Bittersweet Elementary School

Summary:

Bittersweet Elementary School is a high-performing public elementary school serving 520 students in grades PK-5 in Mishawaka, Indiana. The school consistently ranks in the top 10-15% of Indiana elementary schools, outperforming district and state averages on standardized assessments.

Bittersweet Elementary stands out for its strong academic performance, with 65.52% of students proficient or better in ELA and 69.83% in Math, compared to the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp district averages of 62.2% and 60.4% respectively. The school also has a lower percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch (28.46%) compared to nearby schools like Elm Road Elementary School (43.27%) and Elsie Rogers Elementary School (41.45%), suggesting a higher socioeconomic status of the student population.

Another notable difference is Bittersweet Elementary's racial demographics, with a higher percentage of white students (83.08%) compared to the more diverse student populations at neighboring schools within the School City of Mishawaka district. Additionally, Bittersweet Elementary has lower chronic absenteeism rates (9.3%) than the district average, indicating strong student engagement and attendance.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 55860 Bittersweet
       Mishawaka, IN  46545


(574) 259-6341

District: Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp

SchoolDigger Rank:
81st of 1,010 Indiana Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $8,438 Help


Students who attend Bittersweet Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Schmucker Middle School
High:    Penn High School

Student/teacher ratio:  23.1 Help
Number of students:  520

Racial breakdown:

White:
83.1%
Hispanic:
5.4%
Two or more races:
5.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  28.5% Help


 See top rated Indiana elementary schools

 Compare Bittersweet Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Bittersweet Elementary School ranks better than 92% of elementary schools in Indiana. It also ranks 5th among 11 ranked elementary schools in the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 89.04. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (83.1%), Hispanic (5.4%), two or more races (5.4%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 28.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Bittersweet Elementary School is 23.1, which is the highest among 11 elementary schools in the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Bittersweet Elementary School employs 22.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Bittersweet Elementary School is $8,438. 8 elementary schools in the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp District spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Bittersweet Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp:

SchoolDigger ranks Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp 26th of 381 Indiana school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Bittersweet Elementary School?

Rank History for Bittersweet Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 64.23 332nd 959 65.4%
2006 71.77 229th 961 76.2%
2007 73.44 212th 985 78.5%
2008 72.39 229th 996 77.0%
2009 53.34 548th 1003 45.4%
2010 53.34 562nd 1009 44.3%
2011 45.18 691st 1025 32.6%
2012 76.88 199th 1015 80.4%
2013 60.05 478th 1035 53.8%
2014 72.83 240th 1036 76.8%
2015 68.67 321st 1040 69.1%
2016 73.37 246th 1046 76.5%
2017 76.41 209th 1033 79.8%
2018 75.22 226th 1027 78.0%
2019 86.37 103rd 1031 90.0%
2021 86.80 106th 1016 89.6%
2022 88.28 88th 1020 91.4%
2023 86.29 108th 1016 89.4%
2024 89.04 81st 1010 92.0%
See the entire list of Indiana Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Indiana Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Bittersweet Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Indiana Department of Education

We're sorry, but no reviews have been submitted for Bittersweet Elementary School.

If you have first-hand knowledge about Bittersweet Elementary School, submit a rating!


Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!


Enrollment information for Bittersweet Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 482 4 10 1 0 n/a n/a 0 497
1989 506 5 8 2 0 n/a n/a 0 521
1990 470 3 6 3 0 n/a n/a 0 482
1991 410 3 4 2 0 n/a n/a 0 419
1992 426 4 8 6 0 n/a n/a 0 444
1993 418 3 8 7 0 n/a n/a 0 436
1994 381 3 6 7 0 n/a n/a 0 397
1995 398 2 6 7 0 n/a n/a 10 423
1996 398 2 6 7 0 n/a n/a 10 423
1997 398 3 6 15 0 n/a n/a 6 428
1998 431 3 9 13 0 n/a n/a 0 456
1999 461 1 7 8 0 n/a n/a 0 477
2000 511 2 3 6 0 n/a n/a 0 522
2001 515 2 5 6 0 n/a n/a 0 528
2002 503 4 8 6 3 n/a n/a 0 524
2003 503 4 8 6 3 n/a n/a 0 524
2004 500 4 7 7 4 n/a n/a 0 522
2005 525 8 6 10 4 n/a n/a 0 553
2006 439 12 7 6 4 n/a n/a 0 468
2007 390 9 5 3 4 n/a n/a 19 430
2008 384 6 8 4 4 n/a n/a 22 428
2009 413 6 6 7 6 n/a n/a 19 457
2010 403 10 5 6 7 n/a n/a 22 453
2011 383 10 4 8 7 0 17 0 429
2012 377 9 4 8 4 0 15 0 417
2013 379 8 4 17 2 0 13 0 423
2014 377 8 4 14 2 1 11 0 417
2015 385 10 5 18 1 1 13 0 433
2016 460 8 10 20 2 0 23 0 523
2017 448 13 8 20 4 1 22 0 516
2018 487 11 6 15 3 1 25 0 548
2019 477 11 4 15 3 1 32 0 543
2020 405 14 1 13 1 1 31 0 466
2021 423 15 3 17 1 1 39 0 499
2022 424 27 4 25 1 1 39 0 521
2023 432 24 5 28 1 2 28 0 520

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Bittersweet Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 497 20.9 23.7 2.2
1989 521 24.9 20.9 2.1
1990 482 21.3 22.6 2.1
1991 419 20.3 20.6 1.9
1992 444 21.5 20.6 8.3
1993 436 21.5 20.3 8.5
1994 397 20.5 19.4 7.8
1995 423 22.0 19.2 7.3
1996 423 22.0 19.2 7.3
1997 428 21.0 20.4 8.1
1998 456 22.5 20.3 7.5
1999 477 22.5 21.2 7.1
2000 522 23.0 22.7 6.7
2001 528 23.4 22.6 7.4
2002 524 24.0 21.8 11.3
2003 524 24.0 21.8 11.3
2004 522 23.0 22.7 11.3
2005 553 23.0 24.0 13.2
2006 468 19.8 23.6 12.4
2007 430 n/a n/a 13.9
2008 428 18.0 23.8 12.1
2009 457 19.1 23.9 17.1
2010 453 20.0 22.6 22.7
2011 429 20.2 21.1 18.9
2012 417 24.0 17.3 25.4
2013 423 19.0 22.2 29.8
2014 417 19.0 21.9 27.3
2015 433 19.0 22.7 30.3
2016 523 20.0 26.1 24.1
2017 516 20.0 25.8 23.4
2018 548 21.0 26.0 25
2019 543 22.0 24.6 23.6
2020 466 22.0 21.1 30
2021 499 20.9 23.8 22.2
2022 521 24.2 21.4 17.1
2023 520 22.5 23.1 28.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Bittersweet Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 497 20.9 23.7 2.2
1989 521 24.9 20.9 2.1
1990 482 21.3 22.6 2.1
1991 419 20.3 20.6 1.9
1992 444 21.5 20.6 8.3
1993 436 21.5 20.3 8.5
1994 397 20.5 19.4 7.8
1995 423 22.0 19.2 7.3
1996 423 22.0 19.2 7.3
1997 428 21.0 20.4 8.1
1998 456 22.5 20.3 7.5
1999 477 22.5 21.2 7.1
2000 522 23.0 22.7 6.7
2001 528 23.4 22.6 7.4
2002 524 24.0 21.8 11.3
2003 524 24.0 21.8 11.3
2004 522 23.0 22.7 11.3
2005 553 23.0 24.0 13.2
2006 468 19.8 23.6 12.4
2007 430 n/a n/a 13.9
2008 428 18.0 23.8 12.1
2009 457 19.1 23.9 17.1
2010 453 20.0 22.6 22.7
2011 429 20.2 21.1 18.9
2012 417 24.0 17.3 25.4
2013 423 19.0 22.2 29.8
2014 417 19.0 21.9 27.3
2015 433 19.0 22.7 30.3
2016 523 20.0 26.1 24.1
2017 516 20.0 25.8 23.4
2018 548 21.0 26.0 25
2019 543 22.0 24.6 23.6
2020 466 22.0 21.1 30
2021 499 20.9 23.8 22.2
2022 521 24.2 21.4 17.1
2023 520 22.5 23.1 28.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Bittersweet Elementary School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $282 (3.6%) $7,523 (96.4%) $7,805
2020 $256 (2.9%) $8,467 (97.1%) $8,723
2021 $418 (5.0%) $8,016 (95.0%) $8,434
2022 $501 (5.9%) $7,937 (94.1%) $8,438

Data source: Indiana Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Bittersweet Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 103rd of 1031 Elementary schoolsRanks 108th of 1016 Elementary schools
 0.6%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Bittersweet Elementary School)64.264.2
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp)66.156.6
 9.5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)46.339.7
 6.6%
3rd Grade Math (Bittersweet Elementary School)73.177.8
 4.7%
   3rd Grade Math (Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp)74.570.8
 3.7%
   3rd Grade Math (Indiana)58.753.1
 5.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Bittersweet Elementary School)68.758.4
 10.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp)70.661.9
 8.7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)45.840.3
 5.5%
4th Grade Math (Bittersweet Elementary School)74.761
 13.7%
   4th Grade Math (Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp)77.669.1
 8.5%
   4th Grade Math (Indiana)5448.8
 5.2%
4th Grade Science (Bittersweet Elementary School)67.545.5
 22.1%
   4th Grade Science (Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp)72.954.9
 18%
   4th Grade Science (Indiana)46.337
 9.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Bittersweet Elementary School)66.769.5
 2.8%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp)73.564.4
 9.1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)47.540.2
 7.3%
5th Grade Math (Bittersweet Elementary School)72.672
 0.7%
   5th Grade Math (Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp)70.967.5
 3.4%
   5th Grade Math (Indiana)47.841.1
 6.7%
5th Grade Social Studies (Bittersweet Elementary School)57.150
 7.1%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp)66.755
 11.8%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Indiana)4639.1
 6.9%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students543520
 4.2%
African American1124
 118.2%
American Indian31
 66.7%
Asian45
 25%
Hispanic1528
 86.7%
Pacific Islander12
 100%
White477432
 9.4%
Two or More Races3228
 12.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients23.6%28.5%
 4.9%


Schools Near Bittersweet Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Bittersweet Elementary School

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

Middle : Schmucker Middle School
High : Penn High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 520 students attended Bittersweet Elementary School.

Yes. Bittersweet Elementary School ranks in the top 8.0% of Indiana elementary schools.

Students at Bittersweet Elementary School are 83% White, 5% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 5% African American.


Rate Bittersweet Elementary School!



Sign up for updates!

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




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.





Diagnostics

None retrieved from Database in 131 milliseconds.