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Average

#659 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 36% in state

Hickory Center Elementary School

Elementary School · Northwest Allen County Schools

3606 Baird Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46818

Enrollment

443

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fort Wayne

#32 of 74

public schools

Indiana elementary schools

#423 of 1,047

In district

#5 of 11

Northwest Allen County Schools

Academic growth

7.2 / 10

Strong

About Hickory Center Elementary School

Hickory Center Elementary School serves 443 students in grades PK through 5 in Fort Wayne, offering a strong academic foundation with personalized attention. With a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1 across 32 full-time equivalent teachers, students benefit from smaller class sizes that support individualized learning. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking 212th out of 1,831 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 88th percentile.

With an academic score of 8.1 out of 10, Hickory Center shows particular strength in mathematics, where 56% of students across all grade levels achieve proficiency or above. Located on Baird Road, the school draws families from the 46818 area, where the median household income reaches $80,874 and median home values are $200,600. The surrounding community of over 21,000 residents maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 9.1%, with 28% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher, creating a stable environment that values education.

Hickory Center Elementary operates in a rural setting near town, providing students with the benefits of a quieter, more spacious learning environment while maintaining access to Fort Wayne's broader educational and community resources.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Hickory Center Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.6Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.3%
Math vs. State Avg-2.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.1 pts
Overall Proficiency48%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected-6.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.6Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,309

Hickory Center Elementary School — Students at Hickory Center Elementary School score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

26.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 52.2%
School
State
46.1%
ELA Proficiency 48.0%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 15 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
52%
ELA
49%
2021*
Math
60%
ELA
54%
2022
Math
56%
2025
Math
49.4%
ELA
46.3%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Hickory Center Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
64th percentile in IN
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

3606 Baird Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46818

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hickory Center Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lincoln Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PINE HILLS LEARNING PLACE (rated 8.5/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Huntertown Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Huntertown), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Fort Wayne, see our Fort Wayne schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Carroll High School Fort Wayne 0.3 mi 7.3
Eel River Elementary School Fort Wayne 1.0 mi 6.8
Carroll Middle School Fort Wayne 1.3 mi 4.1
Aspen Meadow Elementary School Fort Wayne 1.7 mi 4.6
Washington Center Elementary Sch Fort Wayne 2.1 mi 7.6
Huntertown Elementary School Huntertown 3.0 mi 7.7
Maple Creek Middle School Fort Wayne 3.1 mi 4.6
Perry Hill Elementary School Fort Wayne 3.3 mi 4.7
PINE HILLS LEARNING PLACE Fort Wayne 3.2 mi 8.5
Oak View Elementary School Fort Wayne 3.3 mi 7.5
Northrop High School Fort Wayne 4.0 mi 6.0
Cedar Canyon Elementary School Fort Wayne 4.0 mi 6.5
Lincoln Elementary School Fort Wayne 4.3 mi 8.9
Shawnee Middle School Fort Wayne 4.4 mi 5.2
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SCHOOL Fort Wayne 4.2 mi 5.9
Northcrest Elementary School Fort Wayne 5.2 mi 7.1
Northwood Middle School Fort Wayne 5.1 mi 5.9
BISHOP DWENGER HIGH SCHOOL Fort Wayne 5.1 mi 5.8
Mabel K Holland Elementary School Fort Wayne 5.0 mi 4.5
INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP SCHOOL Fort Wayne 5.1 mi 9.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46818 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,583

Median Home Value

$221,000

Median Rent

$1,274/mo

Population

21,914

College Educated

30.5%

Homeownership

85.7%

Avg Commute

21.3 min

Poverty Rate

8.6%

Median Age

35.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hickory Center Elementary School has a median household income of $86,583. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $221,000, with a median rent of $1,274/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Darden Elementary School South Bend, IN 6.9
Eagle Elementary School Zionsville, IN 6.9
Eastern Pulaski Elementary School Winamac, IN 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hickory Center Elementary School

What grades does Hickory Center Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Hickory Center Elementary School?

Hickory Center Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 443 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hickory Center Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Hickory Center Elementary School is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hickory Center Elementary School rank in IN?

Hickory Center Elementary School is ranked #659 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Hickory Center Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hickory Center 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 Hickory Center Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hickory Center Elementary School has 52.2% math proficiency and 48.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hickory Center Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Hickory Center Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

26.4% of students at Hickory Center 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

City Safety
High (2,551/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fort Wayne). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
443
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
26.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Allen County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Northwest Allen County Schools
District Enrollment
8,383
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,914
District Rank
#5 of 11

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 methodology

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