The top reported proficiency rate is 40% in Science. The lowest is 22% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Lincoln Elementary School
Lincoln Elementary School serves students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Bedford, Indiana, as part of the North Lawrence Community Schools district. It is a regular public school. The school sits in a community whose identity is deeply tied to limestone quarrying—Bedford has long been called the "Limestone Capital of the World"—though the economy today is broader, with manufacturing, healthcare, and retail as major sectors. GM Powertrain, Indiana Limestone, and IU Health Bedford Hospital are among the largest employers. Bedford is the county seat and has a historic courthouse square district, a public library, and parks including Otis Park and Spring Mill State Park nearby. The town has experienced modest population growth over recent decades and was named a Stellar Community by the state, which brought a meaningful infusion of funds for planned improvements. Housing values in the area are lower than the national median, making homeownership more attainable relative to much of the country.
Lincoln Elementary itself is a mid-sized elementary school, enrolling students from kindergarten through sixth grade. A substantial share of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic profile of the community. The student population is predominantly white, with smaller numbers of students who are Hispanic, two or more races, Black, or Asian.
On the 2024-25 ILEARN state assessments, Lincoln's results were below the state average in core subjects. In English language arts, about three in ten students scored at the proficient or above level, and math proficiency was similar. Science proficiency was higher, at roughly four in ten students, while social studies, tested only in fifth grade, was lower, at roughly two in ten. Compared with the three other school districts in Lawrence County, Lincoln's overall proficiency index sits above the midpoint. This places it in the middle of the local field, though the county as a whole is not among the highest-performing areas in Indiana. A parent reviewing these results would see that Lincoln is not an outlier on either end within its county, but the absolute proficiency rates across subjects are areas a family might want to discuss directly with the school.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Data on chronic absenteeism, staffing ratios, discipline, and course access were not available in the source materials. Similarly, information about the district's recent curriculum changes or strategic initiatives was not located, so this account does not cover those topics.
For a family considering Lincoln Elementary, the picture is a straightforward one. This is a neighborhood school serving a community with a strong industrial and quarrying heritage, a modest cost of living, and a stable but not fast-growing population. The student body is not highly diverse and a sizable portion comes from lower-income households. The academic results on state tests are mixed and generally below state benchmarks, though in the middle of the pack compared to nearby districts in Lawrence County. The school's role within the district is clear: it is one of six elementary schools feeding into the district's two middle schools and then Bedford North Lawrence High School. A parent moving to the area would likely want to visit the school, talk with staff about how the school supports students who are not yet meeting proficiency benchmarks, and consider how the school's programs align with their child's needs.
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