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Needs Improvement

#1747 of 1,823 schools in IN

Muessel Elementary School

Elementary School · South Bend Community School Corp

1021 Blaine St, South Bend, IN 46628

Enrollment

274

Student-Teacher

5.2:1

Score

3.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#1,747 of 1,823

In South Bend

#26 of 34

public schools

In district

#22 of 29

South Bend Community School Corp

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Muessel Elementary School

3.1/10

Elementary School in South Bend · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Holy Cross Elementary School

8.8/10

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

Madison S.t.e.a.m. Academy

6.5/10

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

About Muessel Elementary School

Muessel Elementary School is a public elementary school in South Bend, IN, part of South Bend Community School Corp. Muessel Elementary School serves approximately 274 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 5.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Muessel Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,747 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for Muessel Elementary School show 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.2 pts below district
  • This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.3
  • IN avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

At 5.2:1 students to teachers, Muessel Elementary School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

76% of students at Muessel Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.12 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency3.7% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency8% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg-47.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-32.2 pts
Overall Proficiency6% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)29% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected-22.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,751
Chronic Absenteeism75.5%

Muessel Elementary School — Students at Muessel Elementary School score 6% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 20.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
46.1% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 26.8% (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
42%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
7.5%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
7.5%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2022
Math
2.5%
2025
Math
3.4%
ELA
8%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Muessel Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.1/10
4th percentile in IN
Academic
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
5:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
75.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1021 Blaine St, South Bend, IN 46628

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Muessel Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HOLY CROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in South Bend, see our South Bend schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
HOLY CROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL South Bend 0.3 mi 8.8
Madison S.T.E.A.M. Academy South Bend 0.8 mi 6.5
Marquette Montessori Academy South Bend 1.1 mi 5.8
Kennedy Academy South Bend 1.0 mi 6.5
LaSalle Academy South Bend 1.1 mi 7.9
Excel Center - South Bend South Bend 1.2 mi 2.6
ST ADALBERT CATHOLIC SCHOOL South Bend 1.6 mi 6.1
Purdue Polytechnic High School South Bend South Bend 1.6 mi 4.8
ST JOSEPH GRADE SCHOOL South Bend 1.5 mi 6.5
Success Academy Primary School South Bend 1.5 mi 6.9
ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL South Bend 1.5 mi 6.8
Juvenile Justice Center South Bend 2.0 mi
DEPAUL ACADEMY South Bend 2.0 mi
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL South Bend 1.6 mi 8.6
CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOL South Bend 2.0 mi 8.0
Harrison Elementary School South Bend 1.9 mi 3.9
Rise Up Academy at Eggleston South Bend 1.7 mi 5.3
South Bend Virtual School South Bend 1.8 mi 4.5
OUR LADY OF HUNGARY SCHOOL South Bend 2.4 mi 7.1
Coquillard Elementary School South Bend 1.8 mi 1.9

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Farrington Grove Elementary School Terre Haute, IN 3.1
Pettit Park School Kokomo, IN 3.1
Abraham Lincoln Elementary School East Chicago, IN 3.2
Beveridge Elementary School Gary, IN 3.0
Canaan Community Academy Canaan, IN 3.0
Inspire Academy - A Sch of Inquiry Muncie, IN 3.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Muessel Elementary School

What grades does Muessel Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Muessel Elementary School?

Muessel Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 274 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Muessel Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Muessel Elementary School is 5.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Muessel Elementary School rank in IN?

Muessel Elementary School ranks #1,747 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Muessel Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Muessel Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 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 Muessel Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Muessel Elementary School has 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Muessel Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Muessel Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

70.1% of students at Muessel 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
59 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
85 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
274
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
53
Free/Reduced Lunch
70.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
St. Joseph County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
75.5%

District

South Bend Community School Corp
District Enrollment
14,486
Schools in District
31
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,751
District Rank
#22 of 29

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