The top reported proficiency rate is 45% in Social studies. The lowest is 33% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Tri Central Elementary
TriCentral Elementary is a regular public school serving prekindergarten through fifth grade within the Tri-Central Community Schools district. The school enrolls a student body that is small in scale for an elementary building, and the demographic picture is one of limited racial and ethnic diversity: the large majority of students are white, with a small Hispanic population and an even smaller multiracial group present. Over half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a substantial share that points to a community where many families face economic constraints. The school does not report data on special education or English learner enrollment, so it is not possible to assess those populations from the available information.
Sharpsville, the town where the school is located, is a very small rural community surrounded by farmland. It functions largely as a quiet bedroom community for nearby Kokomo and other larger towns; the local commercial strip is thin, with a pizza restaurant and a dollar store among the few businesses. Most residents own their homes, and home values appear to sit close to the state median, reflecting a modest housing market. The town has been losing population over recent decades, and there is little sign of significant new development or growth pressures. The consolidated Tri-Central secondary campus is not in Sharpsville itself, so elementary students here feed into a school that serves multiple communities.
On the state assessments administered to third through fifth graders through the ILEARN program, the school’s results are modest. In English language arts, just over a third of students scored at the proficient level or above. In math, that figure is slightly lower. Science and social studies—tested only at certain grades—show a somewhat higher share of students reaching proficiency, though still below half. Taken together, these results mean that a majority of students are not yet meeting the state’s academic benchmarks in core subjects. Relative to the two districts in Tipton County, the school’s overall proficiency index sits above the midpoint, but that comparison set is narrow; the absolute rates remain below what many families would hope to see. Parents considering this school should look into the specific instructional supports and interventions the school offers, particularly for students who are below grade level.
No chronic absenteeism data is available for the school, and there is no reported information on discipline, staffing ratios, or course access. The district’s public profile shows no recent major changes or strategic initiatives of note. The town itself offers limited civic infrastructure—no public library or transit service—though it has a town square park and a volunteer fire department. For families weighing a move here, the rural setting, the quiet pace, and the lack of commercial amenities are significant considerations. The school itself is the primary community institution serving young children in the area.
Tri Central Elementary fits a parent who is comfortable with a small, rural school in a town that is not growing, who is aware that state test scores are below average and that the school’s resources may be stretched, and who wants to engage directly with the staff to understand how academic challenges are addressed. The limited extracurricular and program offerings typical of a small elementary are likely the norm here, and the consolidated secondary school means a longer drive for older students.
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