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Very Good

#482 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 26% in state

James Cole Elementary School

Elementary School · Tippecanoe School Corp

6418 E 900 S, Lafayette, IN 47909

Enrollment

315

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#482 of 1,823

In Lafayette

#4 of 24

public schools

In district

#9 of 19

Tippecanoe School Corp

Academic growth

8.0 / 10

Excellent

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James Cole Elementary School

7.6/10

Elementary School in Lafayette · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Wainwright Middle School

4.8/10

2.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Dayton Elementary School

7.9/10

6.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About James Cole Elementary School

James Cole Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lafayette, IN, part of Tippecanoe School Corp. James Cole Elementary School serves approximately 315 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. James Cole Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #482 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for James Cole Elementary School show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.6 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.3
  • IN avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

James Cole Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.7 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56.3% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.9% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg+4.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.7 pts
Overall Proficiency51% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected+2.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
Resources & Environment6.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,453
Chronic Absenteeism11.4%

James Cole Elementary School — Students at James Cole Elementary School score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
46.1% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 64.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 37 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
57%
2025
Math
56.4%
ELA
45%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How James Cole Elementary School Compares

See how James Cole Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
74th percentile in IN
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
8.0/10
Excellent
Environment
6.5/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
11.4%

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 8.1/10, 5.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Dayton Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Dayton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Edgelea Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 8.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 4.8
Dayton Elementary School Dayton 6.1 mi 7.9
Woodland Elementary School Lafayette 5.6 mi 8.1
Wea Ridge Middle School Lafayette 6.7 mi 5.4
Wea Ridge Elementary School Lafayette 6.8 mi 4.9
Wyandotte Elementary Lafayette 8.3 mi 6.9
Mayflower Mill Elementary School Lafayette 7.3 mi 5.7
FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lafayette 9.0 mi 6.8
KINDER CARE Lafayette 8.0 mi
Miami Elementary School Lafayette 8.2 mi 5.0
McCutcheon High School Lafayette 7.7 mi 6.1
Edgelea Elementary School Lafayette 8.4 mi 7.7
Amelia Earhart Elementary School Lafayette 8.3 mi 7.0
Lafayette Tecumseh Jr High School Lafayette 8.9 mi 5.6
Jefferson High School Lafayette 9.0 mi 5.3
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 5.7
Glen Acres Elementary School Lafayette 10.2 mi 6.3
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Central Elementary School Lawrenceburg, IN 7.6
GOOD SHEPHERD SCHOOL Evansville, IN 7.6
Handley Elementary School Laporte, IN 7.6
Jane Ball Elementary School Cedar Lake, IN 7.6
Laura Hose Elementary School Crawfordsville, IN 7.6
Needham Elementary School Franklin, IN 7.6

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 ranks #482 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is James Cole Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

James Cole Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 James Cole Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, James Cole Elementary School has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
11.4%

District

Tippecanoe School Corp
District Enrollment
13,526
Schools in District
20
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,453
District Rank
#9 of 19

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