Best South Bend Public Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 28 public elementary schools serving 11,276 students in South Bend, IN.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in South Bend, IN are Swanson Traditional School, Lasalle Academy and Kennedy Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
South Bend, IN public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 16% (versus the Indiana public elementary school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 18% (versus the 40% statewide average). Elementary schools in South Bend have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Indiana public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Indiana public elementary school average of 38% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Best Public Elementary Schools in South Bend, IN (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Swanson Traditional School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
17677 Parker Dr
South Bend, IN 46635
(574) 393-2700
Gr: PK-5 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #22.
Lasalle Academy
(Math: 42% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2701 W Elwood
South Bend, IN 46628
(574) 393-4700
Gr: 6-8 | 461 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #33.
Kennedy Academy
(Math: 43% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
609 N Olive St
South Bend, IN 46628
(574) 393-3100
Gr: K-5 | 443 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #44.
Marshall Traditional School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1433 Byron Drive
South Bend, IN 46614
(574) 393-2100
Gr: PK-8 | 400 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #55.
Warren Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
55400 Quince Rd
South Bend, IN 46619
(574) 393-2800
Gr: PK-5
Rank: #66.
Jefferson Traditional School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
528 S Eddy St
South Bend, IN 46617
(574) 393-4100
Gr: 6-8 | 591 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #77.
Success Academy Primary School
Charter School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3408 Ardmore Trail
South Bend, IN 46628
(574) 299-9800
Gr: K-5 | 610 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #88.
Darden Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
18645 Janet St
South Bend, IN 46637
(574) 243-7335
Gr: PK-5 | 375 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #99.
Marquette Montessori Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1818 Bergan St
South Bend, IN 46628
(574) 393-2400
Gr: PK-8 | 431 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #1010.
Clay International Academy
(Math: 13% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
52900 Lily Rd
South Bend, IN 46637
(574) 393-4300
Gr: PK-8 | 496 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1111.
Mckinley Elementary School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 12%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
228 N Greenlawn Ave
South Bend, IN 46617
(574) 393-3300
Gr: PK-5 | 315 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1212.
Nuner Fine Arts Academy
(Math: 12% | Reading: 13%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2716 Pleasant St
South Bend, IN 46615
(574) 393-2600
Gr: PK-5 | 489 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1313.
Career Academy Middle School
Charter School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3801 Cresent Circle - Suite B
South Bend, IN 46628
(574) 299-9800
Gr: 6-8 | 414 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1414.
Monroe Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 9%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
312 Donmoyer Ave
South Bend, IN 46614
(574) 393-2500
Gr: K-5 | 519 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1515.
Harrison Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 6%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3302 Western Ave
South Bend, IN 46619
(574) 393-3000
Gr: PK-5 | 555 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1616.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1425 E Calvert St
South Bend, IN 46613
(574) 393-2300
Gr: PK-5 | 383 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1717.
Madison S.t.e.a.m. Academy
(Math: 9% | Reading: 5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
832 N Lafayette Blvd
South Bend, IN 46601
(574) 393-3200
Gr: K-5 | 431 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #1818.
Muessel Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1021 Blaine St
South Bend, IN 46628
(574) 393-3400
Gr: PK-5 | 295 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Coquillard Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1245 N Sheridan St
South Bend, IN 46628
(574) 393-2000
Gr: PK-5 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Jackson Middle School
(Math: 5% | Reading: 8%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
5001 S Miami Rd
South Bend, IN 46614
(574) 393-4500
Gr: 6-8 | 537 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #2121.
Edison Middle School
(Math: 4% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2701 Eisenhower Dr
South Bend, IN 46615
(574) 393-4400
Gr: K-8 | 551 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #2222.
Wilson Elementary School
(Math: 7% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
56660 Oak Rd
South Bend, IN 46619
(574) 393-3700
Gr: K-5 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #2323.
Dickinson Academy
(Math: 3% | Reading: 8%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4404 Elwood
South Bend, IN 46628
(574) 393-3900
Gr: K-8 | 309 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #2424.
Navarre Middle School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 4%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4702 W Ford St
South Bend, IN 46619
(574) 393-4600
Gr: 6-8 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: n/an/a
Paramount School Of Excellence South Bend
Charter School
3414 Hepler Street
South Bend, IN 46635
(317) 519-4588
Gr: K-7 | 476 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: n/an/a
Premier Arts Academy
Charter School
2721 Prairie St.
South Bend, IN 46614
(574) 361-1258
Gr: K-7 | 286 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: n/an/a
Studebaker Center
724 E Dubail Ave
South Bend, IN 46613
(574) 393-6250
Gr: PK-12 | 49 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
Rank: n/an/a
Success Academy At Boys And Girls Club
Charter School
502 E Sample St
South Bend, IN 46601
(574) 299-9800
Gr: K-5 | 113 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 80%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in South Bend, IN?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in South Bend, IN include Swanson Traditional School, Lasalle Academy and Kennedy Academy.
How many public elementary schools are located in South Bend?
29 public elementary schools are located in South Bend.
What is the racial composition of students in South Bend?
South Bend public elementary schools minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Indiana public elementary schools average of 38% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public elementary schools in South Bend are often viewed compared to one another?

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