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#941 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

6.2

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Aurora

#1 of 4

public schools

Indiana middle schools

#146 of 330

In district

#2 of 5

South Dearborn Community Sch Corp

School environment

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About South Dearborn Middle School

South Dearborn Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Aurora, Indiana, in the rural setting of Dearborn County. The school serves students in grades 7 and 8 with an enrollment of 293 students and maintains a supportive student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1. With 24 full-time equivalent teachers, South Dearborn Middle School focuses on providing personalized attention to each student.

While the academic performance metrics show room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and a state ranking of 1546 out of 1831 schools in Indiana (16th percentile), the school continues to work diligently on enhancing educational outcomes. Students typically score around 27% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 18% proficient or above in Math, indicating areas where additional support is needed. South Dearborn Middle School is situated in a quiet rural area near Aurora, offering students a peaceful setting conducive to learning and community engagement.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at South Dearborn Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, South Dearborn Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.95 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.0Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.6%
Math vs. State Avg-14.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.5 pts
Overall Proficiency28%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected-11.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,424

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 22.9%
School
State
37.6%
ELA Proficiency 37.0%
School
State
40.5%

Based on 11 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
28%
ELA
40%
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: 6.5/10.

How South Dearborn Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.2/10
48th percentile in IN
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

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

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 5.8/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Rising Sun), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Greendale Middle School (rated 4.8/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Lawrenceburg), a more accessible option. 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 5.2
South Dearborn High School Aurora 0.1 mi 3.9
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 4.8
Lawrenceburg Primary School Lawrenceburg 4.8 mi 6.2
ST LAWRENCE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lawrenceburg 4.8 mi 8.1
Lawrenceburg High School Lawrenceburg 4.9 mi 3.9
Central Elementary School Lawrenceburg 4.9 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 8.8 mi 7.0
Ohio County Middle School Rising Sun 8.8 mi 5.8
Dillsboro Elementary School Dillsboro 7.8 mi 8.5
Bright Elementary School Lawrenceburg 10.7 mi 6.5
Thornwilde Elementary School Hebron 10.4 mi 8.3
Switzerland Co Elementary School East Enterprise 13.5 mi 7.4
ACCEL Academy Burlington 10.8 mi 5.8
Milan Elementary School Milan 11.1 mi 7.5

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 Middle 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
Cedar Crest Intermediate School Huntingburg, IN 6.2
Greencastle Middle School Greencastle, IN 6.2
Martin T Krueger Middle School Michigan City, IN 6.2
Owen Valley Middle School Spencer, IN 6.2
Southwestern Middle School Hanover, IN 6.2
Northwest Community Middle School Indianapolis, IN 6.3

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 is ranked #941 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is South Dearborn Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Dearborn Middle School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Dearborn Middle School has 22.9% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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 →

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
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
#2 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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