The top reported proficiency rate is 21% in English language arts. The lowest is 10% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Madison S.t.e.a.m. Academy
Madison S.T.E.A.M. Academy is a regular public elementary school in South Bend, Indiana, serving kindergarten through fifth grade as part of the South Bend Community School Corporation. The school sits within a mid-sized city shaped by the bend of the St. Joseph River, where the University of Notre Dame anchors the north edge of downtown and manufacturing and distribution facilities line the west side. The city has seen modest population growth followed by a slight plateau, with housing values well below national medians and a meaningful share of households facing economic stress.
The school’s academic picture comes from the state’s ILEARN assessments, which cover elementary grades in math, English language arts, science, and social studies. Overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades lands well below the midpoint when compared to other districts in St. Joseph County, placing it in the bottom quartile of that countywide group. In math, about one in six students met the state’s proficiency benchmark. In English language arts, roughly one in five scored at that level. Science results were similar, with fewer than one in five students reaching proficiency. Social studies, tested only in fifth grade, showed roughly one in ten students meeting the standard. Participation rates were high, indicating that nearly all enrolled students took the assessments. A parent considering this school will want to discuss with the school’s administration how these results are being addressed instructionally and what supports are in place for students who are not yet meeting grade-level expectations.
The student body is diverse and overwhelmingly qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the broader economic realities of the surrounding neighborhood. The largest groups of students are Black and Hispanic, with a smaller share of white students and a notable number identifying as two or more races. Class sizes are moderate for an elementary school of this size, with enrollment distributed fairly evenly across the six grade levels. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not provided, so a family seeking specific information on those programs should ask the school directly.
The school operates as a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and the grade band means there is no graduation rate to report. No information was available on chronic absenteeism, discipline, or staffing ratios, so judgments about the school climate or student support levels would require firsthand inquiry.
The district itself created a full-time virtual learning option called South Bend Virtual School for grades four through twelve, which may be relevant for families who later consider a remote pathway for their child. That option is not specific to this elementary school, but it signals that the district has invested in flexible learning models.
South Bend’s housing market remains relatively affordable compared to national averages, with home values and rents well below the state median. The city has a working downtown, riverfront parks, and an airport connecting to larger hubs. Employment sectors include manufacturing, education, health care, and professional services. The overall economic context means that many families at Madison S.T.E.A.M. Academy face financial challenges, and the school’s high rate of economic disadvantage is likely connected to the academic patterns seen in the assessment data.
For a parent weighing this school, the key takeaway is that Madison S.T.E.A.M. Academy serves a high-poverty, diverse student population in an affordable city, but its state test results are low relative to other schools in the same county. A family would want to understand what interventions, enrichment, and support structures the school offers, and whether the STEAM designation in its name reflects concrete programming or a broader thematic orientation—no specific program details were available to confirm either way. Visiting the school and speaking with teachers and the principal would be the best next step.
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