Average
#751 of 1,823 schools in IN
Top 41% in state
Virgil I Grissom Middle School
Middle School · Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp
13881 Kern Rd, Mishawaka, IN 46544
Enrollment
648
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
648
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mishawaka
#8 of 18
public schools
Indiana middle schools
#113 of 330
In district
#7 of 15
Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Virgil I Grissom Middle School
Virgil I Grissom Middle School is a regular public middle school in Mishawaka, Indiana, located on Kern Road. Serving grades six through eight, the school has an enrollment of 648 students and employs 41 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1. Grissom Middle School is situated in a rural area near town, offering a close-knit community feel to its educational environment.
The academic performance at Grissom Middle School shows room for growth, with the school ranking at number 803 out of 1831 schools in Indiana, placing it around the 56th percentile. According to MySchoolScout's rating system, the school scores a 5.2 out of 10 overall and a 5.5 out of 10 for academics specifically. In terms of standardized tests, 32% of students are proficient in ELA/reading, while 24% meet proficiency standards in math; however, no students are currently meeting the science proficiency benchmark.
Despite these challenges, Grissom Middle School is committed to supporting its students' development and academic success. The school's setting in a rural area near town provides a unique blend of community support and educational opportunities for middle school-aged children.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Virgil I Grissom 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Virgil I Grissom Middle School — Students at Virgil I Grissom Middle School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 15 test records from IN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.8/10.
How Virgil I Grissom Middle School Compares
See how Virgil I Grissom Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 40.84% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 47.98% (2025).
Location
13881 Kern Rd, Mishawaka, IN 46544
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Virgil I Grissom Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ST JOSEPH CAMPUS (rated 6.6/10, 4.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Schmucker Middle School (rated 6.6/10, 5.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, MISHAWAKA CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 4.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Mishawaka, see our Mishawaka schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Elm Road Elementary School Mishawaka | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Fred J Hums Elementary School Mishawaka | 3.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Meadow's Edge Elementary School Mishawaka | 2.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Beiger Elementary School Mishawaka | 3.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Twin Branch Elementary School Mishawaka | 3.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Mishawaka High School Mishawaka | 3.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Emmons Elementary School Mishawaka | 3.6 mi | 7.0 |
| QUEEN OF PEACE SCHOOL Mishawaka | 4.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Elsie Rogers Elementary School Mishawaka | 4.7 mi | 7.3 |
| MISHAWAKA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Mishawaka | 4.2 mi | 5.5 |
| ST JOSEPH CAMPUS Mishawaka | 4.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Battell Elementary School Mishawaka | 4.6 mi | 7.0 |
| MARIAN HIGH SCHOOL Mishawaka | 4.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Schmucker Middle School Mishawaka | 5.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Penn High School Mishawaka | 5.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Madison Elementary School Wakarusa | 5.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Lasalle Elementary School Mishawaka | 4.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Moran Elementary School Osceola | 4.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Oaklawn Campus Program Mishawaka | 4.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Bittersweet Elementary School Mishawaka | 5.3 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46544 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,873
Median Home Value
$151,100
Median Rent
$1,018/mo
Population
31,138
College Educated
24.9%
Homeownership
66.4%
Avg Commute
22.2 min
Poverty Rate
18%
Median Age
35
Community Profile
The community surrounding Virgil I Grissom Middle School has a median household income of $57,873. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $151,100, with a median rent of $1,018/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.0%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Castle North Middle School Newburgh, IN | 6.7 |
| East Central Middle School St. Leon, IN | 6.7 |
| South Grove Intermediate School Beech Grove, IN | 6.7 |
| Anderson Intermediate School Anderson, IN | 6.8 |
| Angola Middle School Angola, IN | 6.8 |
| Castle South Middle School Newburgh, IN | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Virgil I Grissom Middle School
What grades does Virgil I Grissom Middle School serve?
Virgil I Grissom Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Virgil I Grissom Middle School?
Virgil I Grissom Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 648 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Virgil I Grissom Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Virgil I Grissom Middle 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 Virgil I Grissom Middle School rank in IN?
Virgil I Grissom Middle School is ranked #751 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Virgil I Grissom Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Virgil I Grissom Middle School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Virgil I Grissom Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Virgil I Grissom Middle School has 36.8% math proficiency and 48.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Virgil I Grissom Middle School a charter school?
No, Virgil I Grissom Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Virgil I Grissom Middle School a Title I school?
No, Virgil I Grissom Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Virgil I Grissom Middle School?
45.5% of students at Virgil I Grissom 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,808/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mishawaka). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 648
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- St. Joseph County
- Phone
- (574) 633-4061
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp- District Enrollment
- 11,538
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,141
- District Rank
- #7 of 15
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 methodologyRelated reading
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