The South Bend Community School Corporation is one of the largest school districts in the state. The district has a strong technology program with computers available to every student. Nearly 70 percent of high school seniors continue on to attend college. About 70 percent of the district's teachers hold advanced degrees.
The following is a summary of data regarding South Bend public schools as of the 2002–2003 school year.
Total enrollment: 21,662
Number of facilities elementary schools: 19
middle schools: 10
high schools: 4
other: 4
Student/teacher ratio: 16.5:1
Teacher salaries (2003-2004) average: $46,700
Funding per pupil: $8,819
Twenty-seven private and parochial schools offer educational alternatives to South Bend area students. Among them are a Roman Catholic elementary and high school system with an enrollment of nearly 5,000 students, as well as Hebrew schools and the Stanley Clark School, a private institution with a limited enrollment.
Public Schools Information: South Bend Community School Corporation, 635 S. Main St., South Bend, IN 46601; telephone (574)283-8000
The University of Notre Dame, a top university affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, is located in Notre Dame, IN, adjacent to South Bend. Founded in 1842 as a college for men, it became coeducational in 1972, and currently has an enrollment of more than 11,000 students. The university offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in arts and sciences, engineering, business administration, architecture, and law. A unique feature of the curriculum is the "Executive M.B.A." program for working professionals. Notre Dame's graduation rate—95 percent—is exceeded only by Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. Community involvement is highly valued at Notre Dame; approximately 80 percent of its students engage in volunteer work while attending the university.
Saint Mary's College, sister school of Notre Dame, was founded in 1844 and is a women's college with an enrollment of approximately 1,500. Saint Mary's offers undergraduate degrees in 30 major areas of study, and has a cooperative engineering degree program with Notre Dame. In 2005 U.S. News and World Report ranked Saint Mary's the number one comprehensive college for bachelor's degrees in the Midwest.
Holy Cross College, formerly Holy Cross Junior College, is adjacent to Notre Dame. Holy Cross opened in 1966 as a two-year college; its baccalaureate program debuted in 2003. The college offers two degree programs: Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies.
Indiana University-South Bend (IUSB), the third largest in the state's eight-university system, enrolls more than 7,500 students and grants associate through master's degrees in more than 90 fields. IUSB operates a continuing education division that provides evening, weekend, and off-campus instruction.
Bethel College, in nearby Mishawaka, is a liberal arts college affiliated with the United Missionary Church; Bethel grants undergraduate and graduate degrees in a range of programs.
Purdue University Statewide Technology Program at IUSB offers associate degrees in engineering technology and computer technology as well as associate and bachelor degrees in organizational leadership and supervision. Technical and vocational training is also available at a number of other colleges and specialized schools, including Ivy Tech State College and Michiana College.
The St. Joseph County Public Library consists of a main library and eight branches housing nearly 640,000 items, including books, periodical subscriptions, computer software, microfiche, audio- and videotapes, CDs, and art reproductions. Special collections include large type books, genealogical materials, and state documents. A renovation of the main library's first floor, adding two meeting rooms and a computer training room, was completed in 2003; an expansion of the second floor is scheduled for completion in 2007. Local colleges and universities maintain campus libraries. Other specialized libraries in the city are associated with hospitals, government agencies, and the Studebaker National Museum.
The University of Notre Dame supports dozens of centers conducting research in a wide variety of areas, such as peace studies, the environment, radiation chemistry, biology, the philosophy of religion, American Catholicism, and international studies. Indiana University-South Bend maintains a bureau of business and economic research, and an institute for applied community research.
Public Library Information: St. Joseph County Public Library, 304 S. Main St., South Bend, IN 46601