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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best South Bend Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 39 public schools serving 16,493 students in South Bend, IN (there are 31 private schools, serving 5,610 private students). 77% of all K-12 students in South Bend, IN are educated in public schools (compared to the IN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in South Bend, IN are Swanson Traditional School, Lasalle Academy and Kennedy Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
South Bend, IN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 16% (versus the Indiana public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 21% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in South Bend have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Indiana public schools.
Minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Indiana public school average of 38% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Best Public Schools in South Bend, IN (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Swanson Traditional School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
17677 Parker Dr
South Bend, IN 46635
(574) 393-2700
Gr: PK-5 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #22.
Lasalle Academy
(Math: 42% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2701 W Elwood
South Bend, IN 46628
(574) 393-4700
Gr: 6-8 | 461 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #33.
Kennedy Academy
(Math: 43% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
609 N Olive St
South Bend, IN 46628
(574) 393-3100
Gr: K-5 | 443 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #44.
Purdue Polytechnic High School South Bend
Charter School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
635 S Lafayette Blvd
South Bend, IN 46601
(765) 494-7872
Gr: 9-12 | 138 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #55.
Adams High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
808 S Twyckenham Dr
South Bend, IN 46615
(574) 393-5300
Gr: 9-12 | 1,966 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #66.
Career Academy High School
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3801 Crescent Circle
South Bend, IN 46628
(574) 299-9800
Gr: 9-12 | 481 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #77.
Marshall Traditional School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1433 Byron Drive
South Bend, IN 46614
(574) 393-2100
Gr: PK-8 | 400 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #88.
Riley High School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1902 Fellows St
South Bend, IN 46613
(574) 393-5100
Gr: 9-12 | 1,238 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #99.
Clay High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
19131 Darden Rd
South Bend, IN 46637
(574) 393-4900
Gr: 9-12
Rank: #1010.
Warren Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
55400 Quince Rd
South Bend, IN 46619
(574) 393-2800
Gr: PK-5
Rank: #1111.
Rise Up Academy At Eggleston
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
740 N Eddy Street
South Bend, IN 46617
(574) 393-3500
Gr: 9-12 | 149 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #1212.
Jefferson Traditional School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
528 S Eddy St
South Bend, IN 46617
(574) 393-4100
Gr: 6-8 | 591 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1313.
Success Academy Primary School
Charter School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3408 Ardmore Trail
South Bend, IN 46628
(574) 299-9800
Gr: K-5 | 610 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #1414.
Darden Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
18645 Janet St
South Bend, IN 46637
(574) 243-7335
Gr: PK-5 | 375 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1515.
Marquette Montessori Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1818 Bergan St
South Bend, IN 46628
(574) 393-2400
Gr: PK-8 | 431 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #1616.
Clay International Academy
(Math: 13% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
52900 Lily Rd
South Bend, IN 46637
(574) 393-4300
Gr: PK-8 | 496 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1717.
Mckinley Elementary School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 12%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
228 N Greenlawn Ave
South Bend, IN 46617
(574) 393-3300
Gr: PK-5 | 315 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1818.
Nuner Fine Arts Academy
(Math: 12% | Reading: 13%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2716 Pleasant St
South Bend, IN 46615
(574) 393-2600
Gr: PK-5 | 489 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1919.
Career Academy Middle School
Charter School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3801 Cresent Circle - Suite B
South Bend, IN 46628
(574) 299-9800
Gr: 6-8 | 414 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #2020.
Monroe Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 9%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
312 Donmoyer Ave
South Bend, IN 46614
(574) 393-2500
Gr: K-5 | 519 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #2121.
Harrison Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 6%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3302 Western Ave
South Bend, IN 46619
(574) 393-3000
Gr: PK-5 | 555 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #2222.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1425 E Calvert St
South Bend, IN 46613
(574) 393-2300
Gr: PK-5 | 383 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #2323.
Washington High School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4747 W Washington Ave
South Bend, IN 46619
(574) 393-5500
Gr: 9-12 | 795 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #2424.
Madison S.t.e.a.m. Academy
(Math: 9% | Reading: 5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
832 N Lafayette Blvd
South Bend, IN 46601
(574) 393-3200
Gr: K-5 | 431 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #2525.
Muessel Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1021 Blaine St
South Bend, IN 46628
(574) 393-3400
Gr: PK-5 | 295 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Coquillard Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1245 N Sheridan St
South Bend, IN 46628
(574) 393-2000
Gr: PK-5 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Jackson Middle School
(Math: 5% | Reading: 8%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
5001 S Miami Rd
South Bend, IN 46614
(574) 393-4500
Gr: 6-8 | 537 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #2828.
Edison Middle School
(Math: 4% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2701 Eisenhower Dr
South Bend, IN 46615
(574) 393-4400
Gr: K-8 | 551 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #2929.
Wilson Elementary School
(Math: 7% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
56660 Oak Rd
South Bend, IN 46619
(574) 393-3700
Gr: K-5 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #3030.
Dickinson Academy
(Math: 3% | Reading: 8%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4404 Elwood
South Bend, IN 46628
(574) 393-3900
Gr: K-8 | 309 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #3131.
Navarre Middle School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 4%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4702 W Ford St
South Bend, IN 46619
(574) 393-4600
Gr: 6-8 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: n/an/a
Excel Center - South Bend
Charter School
2721 Kenwood Avenue
South Bend, IN 46628
(574) 314-5570
Gr: 9-12 | 296 students Student-teacher ratio: 37:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: n/an/a
Lafayette Early Childhood Center
245 N Lombardy Dr
South Bend, IN 46619
(574) 283-8127
Gr: PK | 6 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
Rank: n/an/a
Paramount School Of Excellence South Bend
Charter School
3414 Hepler Street
South Bend, IN 46635
(317) 519-4588
Gr: K-7 | 476 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: n/an/a
The Portage School Of Leaders
Charter School
305 W. Madison St.
South Bend, IN 46601
(574) 299-9800
Gr: 9-11 | 61 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Show 4 more public schools in South Bend, IN (out of 39 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in South Bend, IN?
The top-ranked public schools in South Bend, IN include Swanson Traditional School, Lasalle Academy and Kennedy Academy.
How many public schools are located in South Bend?
40 public schools are located in South Bend.
What percentage of students in South Bend go to public school?
77% of all K-12 students in South Bend are educated in public schools (compared to the IN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in South Bend?
South Bend public schools minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Indiana public schools average of 38% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public schools in South Bend are often viewed compared to one another?

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