The top reported proficiency rate is 46% in Science. The lowest is 35% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Sullivan Middle School
Sullivan Middle School serves grades six through eight in Sullivan, Indiana, part of the Southwest School Corporation. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and it does not have a Title I status reported in the data available. The school occupies a single building on Frakes Street in Sullivan. As a middle school that ends at eighth grade, it has no graduation rate to report, and the data also lacks chronic absenteeism figures, so those metrics are not part of this picture.
The school’s academic performance is captured by the state’s ILEARN assessments for math, English language arts, and science. In the most recent testing year, roughly a third of students met or exceeded the state’s proficiency standard in math and in ELA. Science results were higher, with just under half of students reaching the proficiency threshold. An older result from a different state test for social studies is also on record, but it comes from several years ago and uses a different assessment, so it is not directly comparable to current results. Because the school only serves middle grades, the achievement profile is limited to these tested subjects and grade levels; there are no high school outcomes to consider.
When placed alongside the other districts in Sullivan County, Sullivan Middle School’s overall proficiency across tested subjects sits above the midpoint of the small, three-district county comparison set. It ranks in the top quartile relative to those districts. That positioning is worth noting because the county itself is small, and the school’s raw proficiency rates, while modest in absolute terms, are the strongest among the local peers. A parent looking at the numbers alone might see room for improvement, but the local context shows the school performing ahead of the other district-run middle schools in the county.
The student body is large enough to fill three grades with separate sections for each. Enrollment is roughly evenly spread across sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. Demographically, the school is overwhelmingly white, with a very small number of Hispanic, multiracial, American Indian, and Asian students. No Black students were recorded. Nearly half the students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, indicating that a substantial share of families are managing on moderate or lower incomes. Data on special education and English learner populations was not provided, so a family with a child in either group would want to ask the school directly about those supports.
The community context reflects a modest housing market. Home values in the school’s ZIP code are well below both the state and national benchmarks, making the area relatively affordable. The broader economic picture shows a national unemployment rate hovering around four percent and mortgage rates in the mid-six percent range; these are general conditions that affect families everywhere.
A search for recent district-level changes at Southwest School Corporation found no lasting parent-relevant developments such as referendums, curriculum shifts, major budget changes, or construction projects. The district appears stable in its programming and operations, at least within the recent window examined. That lack of upheaval may appeal to families seeking consistency.
Sullivan Middle School offers a straightforward middle school experience in a small-city setting where housing is affordable and the student body is relatively homogeneous. Its test results are modest in absolute terms but strong for the county. The school serves as the middle-grade option for a district that, from the available information, has not undergone significant recent change. Families moving into the area or evaluating their options would want to learn more about elective offerings, extracurriculars, and support services, as those details were not part of the data reviewed. For those who prioritize a school that is performing ahead of immediate local alternatives in a stable district with an affordable housing market, this school fits that profile.
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