James Cole Elementary School

James Cole Elementary School is a public school in Lafayette, Indiana, that serves grades K–5 in the Tippecanoe School Corporation. About 315 students go to the school, and there are about 20 full-time classroom teachers. This means that there is about 16 students for every teacher. James Cole Elementary School focuses on teaching basic reading and phonics skills, especially in the lower grades. In the upper grades, it also focuses on leadership and inquiry-based projects. About 89% of the students are White, about 10% are Hispanic/Latino, and a small number are Asian or multiracial. About 30–40% of students can get free or reduced-price lunch, which shows that the school has a moderate amount of economic diversity. About 57% of students are at or above grade level in math, and about 42% are at or above grade level in reading. The school spends about $7,500 per student, which is a little less than the state average. James Cole Elementary is in a stable Lafayette neighborhood where the median home value is about $216,000. The school gets a lot of support from the community. Overall, the school does a good job of teaching early literacy and has a good student–teacher ratio. There are also chances for students to keep getting better at reading.

Third-graders at James Cole Elementary School recently took center stage during the annual Book Character Parade, held on November 4, 2025. Students in kindergarten and first grade dressed as beloved characters—from dinosaurs and princesses to police officers and superheroes—and marched through classrooms in all grades to show off their costumes and discuss the stories behind them. The event is part of the school’s ongoing efforts to foster a love of reading from an early age. Teachers said that the parade not only made the campus happy, but it also got students talking about books in a lively way.

Q1. Is the school academically good?

Ans. Yes, it is rated higher than average compared to other K-5 public schools in Indiana.

Q2. What is the school's main goal or mission?

Ans. Getting students ready to be responsible citizens and lifelong learners.

Q3. What kinds of special programs are there?

Ans. Some of the programs are Title I support, High Ability (gifted), and ESL.

Q4. How can parents stay in touch or find resources?

Ans. The school gives parents, students, and staff access to lunch menus, parent portals, staff directories, and other resources.

Q5. Who is in charge of the school?

Ans. It is part of Indiana's Tippecanoe School Corporation.