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Needs Improvement

#1728 of 1,823 schools in IN

South Dearborn High School

High School · South Dearborn Community Sch Corp

5770 Highlander Dr, Aurora, IN 47001

Enrollment

645

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

3.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Aurora

#4 of 4

public schools

Indiana high schools

#367 of 388

In district

#5 of 5

South Dearborn Community Sch Corp

School environment

7.3 / 10

Strong

About South Dearborn High School

South Dearborn High School serves grades 9 through 12 in Aurora, Indiana, with an enrollment of 645 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1. The school's academic performance places it in the 86th percentile statewide, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10 and an academic score of 8.8/10. In English Language Arts, 55% of students score proficient or above, reflecting solid performance in reading and writing.

Mathematics shows an area of focus, with 21% of students reaching proficiency—indicating opportunities for academic growth in this subject. The school's overall standing at #249 out of 1,831 Indiana schools demonstrates it performs well relative to peers across the state. With 44 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, South Dearborn High School maintains manageable class sizes that support individual student attention.

The rural setting near town creates a close-knit community environment where students can develop strong connections with peers and staff while accessing the resources of a full-service high school.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, South Dearborn High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.1Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.78 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected-13.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College Readiness1.7Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation1.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.3Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,424

South Dearborn High School — Students at South Dearborn High School score 34% proficient, which is below 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 EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 21.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
25%
ELA
58%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
17%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How South Dearborn High School Compares

See how South Dearborn High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.9/10
5th percentile in IN
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
3.1/10
Below average
Environment
7.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers

Location

5770 Highlander Dr, Aurora, IN 47001

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Dearborn High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Rising Sun High School (rated 6.5/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Rising Sun), which scores notably higher. Another option is ACCEL Academy (rated 5.8/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Burlington), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lawrenceburg High School (rated 3.9/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Lawrenceburg), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Aurora, see our Aurora schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.0 mi
School Distance Rating
South Dearborn Middle School Aurora 0.1 mi 6.2
Aurora Elementary School Aurora 0.1 mi 5.2
ST JOHN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Aurora 1.6 mi 6.8
ST MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Aurora 1.7 mi 6.8
Greendale Middle School Lawrenceburg 4.6 mi 4.8
Lawrenceburg Primary School Lawrenceburg 4.7 mi 6.2
ST LAWRENCE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lawrenceburg 4.7 mi 8.1
Lawrenceburg High School Lawrenceburg 4.8 mi 3.9
Central Elementary School Lawrenceburg 4.8 mi 6.4
Manchester Elementary School Aurora 6.3 mi 5.7
Charles H. Kelly Elementary School Burlington 7.8 mi 8.8
Rising Sun High School Rising Sun 8.7 mi 6.5
Ohio County Elementary School Rising Sun 8.9 mi 7.0
Ohio County Middle School Rising Sun 8.9 mi 5.8
Dillsboro Elementary School Dillsboro 7.9 mi 8.5
Bright Elementary School Lawrenceburg 10.6 mi 6.5
Thornwilde Elementary School Hebron 10.3 mi 8.3
Switzerland Co Elementary School East Enterprise 13.6 mi 7.4
ACCEL Academy Burlington 10.8 mi 5.8
North Pointe Elementary School Hebron 11.0 mi 8.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 47001 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,560

Median Home Value

$190,300

Median Rent

$848/mo

Population

10,374

College Educated

17.5%

Homeownership

81.5%

Avg Commute

32.5 min

Poverty Rate

11.3%

Median Age

44.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Dearborn High School has a median household income of $72,560. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $190,300, with a median rent of $848/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. The average commute for residents is 33 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
Barr Reeve Middle/High School Montgomery, IN 3.9
Lawrenceburg High School Lawrenceburg, IN 3.9
Options Indiana Noblesville, IN 3.9
Seeger Memorial Jr-Sr High School West Lebanon, IN 3.9
Christel House Watanabe Manual High School Indianapolis, IN 4.0
Linton-Stockton High School Linton, IN 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Dearborn High School

What grades does South Dearborn High School serve?

South Dearborn High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend South Dearborn High School?

South Dearborn High School has an enrollment of approximately 645 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Dearborn High School?

The student-teacher ratio at South Dearborn High School is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Dearborn High School rank in IN?

South Dearborn High School is ranked #1728 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is South Dearborn High School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Dearborn High School has a composite rating of 3.9 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 South Dearborn High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Dearborn High School has 21.3% math proficiency and 55.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Dearborn High School a charter school?

No, South Dearborn High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South Dearborn High School a Title I school?

No, South Dearborn High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Dearborn High School?

37.8% of students at South Dearborn High 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
645
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Dearborn County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

South Dearborn Community Sch Corp
District Enrollment
1,878
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,268
District Rank
#5 of 5

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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