Best Schools in Mishawaka, Indiana
25 schools · 15 Elementary · 5 Middle · 3 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Mishawaka?
Use this page to compare every school in Mishawaka by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Bittersweet Elementary School
Elementary · Penn-harris-madison School Corp. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Queen of Peace School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Mishawaka for 2026 are Bittersweet Elementary School (8.1/10), The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes (8.1/10), and Queen of Peace School (7.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 24 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
25
18 public · 7 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$162,900
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
25
18 public · 7 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$162,900
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 7.0/10 despite 56% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.8 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Mishawaka schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Mishawaka
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (24 of 25). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bittersweet Elementary School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes | 8.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Queen of Peace School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Elm Road Elementary School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 5 | Penn High School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Covenant Christian School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Elsie Rogers Elementary School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 8 | Meadow's Edge Elementary School | 7.0 / 10 |
| 9 | Marian High School | 6.7 / 10 |
| 10 | St Joseph Campus | 6.6 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.8/10
- Median household income
- $56,881
- Median home value
- $162,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 28%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 58%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Mishawaka compares
Indiana rank
#159 of 218
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.5
below Indiana avg (6.3)
Median household income
$57k
79% of Indiana median
Schools in this city
24
About Schools in Mishawaka, Indiana
Mishawaka's public school system covers 18 ranked schools, giving families a meaningful range of options within a mid-sized Indiana city. The city-wide average sits at 6.2 out of 10 — a solid baseline, though performance varies considerably from school to school. Four schools, or 22% of the ranked set, clear the 7-point threshold, which means parents who do their research can land their child in a significantly above-average placement.
The elementary tier is where Mishawaka performs best. Twin Branch Elementary leads the city with an 8.2 out of 10 — the strongest score in the ranked set and a meaningful gap above the city average. Fred J Hums Elementary follows at 7.6, Elsie Rogers Elementary at 7.3, and Bittersweet Elementary at 7.2. All four top-rated schools are at the elementary level, making early grades the most competitive and highest-performing segment of Mishawaka's public system. Parents with children entering kindergarten or the lower elementary grades have the strongest roster to choose from.
The middle school picture is more modest. Schmucker Middle School rates 6.8 out of 10 — above the city average but below the top elementary cluster. The gap between elementary and middle performance is worth tracking for families planning longer-term. Children who start in one of the top elementary schools will transition into a middle school environment that performs at a lower relative level, a practical consideration for multi-year planning.
For parents actively comparing schools, the concentration of strong performers at the elementary level is the most actionable fact in this dataset. Twin Branch Elementary stands out as the clear top pick at 8.2 — nearly two full points above the city average. With 22% of ranked schools scoring 7 or higher, Mishawaka is not a city where every school performs alike. Use school profiles on MySchoolScout to compare test score details, enrollment size, and growth metrics before making a final decision.
Elementary Schools
15 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 515 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.1 |
| 2 | 515 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.6 |
| 3 | 393 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.1 |
| 4 | 398 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.0 |
| 5 | 521 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.3 |
| 6 | 296 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.8 |
| 7 | 305 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.0 |
| 8 | 331 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.0 |
| 9 | 498 students · Pre-K–6th | 4.1 |
| 10 | 469 students · Kindergarten–6th | 3.1 |
Show all 15 elementary schools in Mishawaka
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 995 students · 6th–8th | 6.5 | ||
| 2 | 648 students · 6th–8th | 5.5 | ||
| 3 | 738 students · 7th–8th | 3.4 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Joseph Campus
Private
73 students · 3rd–5th | 6.6 | ||
| 2 | Mishawaka Catholic School
Private
88 students · 6th–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3,847 students · 9th–12th | 7.5 | ||
| 2 | 1,437 students · 9th–12th | 4.7 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Marian High School
Private
692 students · 9th–12th | 6.7 | ||
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 44 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.0 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | New Vision Christian Academy
Private
19 students · Pre-K–12th | — | ||
Schools in Mishawaka
Mishawaka, Indiana · 25 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$56,881
Median Home Value
$162,900
Median Rent
$1,002/mo
Population
57,719
College Educated
28%
Homeownership
58%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
14.8%
Community Profile
Mishawaka has a median household income of $56,881. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $162,900, with a median rent of $1,002/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.8%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Indiana
- Elementary
- 15
- Middle
- 5
- High
- 3
- Other
- 2
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Indiana
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Mishawaka, Indiana
How many schools are in Mishawaka, Indiana?
Mishawaka has 25 schools, including 18 public and 7 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Mishawaka, Indiana?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Mishawaka is 5.8 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Mishawaka, Indiana?
The top-ranked school in Mishawaka on MySchoolScout is Bittersweet Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Mishawaka, Indiana?
The top-ranked elementary school in Mishawaka on MySchoolScout is Bittersweet Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Mishawaka, Indiana?
The top-ranked middle school in Mishawaka on MySchoolScout is St Joseph Campus with a composite score of 6.6/10.
What is the best high school in Mishawaka, Indiana?
The top-ranked high school in Mishawaka on MySchoolScout is Penn High School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
How many school districts serve Mishawaka, Indiana?
Mishawaka is served by 2 school districts: School City of Mishawaka, Penn-harris-madison School Corp.
What is the education level in Mishawaka, Indiana?
According to Census data, 28% of adults in Mishawaka have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Mishawaka, Indiana?
The median household income in Mishawaka is approximately $56,881 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Mishawaka, Indiana?
Yes, Mishawaka has 7 private schools alongside 18 public schools. The top-rated private school is The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes with a score of 8.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Mishawaka, Indiana?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Mishawaka is 15.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Mishawaka, Indiana?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Indiana Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.