a mid-sized elementary school. Its enrollment of just under 500 students is spread across grades PK-6, with kindergarten through third grade each hosting the largest groups and prekindergarten the smallest. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, placing the school in a high-poverty context. Racially, the student body is predominantly white, with a notable share of Black students, a smaller share of Hispanic students, and a comparable share of students identifying as two or more races. Asian students make up a very small portion. Data on the number of students receiving special education services or classified as English learners was not available in the records examined.
Academic performance on Indiana’s ILEARN assessments places Lasalle in a position that parents will want to examine carefully. In math, roughly a quarter of students tested scored at the proficient or above level. In English language arts, the share was lower, around a fifth. Science proficiency came in at about a quarter, while social studies proficiency was lower still, around a sixth of tested fifth graders. These are the most recent results available, and they show that Lasalle’s overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades sits below the midpoint when compared with other districts in St. Joseph County. The county contains fourteen districts, and the comparison set includes ten with usable proficiency data; Lasalle’s index is lower than the median of that group. The test participation rate in math and ELA was high, so the results reflect nearly all students.
Because Lasalle serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and no chronic absenteeism data was available. Information on discipline, course access, staffing ratios, and attendance patterns was also not included in the records we reviewed. Parents looking for those details may want to ask the school directly or consult state report card filings.
The district that operates Lasalle, School City of Mishawaka, has made several changes that directly affect families. A balanced calendar was approved starting with the 2024-2025 school year, shortening the summer break while adding a two-week fall break and a three-week winter break. District officials said the change aims to reduce summer learning loss, especially for economically disadvantaged students, who make up a large share of enrollment. This shift affects family scheduling, childcare, and vacation planning. Additionally, voters passed an operating referendum in 2021 that provides recurring annual funding through 2028, supporting teacher retention, class size reduction, and academic programs. The district also expanded full-day kindergarten to all elementary schools, ensuring universal access for incoming kindergarten students.
For a family considering Lasalle Elementary, the picture that emerges is of a school serving a high-poverty community in a growing city, with state test results that are lower than many of its county peers. The district has implemented structural changes aimed at addressing learning loss and supporting students, and the community itself offers walkable amenities and a mix of residential and commercial life. A parent who values strong test scores as a primary measure may want to explore the school’s specific academic programs and support structures further. A parent who is invested in a school that is working to close opportunity gaps and is part of a district actively reshaping its calendar and resources may find Lasalle a school worth engaging with directly.
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