The top reported proficiency rate is 24% in English language arts. The lowest is 8% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Paramount School of Excellence South Bend
Paramount School of Excellence South Bend is a tuition-free public charter school serving kindergarten through eighth grade, located on Hepler Street in South Bend. The school opened for the 2023-24 school year, making it a new option for families in the area. Because it serves only elementary and middle grades, it does not have a graduation rate to report.
The school is part of a small, single-school district that shares its name. The building sits in a city that blends residential neighborhoods, a downtown along the St. Joseph River, and institutional anchors including the University of Notre Dame directly adjacent to the north. South Bend has seen modest population growth over the past decade and a half, with a recent plateau, and its housing values and median income sit below national medians. The city operates a range of civic amenities, including a riverfront park system, a public library, and cultural institutions downtown. A curb and sidewalk reimbursement program signals ongoing investment in pedestrian infrastructure.
Paramount School of Excellence South Bend enrolled just over three hundred students at the time of reporting, with the largest single grade in kindergarten. The student body is diverse: more than half of students are Black, with a smaller share of white students, a similar share of students who identify as two or more races, and a modest share of Hispanic students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that many families in the school community have lower household incomes. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the state-level reporting.
State testing results from the school's first year show that in math and English language arts, the share of students scoring proficient was well below the state average. In science, tested at a single grade, proficiency was reported at a lower rate. Social studies, also tested at a single grade, showed an even smaller share of students reaching proficiency. The comparison among districts in St. Joseph County places the school in the bottom quartile for overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. Because this is the school's first year of test results, these numbers establish a baseline that families will want to watch in subsequent years as the school matures.
The school operates as a regular public charter school, meaning it has no admissions criteria or tuition. It does not offer high school grades, so there are no AP, dual-credit, or career pathways to report. No data on chronic absenteeism or discipline was available, and the school did not report staffing ratios or course access information. A parent looking for this information may want to inquire directly with the school's administration.
For a family considering this school, the question is less about a track record and more about the fit of a new, structured charter option in a city with varied school choices. The school serves a population that is economically diverse, with many families on free or reduced-price lunch. The academic results from the opening year are a starting point, not a verdict, and a parent interested in this school will want to understand what supports are in place for students who are not yet at grade level and how the school plans to improve proficiency over time. The school's location on Hepler Street places it in a residential part of South Bend, with the downtown and university areas a short drive away. The district brief suggests the school's model is a tuition-free public charter that requires only an application, not a voucher, which may matter to families seeking a no-fee alternative to their zoned public school.
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