For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public elementary schools serving 4,283 students in Dekalb County, IN.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Dekalb County, IN are James R Watson Elementary School, Riverdale Elementary School and Mckenney-harrison Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dekalb County, IN public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the Indiana public elementary school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 40% statewide average). Elementary schools in Dekalb County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Indiana public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Indiana public elementary school average of 37% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Dekalb County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
James R Watson Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
901 Eckhart Ave
Auburn, IN 46706
(260) 920-1014
Auburn, IN 46706
(260) 920-1014
Gr: PK-5 | 579 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #22.
Riverdale Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
6127 Sr 1
Saint Joe, IN 46785
(260) 337-5464
Saint Joe, IN 46785
(260) 337-5464
Gr: K-6 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #33.
Mckenney-harrison Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
400 South Indiana Ave
Auburn, IN 46706
(260) 920-1015
Auburn, IN 46706
(260) 920-1015
Gr: PK-5 | 647 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #44.
Dekalb Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3338 Cr 427
Waterloo, IN 46793
(260) 920-1013
Waterloo, IN 46793
(260) 920-1013
Gr: 6-8 | 774 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #55.
Country Meadow Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2410 Cr 10
Ashley, IN 46705
(260) 920-1017
Ashley, IN 46705
(260) 920-1017
Gr: PK-5 | 302 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #66.
J E Ober Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
801 E Houston St
Garrett, IN 46738
(260) 357-3112
Garrett, IN 46738
(260) 357-3112
Gr: K-5 | 712 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #77.
Waterloo Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
300 E Douglas St
Waterloo, IN 46793
(260) 920-1011
Waterloo, IN 46793
(260) 920-1011
Gr: PK-5 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #88.
Garrett Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
801 E Houston St
Garrett, IN 46738
(260) 357-5745
Garrett, IN 46738
(260) 357-5745
Gr: 6-8 | 387 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #99.
Butler Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1025 S Broadway
Butler, IN 46721
(260) 868-2123
Butler, IN 46721
(260) 868-2123
Gr: K-6 | 361 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Dekalb County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Dekalb County, IN?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Dekalb County, IN include James R Watson Elementary School, Riverdale Elementary School and Mckenney-harrison Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Dekalb County?
9 public elementary schools are located in Dekalb County.
What is the racial composition of students in Dekalb County?
Dekalb County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Indiana public elementary schools average of 37% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public elementary schools in Dekalb County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Dekalb County include: James R Watson Elementary School vs. Mckenney-harrison Elementary School, Mckenney-harrison Elementary School vs. James R Watson Elementary School, J E Ober Elementary School vs. Mckenney-harrison Elementary School
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