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Below Average

#1416 of 1,823 schools in IN

South Dearborn Middle School

Middle School · South Dearborn Community Sch Corp

5850 Squire Pl, Aurora, IN 47001

Enrollment

293

Student-Teacher

12.2:1

Score

4.9

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#1,416 of 1,823

In Aurora

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#4 of 5

South Dearborn Community Sch Corp

School environment

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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South Dearborn Middle School

4.9/10

Middle School in Aurora · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Aurora Elementary School

5.1/10

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

South Dearborn High School

4.6/10

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

About South Dearborn Middle School

South Dearborn Middle School is a public middle school in Aurora, IN, part of South Dearborn Community Sch Corp. South Dearborn Middle School serves approximately 293 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. South Dearborn Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,416 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for South Dearborn Middle School show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below IN schools
  • This school 4.9 · Below Average
  • IN avg 5.5

What Parents Should Know

South Dearborn Middle 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 Progress3.8Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.8% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.6% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg-14.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.5 pts
Overall Proficiency28% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected-11.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,268

South Dearborn Middle School — Students at South Dearborn Middle School score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 45.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
37.6% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 55.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.5% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 33 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
81%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
80%
ELA
74%
2011
Math
75%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
85%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
85%
ELA
81%
2014
Math
43%
ELA
66%
2015
Math
41%
ELA
63%
2016
Math
45%
ELA
55%
2017
Math
44%
ELA
58%
2018
Math
28%
ELA
40%
2019
Math
28%
ELA
40%
2020*
Math
21%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
41%
2022
Math
23%
2025
Math
21.8%
ELA
34.6%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How South Dearborn Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
22th percentile in IN
Academic
4.0/10
Below Average
Growth
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.8/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

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

5850 Squire Pl, Aurora, IN 47001

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Dearborn Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Ohio County Middle School (rated 7.2/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Rising Sun), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Greendale Middle School (rated 6.0/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Lawrenceburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Aurora, see our Aurora schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Aurora Elementary School Aurora 0.1 mi 5.1
South Dearborn High School Aurora 0.1 mi 4.6
ST JOHN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Aurora 1.6 mi 6.8
ST MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Aurora 1.8 mi 6.8
Greendale Middle School Lawrenceburg 4.7 mi 6.0
Lawrenceburg Primary School Lawrenceburg 4.8 mi 6.7
ST LAWRENCE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lawrenceburg 4.8 mi 8.1
Lawrenceburg High School Lawrenceburg 4.9 mi 6.0
Central Elementary School Lawrenceburg 4.9 mi 7.6
Manchester Elementary School Aurora 6.3 mi 6.3
Charles H. Kelly Elementary School Burlington 7.8 mi 8.9
Rising Sun High School Rising Sun 8.7 mi 7.2
Ohio County Elementary School Rising Sun 8.8 mi 6.2
Ohio County Middle School Rising Sun 8.8 mi 7.2
Dillsboro Elementary School Dillsboro 7.8 mi 7.7
Bright Elementary School Lawrenceburg 10.7 mi 6.4
Thornwilde Elementary School Hebron 10.4 mi 9.0
Switzerland Co Elementary School East Enterprise 13.5 mi 4.9
ACCEL Academy Burlington 10.8 mi 2.3
Milan Elementary School Milan 11.1 mi 4.9

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Barker Middle School Michigan City, IN 4.9
Portage Middle School Fort Wayne, IN 4.9
Southwestern Middle School Hanover, IN 4.9
Bailly Middle School Gary, IN 5.0
Virtual Preparatory Academy of Indiana at Madison-Grant 6-8 Fairmount, IN 5.0
Wainwright Middle School Lafayette, IN 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Dearborn Middle School

What grades does South Dearborn Middle School serve?

South Dearborn Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend South Dearborn Middle School?

South Dearborn Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 293 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at South Dearborn Middle School is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Dearborn Middle School rank in IN?

South Dearborn Middle School ranks #1,416 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is South Dearborn Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Dearborn Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 South Dearborn Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Dearborn Middle School has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is South Dearborn Middle School a charter school?

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

Is South Dearborn Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

50.9% of students at South Dearborn Middle 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
15 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
293
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Dearborn County

District

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

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