Needs Improvement
#1636 of 1,823 schools in IN
Dickinson Fine Arts Academy
Middle School · South Bend Community School Corp
4404 Elwood, South Bend, IN 46628
Enrollment
519
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
3.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
519
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
3.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Indiana schools
#1,636 of 1,823
In South Bend
#22 of 34
public schools
In district
#18 of 29
South Bend Community School Corp
School environment
8.1 / 10
Excellent
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Dickinson Fine Arts Academy
Middle School in South Bend · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Coquillard Elementary School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
St John the Baptist Catholic School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Dickinson Fine Arts Academy
Dickinson Fine Arts Academy is a public middle school in South Bend, IN, part of South Bend Community School Corp. Dickinson Fine Arts Academy serves approximately 519 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Dickinson Fine Arts Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,636 of 1,823 schools in IN.
Structured state assessment records for Dickinson Fine Arts Academy show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.1
- IN avg 5.5
What Parents Should Know
38% of students at Dickinson Fine Arts Academy 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
Dickinson Fine Arts Academy — Students at Dickinson Fine Arts Academy score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 39 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: 2.8/10.
How Dickinson Fine Arts Academy Compares
See how Dickinson Fine Arts Academy 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
4404 Elwood, South Bend, IN 46628
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dickinson Fine Arts Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. LaSalle Academy (rated 7.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Career Academy Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Navarre Middle School (rated 3.0/10, 1.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in South Bend, see our South Bend schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Coquillard Elementary School South Bend | 0.3 mi | 1.9 |
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL South Bend | 0.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Success Academy Primary School South Bend | 0.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Lafayette Early Childhood Center South Bend | 1.0 mi | — |
| Washington High School South Bend | 1.2 mi | 4.5 |
| LaSalle Academy South Bend | 1.1 mi | 7.9 |
| HOLY FAMILY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL South Bend | 1.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Excel Center - South Bend South Bend | 1.4 mi | 2.6 |
| Navarre Middle School South Bend | 1.7 mi | 3.0 |
| Kennedy Academy South Bend | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Harrison Elementary School South Bend | 1.8 mi | 3.9 |
| CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOL South Bend | 1.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Wilson Elementary School South Bend | 2.0 mi | 2.7 |
| Marquette Montessori Academy South Bend | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| ST ADALBERT CATHOLIC SCHOOL South Bend | 2.1 mi | 6.1 |
| HOLY CROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL South Bend | 1.9 mi | 8.8 |
| Muessel Elementary School South Bend | 2.1 mi | 3.1 |
| Career Academy High School South Bend | 2.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Career Academy Middle School South Bend | 2.7 mi | 5.8 |
| RESURRECTION LUTHERAN ACADEMY South Bend | 2.7 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46628 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,889
Median Home Value
$164,500
Median Rent
$1,068/mo
Population
27,929
College Educated
26.1%
Homeownership
68.8%
Avg Commute
20.3 min
Poverty Rate
21.5%
Median Age
36.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lapel Middle School Lapel, IN | 3.9 |
| North Side Middle School Elkhart, IN | 3.9 |
| Kekionga Middle School Fort Wayne, IN | 4.0 |
| Southside Middle School Muncie, IN | 3.8 |
| William Fegely Middle School Portage, IN | 4.0 |
| Beech Grove Middle School Beech Grove, IN | 3.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dickinson Fine Arts Academy
What grades does Dickinson Fine Arts Academy serve?
Dickinson Fine Arts Academy serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Dickinson Fine Arts Academy?
Dickinson Fine Arts Academy has an enrollment of approximately 519 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dickinson Fine Arts Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Dickinson Fine Arts Academy is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dickinson Fine Arts Academy rank in IN?
Dickinson Fine Arts Academy ranks #1,636 of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Dickinson Fine Arts Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Dickinson Fine Arts Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 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 Dickinson Fine Arts Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Dickinson Fine Arts Academy has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Dickinson Fine Arts Academy a charter school?
No, Dickinson Fine Arts Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dickinson Fine Arts Academy a Title I school?
No, Dickinson Fine Arts Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dickinson Fine Arts Academy?
75.7% of students at Dickinson Fine Arts Academy 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 519
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- St. Joseph County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 37.8%
- Phone
- (574) 393-3900
Resources & Links
District
South Bend Community School Corp- District Enrollment
- 14,486
- Schools in District
- 31
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,751
- District Rank
- #18 of 29
Other Schools in This District
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