Summary:
ZIP code 46635 in South Bend, Indiana, is home to just two schools, both elementary: Paramount School of Excellence South Bend, a K–8 school with 476 students that operates as its own district, and Swanson Traditional School, a PK–5 school with 399 students in South Bend Community School Corp. There are no middle or high schools in this ZIP code, so families here move on to schools elsewhere for later grades.
Swanson Traditional School is the clear standout, earning 4 stars and ranking 210 of 1,015 schools statewide (79th percentile) in 2025–2026. In grades 3–5, the grades both schools serve, Swanson scored above the state in every subject tested, including 72.88% in 3rd grade math, 60% in 5th grade ELA, and 65% in 5th grade math. That is striking because its own district ranks 320 of 374 districts with 1 star. Swanson's chronic absenteeism was 16.5%, essentially matching the state rate of 16.7%, and its free/reduced lunch rate was 33.58%.
Paramount School of Excellence South Bend faces serious challenges: 1 star, a statewide rank of 809 of 1,015 (20th percentile), all-grade proficiency of 29.12% in ELA, 25.67% in math, and 12.36% in science, and chronic absenteeism of 45.9% — nearly 2.75 times the state's 16.7%. Its free/reduced lunch rate is 75.42%. Bright spots include 8th grade ELA at 50%, above the state's 44%, plus year-over-year gains in all-grade ELA and math. Resources also differ: $11,824 versus $14,467 spent per student, with smaller classes at Swanson (13.9 vs. 17 students per teacher). Overall, this ZIP offers two very different options.
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