Average
#1172 of 1,823 schools in IN
James Cole Elementary School
Elementary School · Tippecanoe School Corp
6418 E 900 S, Lafayette, IN 47909
Enrollment
315
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
315
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lafayette
#16 of 24
public schools
Indiana elementary schools
#701 of 1,047
In district
#15 of 19
Tippecanoe School Corp
Equity
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About James Cole Elementary School
James Cole Elementary School serves 315 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Lafayette, Indiana, maintaining a comfortable student-teacher ratio of 15.8 to 1 with 20 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks in the 80th percentile statewide at #371 out of 1,831 Indiana elementary schools. Academically, James Cole Elementary earns an 8.3 out of 10 academic score, with 57% of students achieving proficiency or above in mathematics across all grade levels.
This performance reflects the school's commitment to providing quality elementary education in a supportive learning environment. The school draws from a stable community where the median household income is $64,328 and median home value is $180,700. About 30% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 12%.
These community characteristics contribute to a supportive educational environment for students and families. James Cole Elementary School is situated in a rural area near Lafayette, offering students the benefits of small-town education while remaining connected to the broader Tippecanoe County community.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, James Cole 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
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James Cole Elementary School — Students at James Cole Elementary School score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.8%
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
↓ 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: 5.1/10.
How James Cole Elementary School Compares
See how James Cole Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 56.33% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 44.94% (2025).
Location
6418 E 900 S, Lafayette, IN 47909
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James Cole Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Woodland Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 5.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dayton Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Dayton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wea Ridge Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 6.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lafayette, see our Lafayette schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wainwright Middle School Lafayette | 2.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Dayton Elementary School Dayton | 6.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Woodland Elementary School Lafayette | 5.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Wea Ridge Middle School Lafayette | 6.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Wea Ridge Elementary School Lafayette | 6.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Wyandotte Elementary Lafayette | 8.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Mayflower Mill Elementary School Lafayette | 7.3 mi | 5.3 |
| FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lafayette | 9.0 mi | 6.8 |
| KINDER CARE Lafayette | 8.0 mi | — |
| Miami Elementary School Lafayette | 8.2 mi | 7.3 |
| McCutcheon High School Lafayette | 7.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Edgelea Elementary School Lafayette | 8.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Amelia Earhart Elementary School Lafayette | 8.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Lafayette Tecumseh Jr High School Lafayette | 8.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Jefferson High School Lafayette | 9.0 mi | 6.9 |
| CENTRAL CATHOLIC JR SR HIGH SCHOOL Lafayette | 9.0 mi | 7.2 |
| FOLLOW THE CHILD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lafayette | 9.7 mi | — |
| Oakland Elementary School Lafayette | 9.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Glen Acres Elementary School Lafayette | 10.2 mi | 5.4 |
| LAFAYETTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lafayette | 10.2 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 47909 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,341
Median Home Value
$203,600
Median Rent
$1,091/mo
Population
42,971
College Educated
32.4%
Homeownership
65.9%
Avg Commute
17.3 min
Poverty Rate
12.8%
Median Age
35
Community Profile
The community surrounding James Cole Elementary School has a median household income of $67,341. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $203,600, with a median rent of $1,091/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| Circle City Preparatory Elementary School Indianapolis, IN | 5.8 |
| Crisman Elementary School Portage, IN | 5.8 |
| George Washington Elementary Sch East Chicago, IN | 5.8 |
| Riverview Elementary School Marion, IN | 5.8 |
| ST PATRICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chesterton, IN | 5.8 |
| Tecumseh-Harrison Elementary Sch Vincennes, IN | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James Cole Elementary School
What grades does James Cole Elementary School serve?
James Cole Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend James Cole Elementary School?
James Cole Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 315 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Cole Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at James Cole Elementary School is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James Cole Elementary School rank in IN?
James Cole Elementary School is ranked #1172 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is James Cole Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
James Cole Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 James Cole Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Cole Elementary School has 56.7% math proficiency and 47.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James Cole Elementary School a charter school?
No, James Cole Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Cole Elementary School a Title I school?
No, James Cole Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Cole Elementary School?
37.8% of students at James Cole 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,651/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lafayette). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 315
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 37.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Tippecanoe County
- Phone
- (765) 523-2141
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tippecanoe School Corp- District Enrollment
- 13,526
- Schools in District
- 20
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,453
- District Rank
- #15 of 19
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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