Average
#933 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
6.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
519
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
6.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In South Bend
#23 of 34
public schools
Indiana middle schools
#143 of 330
In district
#19 of 29
South Bend Community School Corp
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Dickinson Fine Arts Academy
Dickinson Fine Arts Academy is a public middle school serving grades 6–8 in South Bend, with 519 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1. The school has earned a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10 and ranks #169 out of 1,831 Indiana schools, placing it in the 91st percentile statewide—a strong performance indicator for the region. The school's academic profile shows particular strength in ELA/reading instruction, where 10% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels.
Mathematics represents an area with significant room for growth, with 3% of students currently meeting proficiency benchmarks. With an academic score of 8.3/10, Dickinson demonstrates solid educational fundamentals and commitment to student development. The school's teaching staff of 38 full-time equivalent educators works with a manageable class structure that supports individualized attention.
As a fine arts academy within South Bend's public school system, the school brings a specialized focus to the broader middle school curriculum. Located at 4404 Elwood in this mid-size Indiana city, Dickinson Fine Arts Academy serves families seeking a public middle school option with specialized programming in the South Bend community.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Dickinson Fine Arts Academy 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
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 17 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: 7.9/10.
How Dickinson Fine Arts Academy Compares
See how Dickinson Fine Arts Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 5% (2019) to 5.07% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 10.14% (2025).
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 9.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Career Academy Middle School (rated 9.5/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Navarre Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 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 | 6.2 |
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL South Bend | 0.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Success Academy Primary School South Bend | 0.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Lafayette Early Childhood Center South Bend | 1.0 mi | — |
| Washington High School South Bend | 1.2 mi | 7.3 |
| LaSalle Academy South Bend | 1.1 mi | 9.8 |
| HOLY FAMILY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL South Bend | 1.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Excel Center - South Bend South Bend | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Navarre Middle School South Bend | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Kennedy Academy South Bend | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Harrison Elementary School South Bend | 1.8 mi | 7.7 |
| CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOL South Bend | 1.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Wilson Elementary School South Bend | 2.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Marquette Montessori Academy South Bend | 1.8 mi | 8.0 |
| 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 | 6.1 |
| Career Academy High School South Bend | 2.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Career Academy Middle School South Bend | 2.7 mi | 9.5 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dickinson Fine Arts Academy has a median household income of $56,889. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $164,500, with a median rent of $1,068/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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 |
|---|---|
| Corydon Intermediate School Corydon, IN | 6.3 |
| Greenfield Intermediate School Greenfield, IN | 6.3 |
| Jennings County Middle School North Vernon, IN | 6.3 |
| Justice Thurgood Marshall Intrmd Marion, IN | 6.3 |
| Northwest Community Middle School Indianapolis, IN | 6.3 |
| Bedford Middle School Bedford, IN | 6.2 |
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 is ranked #933 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Dickinson Fine Arts Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Dickinson Fine Arts Academy has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Dickinson Fine Arts Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dickinson Fine Arts Academy has 4.5% math proficiency and 9.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- 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
- 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
- Phone
- (574) 393-3900
- 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
- #19 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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