Average
#663 of 1,823 schools in IN
Top 36% in state
Darden Elementary School
Elementary School · South Bend Community School Corp
18645 Janet St, South Bend, IN 46637
Enrollment
465
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
465
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In South Bend
#15 of 34
public schools
Indiana elementary schools
#425 of 1,047
In district
#13 of 29
South Bend Community School Corp
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Darden Elementary School
Darden Elementary School is a regular public school located in the suburban area of South Bend, Indiana. Serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade, Darden has an enrollment of 465 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1 with 39 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's academic performance, as measured by MySchoolScout, currently ranks at the 60th percentile in Indiana, placing it as the 739th out of 1831 schools statewide.
Scores in English Language Arts and Math show that 13% and 14% of students are proficient or above, respectively, while proficiency in science is currently at zero percent. Darden Elementary focuses on developing a nurturing environment for its young learners, emphasizing social-emotional development alongside academics. With room for academic growth, the school continues to work diligently toward improving educational outcomes for all its students.
The suburban setting of Darden Elementary provides a safe and supportive community where families actively engage in their children’s education and extracurricular activities.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Darden Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Darden Elementary School — Students at Darden Elementary School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 15 test records from IN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.8/10.
How Darden Elementary School Compares
See how Darden Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 23% (2019) to 18.88% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 23% (2019) to 21.68% (2025).
Location
18645 Janet St, South Bend, IN 46637
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Darden Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Swanson Traditional School (rated 9.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Madison S.T.E.A.M. Academy (rated 8.3/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GOOD SHEPHERD MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in South Bend, see our South Bend schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Clay High School South Bend | 0.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Clay International Academy South Bend | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Swanson Traditional School South Bend | 0.9 mi | 9.5 |
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL South Bend | 1.2 mi | 5.6 |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOP CENTER Notre Dame | 1.7 mi | — |
| PEACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Granger | 1.8 mi | — |
| Rise Up Academy at Eggleston South Bend | 3.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Edison Middle School South Bend | 2.9 mi | 6.4 |
| South Bend Virtual School South Bend | 3.0 mi | 4.7 |
| ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL South Bend | 3.3 mi | 6.8 |
| GRANGER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Granger | 2.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Madison S.T.E.A.M. Academy South Bend | 3.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Merritt Elementary School Niles | 3.4 mi | 6.3 |
| McKinley Elementary School South Bend | 3.5 mi | 3.8 |
| ST JOSEPH GRADE SCHOOL South Bend | 3.5 mi | 6.5 |
| GOOD SHEPHERD MONTESSORI SCHOOL South Bend | 3.6 mi | 8.0 |
| TRINITY SCHOOL AT GREENLAWN South Bend | 3.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Marquette Montessori Academy South Bend | 3.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Brandywine Elementary School Niles | 3.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Muessel Elementary School South Bend | 3.4 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46637 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,401
Median Home Value
$192,000
Median Rent
$1,167/mo
Population
16,079
College Educated
37.6%
Homeownership
69.1%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
9.7%
Median Age
39
Community Profile
The community surrounding Darden Elementary School has a median household income of $72,401. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $192,000, with a median rent of $1,167/month. The local poverty rate of 9.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Aspire Charter Academy Gary, IN | 6.9 |
| Boone Meadow Whitestown, IN | 6.9 |
| Daleville Elementary School Daleville, IN | 6.9 |
| Eagle Elementary School Zionsville, IN | 6.9 |
| Eastern Pulaski Elementary School Winamac, IN | 6.9 |
| F Willard Crichfield Elementary Laporte, IN | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Darden Elementary School
What grades does Darden Elementary School serve?
Darden Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Darden Elementary School?
Darden Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 465 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Darden Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Darden Elementary School is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Darden Elementary School rank in IN?
Darden Elementary School is ranked #663 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Darden Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Darden Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Darden Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Darden Elementary School has 18.4% math proficiency and 20.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Darden Elementary School a charter school?
No, Darden Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Darden Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Darden Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Darden Elementary School?
67.1% of students at Darden 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,032/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (South Bend). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 465
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- St. Joseph County
- Phone
- (574) 243-7335
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
South Bend Community School Corp- District Enrollment
- 14,486
- Schools in District
- 31
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,751
- District Rank
- #13 of 29
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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