Needs Improvement
#1708 of 1,823 schools in IN
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
3.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
465
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Indiana schools
#1,708 of 1,823
In South Bend
#23 of 34
public schools
In district
#19 of 29
South Bend Community School Corp
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Darden Elementary School
Elementary School in South Bend · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Clay High School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Clay International Academy
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Darden Elementary School
Darden Elementary School is a public elementary school in South Bend, IN, part of South Bend Community School Corp. Darden Elementary School serves approximately 465 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Darden Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,708 of 1,823 schools in IN.
Structured state assessment records for Darden Elementary School show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.3
- IN avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
64% of students at Darden Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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 37 test records from IN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.4/10.
How Darden Elementary School Compares
See how Darden Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 9.7/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is GOOD SHEPHERD MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Merritt Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Niles), 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 | 5.3 |
| Clay International Academy South Bend | 0.9 mi | 4.1 |
| Swanson Traditional School South Bend | 0.9 mi | 9.7 |
| 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 | 5.3 |
| Edison Middle School South Bend | 2.9 mi | 2.9 |
| South Bend Virtual School South Bend | 3.0 mi | 4.5 |
| 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 | 6.5 |
| Merritt Elementary School Niles | 3.4 mi | 6.7 |
| McKinley Elementary School South Bend | 3.5 mi | 3.0 |
| 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 | 5.8 |
| Brandywine Elementary School Niles | 3.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Muessel Elementary School South Bend | 3.4 mi | 3.1 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central Elementary School Indianapolis, IN | 3.4 |
| Daniel Webster School 46 Indianapolis, IN | 3.4 |
| Delphi Community Elementary School Delphi, IN | 3.4 |
| Lake Hills Elementary School Michigan City, IN | 3.4 |
| Nuner Fine Arts Academy South Bend, IN | 3.4 |
| Parker Elementary School New Castle, IN | 3.4 |
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 ranks #1,708 of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Darden Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Darden Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 Darden Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Darden Elementary School has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 64.1%
- Phone
- (574) 243-7335
Resources & Links
District
South Bend Community School Corp- District Enrollment
- 14,486
- Schools in District
- 31
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,751
- District Rank
- #19 of 29
Other Schools in This District
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