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Excellent

#298 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 16% in state

Bittersweet Elementary School

Elementary School · Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp

55860 Bittersweet, Mishawaka, IN 46545

Enrollment

515

Student-Teacher

22.4:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#298 of 1,823

In Mishawaka

#1 of 18

public schools

In district

#5 of 15

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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Bittersweet Elementary School

8.1/10

Elementary School in Mishawaka · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Penn High School

7.5/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Schmucker Middle School

6.5/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Bittersweet Elementary School

Bittersweet Elementary School is a public elementary school in Mishawaka, IN, part of Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp. Bittersweet Elementary School serves approximately 515 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 22.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Bittersweet Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #298 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for Bittersweet Elementary School show 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.7
  • IN avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Bittersweet Elementary School runs 22.4:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.22 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.3% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency63.1% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg+22.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+22.9 pts
Overall Proficiency69% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)52% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected+16.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,141
Chronic Absenteeism11.8%

Bittersweet Elementary School — Students at Bittersweet Elementary School score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 76.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
46.1% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 72.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 37 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
81%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
78%
ELA
78%
2011
Math
89%
ELA
90%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
89%
ELA
89%
2014
Math
74%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
77%
ELA
75%
2016
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2017
Math
72%
ELA
75%
2018
Math
74%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
74%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
71%
ELA
64%
2021*
Math
71%
ELA
64%
2022
Math
75%
2025
Math
74.3%
ELA
63%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.6/10.

How Bittersweet Elementary School Compares

See how Bittersweet Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
84th percentile in IN
Academic
9.6/10
Excellent
Growth
9.6/10
Excellent
Environment
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
11.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

55860 Bittersweet, Mishawaka, IN 46545

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bittersweet Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Horizon Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Granger), with a very similar rating. Another option is THE MONTESSORI ACADEMY AT EDISON LAKES (rated 8.1/10, 3.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mary Frank Harris Elementary Sch (rated 8.0/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Granger), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Mishawaka, see our Mishawaka schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Penn High School Mishawaka 0.3 mi 7.5
Schmucker Middle School Mishawaka 0.3 mi 6.5
QUEEN OF PEACE SCHOOL Mishawaka 1.0 mi 7.9
Twin Branch Elementary School Mishawaka 1.5 mi 5.8
Elsie Rogers Elementary School Mishawaka 1.2 mi 7.1
Moran Elementary School Osceola 1.7 mi 7.4
Fred J Hums Elementary School Mishawaka 2.4 mi 5.0
Beiger Elementary School Mishawaka 2.7 mi 4.1
COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mishawaka 2.9 mi 7.2
Mishawaka High School Mishawaka 3.2 mi 4.7
Elm Road Elementary School Mishawaka 3.9 mi 7.6
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Elkhart 3.7 mi 7.8
Walt Disney Elementary School Mishawaka 3.4 mi 6.3
Horizon Elementary School Granger 4.1 mi 8.1
Discovery Middle School Granger 4.1 mi 7.7
Liberty Elementary School Mishawaka 3.5 mi 3.0
Battell Elementary School Mishawaka 3.5 mi 5.0
THE MONTESSORI ACADEMY AT EDISON LAKES Mishawaka 3.6 mi 8.1
ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Granger 4.3 mi 5.6
Mary Frank Harris Elementary Sch Granger 5.0 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46545 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,889

Median Home Value

$174,700

Median Rent

$986/mo

Population

26,581

College Educated

31.4%

Homeownership

49.4%

Avg Commute

20.9 min

Poverty Rate

11.6%

Median Age

38.4

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Center Grove Elementary School Greenwood, IN 8.1
Central Elementary School Plainfield, IN 8.1
Chamberlain Elementary School Goshen, IN 8.1
Creekside Elementary School Franklin, IN 8.1
Deer Ridge Elementary Fort Wayne, IN 8.1
Horizon Elementary School Granger, IN 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bittersweet Elementary School

What grades does Bittersweet Elementary School serve?

Bittersweet Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Bittersweet Elementary School?

Bittersweet Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 515 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bittersweet Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Bittersweet Elementary School is 22.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bittersweet Elementary School rank in IN?

Bittersweet Elementary School ranks #298 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Bittersweet Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bittersweet Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bittersweet Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bittersweet Elementary School has 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Bittersweet Elementary School a charter school?

No, Bittersweet Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bittersweet Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Bittersweet Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bittersweet Elementary School?

29.9% of students at Bittersweet Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
515
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
29.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
St. Joseph County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
11.8%

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