Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Wakarusa Elementary School

Public Grades K-5

35^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,015 Indiana Elementary Schools

Better than 97% of Indiana elementary schools

Summary

Wakarusa Elementary School is a K–5 public school in the small northern Indiana town of Wakarusa, serving 534 students as part of Wa-Nee Community Schools. It is one of the strongest elementary schools in the state: in 2025–26 it ranked 35th of 1,015 Indiana elementary schools — roughly the top 3–4% — earning 5 stars and a 97th percentile ranking. Its district is highly ranked as well, at 17th of 374 Indiana districts. Wakarusa has earned 5 stars in every recent year, and its state ranking has climbed from the low 80s in the mid-2010s to the mid-to-high 90s now.

In 2025–26 ILEARN results, 71.96% of students were proficient in English/language arts, 78.68% in math, 66.27% in science, and 62.24% in 5th grade social studies — all well above district and state averages. Grade-level numbers are striking: 4th grade math reached 81.93%, about 30 points above Indiana, and every tested grade in ELA and math beat the state by 25 points or more. Within its own district, Wakarusa outperforms Nappanee Elementary School and Woodview Elementary School in every tested subject and grade, making it the academic standout among Wa-Nee elementaries. Math and science are particular strengths, though 5th grade ELA and social studies results are somewhat more uneven from year to year.

Attendance is a major differentiator: chronic absenteeism is 5.1%, less than half the district rate and less than one-third the state rate, and lower than every nearby school compared. The free/reduced lunch rate is 32.96%, the lowest among nearby schools. The closest academic peer is Madison Elementary School (92nd percentile), which scores higher in 5th grade social studies and has smaller classes — but Wakarusa leads in overall rank, math, and science while spending $9,885 per student versus Madison's $12,871. Because nearby schools serve different grade spans, all-grade comparisons are best treated as directional.

534

Students ?

16.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,514

Per pupil spending ?

33.0%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

88.6%

Kindergartners vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) (2025-26)

400 N Washington St
Wakarusa, IN 46573

(574) 862-2000

District: Wa-Nee Community Schools

Students who attend Wakarusa Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	North Wood Middle School
High:	North Wood High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

84.6%

Hispanic:

6.7%

Two or more races:

4.3%

See top rated Indiana elementary schools

Compare Wakarusa Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 84th percentile in 2016 → 97th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Indiana average (73% vs 47% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 3% of Indiana elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 13 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school73%

District avg63%

Indiana avg47%

35^th of 1,015

Indiana public elementary schools ?

Top 3%▲ up 13 pts since 2016

From top 16% (2016) to top 3% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Indiana Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 3Elementary Schools in the Wa-Nee Community Schools

17^th of 374Wa-Nee Community Schools among Indiana districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Indiana percentile	Rating
2026	93.3	35 of 1015	96.6%	★★★★★
2025	88.8	94 of 1005	90.6%	★★★★★
2024	89.9	72 of 1011	92.9%	★★★★★
2023	86.8	100 of 1016	90.2%	★★★★★
2022	93.7	36 of 1020	96.5%	★★★★★
2021	89.1	79 of 1016	92.2%	★★★★★
2019	84.8	112 of 1031	89.1%	★★★★☆
2018	77.9	191 of 1027	81.4%	★★★★☆
2017	76.8	201 of 1033	80.5%	★★★★☆
2016	79.2	168 of 1046	83.9%	★★★★☆
2015	65.7	366 of 1040	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2014	81.5	115 of 1036	88.9%	★★★★☆
2013	80.1	137 of 1035	86.8%	★★★★☆
2012	72.0	260 of 1015	74.4%	★★★★☆
2011	71.1	278 of 1025	72.9%	★★★★☆
2010	75.0	216 of 1009	78.6%	★★★★☆
2009	81.8	116 of 1003	88.4%	★★★★☆
2008	56.6	493 of 996	50.5%	★★★☆☆
2007	73.6	209 of 985	78.8%	★★★★☆
2006	72.3	224 of 961	76.7%	★★★★☆
2005	81.6	105 of 959	89.1%	★★★★☆

By subject vs Indiana (2025-2026) ?

Math79%

English Language Arts72%

Science66%

Social Studies62%+15 vs state

★

No ratings yet

Be the first to rate Wakarusa Elementary School and help other families decide.

Rate Wakarusa Elementary School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Wakarusa Elementary School

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				ILEARN English Language Arts (2026)							ILEARN Math (2026)							ILEARN Science (2026)			ILEARN Social Studies (2026)	Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ILEARN English Language Arts 3rd Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 4th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 5th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 6th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 7th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 8th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts All Grades	ILEARN Math 3rd Grade	ILEARN Math 4th Grade	ILEARN Math 5th Grade	ILEARN Math 6th Grade	ILEARN Math 7th Grade	ILEARN Math 8th Grade	ILEARN Math All Grades	ILEARN Science 4th Grade	ILEARN Science 6th Grade	ILEARN Science All Grades	ILEARN Social Studies 5th Grade	Vaccination: Kindergartners vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Wakarusa Elementary School	Public	K-5	400 N Washington St	Wakarusa	46573	Elkhart County	Wa-Nee Community Schools	No	No	No	No	(574) 862-2000	534	32	16.6	33.0%	452 (84.6%)	13 (2.4%)	36 (6.7%)	4 (0.7%)	6 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (4.3%)	93.3	35^th of 1015 public elementary schools	96.6%		88.8	94^th of 1005 public elementary schools	90.6%	59	73.3	75.9	67.4				72.0	79.1	81.9	75.5				78.7	66.3		66.3	62.2	88.6%		$10,514	$463	$10,051
Madison Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	66030 Dogwood Rd	Wakarusa	46573	St. Joseph County	Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp	No	No	No	No	(574) 633-4531	117	11	10.6	37.6%	108 (92.3%)	3 (2.6%)	4 (3.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.7%)	88.9	80^th of 1015 public elementary schools	92.1%		76.6	214^th of 1005 public elementary schools	78.7%	134	76.2	61.1	75.0				70.9	90.5	55.6	62.5				70.9	55.6		55.6	81.3	100%		$14,962	$1,083	$13,879
Woodview Elementary School	Public	K-5	800 E Woodview Dr	Nappanee	46550	Elkhart County	Wa-Nee Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(574) 773-3117	410	30	13.8	45.6%	335 (81.7%)	5 (1.2%)	54 (13.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (3.9%)	81.5	165^th of 1015 public elementary schools	83.7%		77.7	206^th of 1005 public elementary schools	79.5%	41	65.1	71.2	58.2				64.8	69.9	65.2	56.7				64.4	57.6		57.6	42.4	83.6%		$11,897	$1,128	$10,769
Nappanee Elementary School	Public	K-5	755 E Van Buren St	Nappanee	46550	Elkhart County	Wa-Nee Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(574) 773-7421	378	29	13.2	49.2%	310 (82.0%)	11 (2.9%)	38 (10.1%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	16 (4.2%)	78.4	201^st of 1015 public elementary schools	80.2%		70.9	279^th of 1005 public elementary schools	72.2%	78	69.4	47.8	56.9				57.7	74.2	75.4	63.1				70.9	40.6		40.6	50.8	81%		$12,578	$1,152	$11,426
Jimtown Elementary School	Public	K-2	58901 Cr 3 S	Elkhart	46517	Elkhart County	Baugo Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(574) 522-0379	418	26	16.0	47.6%	301 (72.0%)	4 (1.0%)	74 (17.7%)	2 (0.5%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (8.1%)								(n/a)																			90.2%		$11,339	$688	$10,651
Jimtown Intermediate School	Public	3-6	58703 Cr 3 S	Elkhart	46517	Elkhart County	Baugo Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(574) 294-2158	580	33	17.6	45.9%	423 (72.9%)	4 (0.7%)	99 (17.1%)	5 (0.9%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	47 (8.1%)	79.6	185^th of 1015 public elementary schools	81.8%		79.7	185^th of 1005 public elementary schools	81.6%		53.9	52.3	53.0	49.7			52.1	85.2	75.2	59.1	56.9			68.7	50.7	51.0	50.8	45.5			$10,102	$444	$9,658
Concord West Side Elementary School	Public	K-4	230 W Mishawaka Rd	Elkhart	46517	Elkhart County	Concord Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(574) 293-2531	504	30	16.8	83.9%	61 (12.1%)	35 (6.9%)	384 (76.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (4.6%)	37.8	639^th of 1015 public elementary schools	37.0%		29	738^th of 1005 public elementary schools	26.6%	99	35.0	33.7					34.4	34.0	46.3					40.0	34.7		34.7		94.5%		$11,496	$1,395	$10,101
Elm Road Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	59400 Elm Rd	Mishawaka	46544	St. Joseph County	Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(574) 259-3743	503	31	16.0	42.1%	355 (70.6%)	47 (9.3%)	51 (10.1%)	5 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	45 (8.9%)	67	321^st of 1015 public elementary schools	68.4%		66.8	321^st of 1005 public elementary schools	68.1%		40.2	51.2	50.6				47.1	54.4	57.0	49.4				53.6	52.3		52.3	50.6	98.7%		$11,555	$1,097	$10,458
Concord South Side Elementary School	Public	K-4	23702 Arlene Ave	Elkhart	46517	Elkhart County	Concord Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(574) 875-6565	394	27	14.5	71.3%	151 (38.3%)	70 (17.8%)	137 (34.8%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (8.6%)	24.6	780^th of 1015 public elementary schools	23.2%		30.2	728^th of 1005 public elementary schools	27.6%	52	27.6	33.8					30.4	26.4	35.1					30.4	23.3		23.3		88.2%		$12,216	$1,367	$10,849
Premier Arts Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	2721 Prairie St.	Elkhart	46614	Elkhart County	Premier Arts Academy	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(574) 361-1258	286	24	11.9	58.4%	146 (51.0%)	43 (15.0%)	59 (20.6%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (12.6%)	10.1	935^th of 1015 public elementary schools	7.9%		17.8	837^th of 1005 public elementary schools	16.7%	98	9.3	13.9	16.7	4.2	29.2	28.6	15.8	16.7	13.9	11.1	12.5	16.7	4.8	12.9	22.2	16.7	20.0	22.6			$11,434	$970	$10,464

Frequently Asked Questions about Wakarusa Elementary School

What district is Wakarusa Elementary School in?

Wa-Nee Community Schools

What is the racial makeup of Wakarusa Elementary School?

Students at Wakarusa Elementary School are 85% White, 7% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races, 2% African American, 1% American Indian.

How many students attend Wakarusa Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 534 students attended Wakarusa Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of Wakarusa Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Wakarusa Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : North Wood Middle School
High : North Wood High School

Is Wakarusa Elementary School a good school?

Yes! Wakarusa Elementary School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 35^th of 1015 Indiana elementary schools.

Rate Wakarusa Elementary School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

INIndiana Elementary School Rankings

INIndiana District Rankings

Schools in Wakarusa, IN

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Wakarusa Elementary School!

Latest Indiana data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataNewOct 28, 2026

2025–26 attendance dataNewOct 28, 2026

2024–25 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 20, 2026

2023–24 immunization rates (updated)Oct 19, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Indiana Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.