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
Enrollment
443
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Hickory Center Elementary School — Students at Hickory Center Elementary School score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
26.4%
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: 7.2/10.
How Hickory Center Elementary School Compares
See how Hickory Center Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 49.34% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 46.29% (2025).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
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
- Phone
- (260) 637-3758
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Northwest Allen County Schools- District Enrollment
- 8,383
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,914
- District Rank
- #5 of 11
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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