Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#401 of 478 private schools in IN

Whispering Brook School

Middle School

4622 W 400 S, Berne, IN 46711

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IN statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

40

Student-Teacher

13.3:1

Score

3.9

Grades

1st – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Berne

#3 of 17

public schools

Indiana middle schools

#45 of 120

About Whispering Brook School

Whispering Brook School serves 40 students in grades 1-8 in the rural community of Berne, Indiana. With just three full-time equivalent teachers, this small public school maintains an intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1, allowing for personalized attention that larger schools often cannot provide. The school earns a solid 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks 271st among Indiana's 478 elementary and middle schools, placing it in the 44th percentile statewide.

This middle-of-the-pack performance suggests steady educational offerings with opportunities for continued growth and development. Whispering Brook's location in ZIP code 46711 reflects a stable working-class community where the median household income is $57,786 and median home values reach $168,600. About 18% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate sits at 12.5%.

The community of roughly 8,400 residents provides a close-knit atmosphere where families often know their neighbors and children can grow up with a strong sense of community connection. The school's rural setting offers students a peaceful learning environment away from urban distractions, where the pace of life allows for meaningful relationships between students, teachers, and families in this corner of Adams County.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 40 students, Whispering Brook School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

As a private school, Whispering Brook School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Located in a rural area, Whispering Brook 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.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Whispering Brook School compares to the 3 public schools in Berne, IN

Student-Teacher Ratio
13.3:1
This School
vs
13.2:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
40
This School
vs
436
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
3.9
This School
vs
7.4
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 100% vs 0%
Whispering Brook School Berne Public Avg

All Schools in Berne

School Rating
Whispering Brook School (this school) 3.9
South Adams High School 7.8
South Adams Middle School 6.7
South Adams Elementary School 7.7

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in IN.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B 6.0 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 13.3:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
D 1.4 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 835
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C 3.2 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 0%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 3.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 40
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in IN

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 100.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

4622 W 400 S, Berne, IN 46711

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Whispering Brook School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. South Adams Middle School (rated 6.7/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CURVE CREEK SCHOOL (rated 3.8/10, 5.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, WINCHESTER SCHOOL (rated 3.7/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Monroe), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Berne, see our Berne schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.1 mi
School Distance Rating
COTTONWOOD LANE SCHOOL Berne 0.9 mi 2.6
SPRING MEADOW SCHOOL Bluffton 1.3 mi 3.0
CLEARVIEW AMISH SCHOOL Berne 2.8 mi 3.0
HARTFORD VALLEY SCHOOL Geneva 4.4 mi
WINCHESTER SCHOOL Monroe 4.2 mi 3.7
WEST WABASH SCHOOL Geneva 4.7 mi 2.8
WEST WABASH SCHOOL Geneva 4.7 mi 2.8
South Adams High School Berne 4.2 mi 7.8
BLUE CREEK SCHOOL Berne 3.9 mi 3.7
South Adams Middle School Berne 4.3 mi 6.7
South Adams Elementary School Berne 4.3 mi 7.7
WHITE OAK RIDGE Geneva 4.8 mi
FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Berne 4.7 mi
FAIRVIEW SCHOOL Monroe 5.3 mi 3.1
CURVE CREEK SCHOOL Berne 5.2 mi 3.8
SWISS VALLEY SCHOOL Monroe 5.6 mi 3.5
CANOPE SCHOOL Berne 5.8 mi 2.9
CANOPE SCHOOL Berne 5.8 mi 2.9
Adams Central Elementary School Monroe 6.1 mi 6.6
Adams Central High School Monroe 6.1 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46711 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,817

Median Home Value

$180,200

Median Rent

$773/mo

Population

8,211

College Educated

18.4%

Homeownership

77.1%

Avg Commute

20.4 min

Poverty Rate

15.7%

Median Age

28.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Whispering Brook School has a median household income of $59,817. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $180,200, with a median rent of $773/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.7%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
VALLEY LINE Shipshewana, IN 3.9
COUNTRY VALLEY SCHOOL Monroe, IN 3.8
CURVE CREEK SCHOOL Berne, IN 3.8
EDEN MEADOW SCHOOL Millersburg, IN 4.0
HONEY BROOK SCHOOL Topeka, IN 3.8
JAY CREEK SCHOOL Bryant, IN 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Whispering Brook School

What grades does Whispering Brook School serve?

Whispering Brook School serves students in grades 1st through 8th.

How many students attend Whispering Brook School?

Whispering Brook School has an enrollment of approximately 40 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Whispering Brook School?

The student-teacher ratio at Whispering Brook School is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Whispering Brook School rank in IN?

Whispering Brook School is ranked #401 out of 478 private schools in IN.

What is Whispering Brook School's MySchoolScout rating?

Whispering Brook 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.

Is Whispering Brook School a private school?

Yes, Whispering Brook School is a private coeducational school with a Amish affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Whispering Brook School a religious school?

Whispering Brook School has a Amish religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (283/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Berne). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
1st – 8th
Enrollment
40
Gender Split
48% M / 52% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Amish
School Day
5 hours
Days Per Year
167 days
Setting
Distant Rural
County
ADAMS
Data Year
2022–2023

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.