Family Life in Bloomington
Bloomington Bests
In May 2005, Forbes magazine ranked Bloomington 10th on its list of Best Places for Business, citing cost of doing business, cost of living, crime rate, culture and leisure, job growth, and educational attainment. For more on these factors, see Living in Bloomington.
Need-to-know Numbers
- Chamber of Commerce: (812) 336-6381
- Dept. of Motor Vehicles: (812) 336-3018
- School Board: (812) 330-7700
- Main Public Library: (812) 349-3050
Families appreciate Bloomington as a great place to raise children. A warm sense of community and security pervades the neighborhoods surrounding campus, and the overall crime index falls significantly lower than the national average.
Educators abound in this college town, and they have a common goal of enriching the lives of the community's youngest members. IU faculty, staff, and students from all departments routinely partner with educators from every sector of Monroe County. Community events, a rich cultural scene, and plenty of parks make every kind of learning possible.
Education in Bloomington
The Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) is known statewide for providing culturally diverse students with enriching curricular programs. Bloomington students can participate in academic teams, athletics, fine arts, performing arts, and publications. Top-notch high schools lead the state in instrumental and choral programs, state and national academic competitions, as well as Indiana athletic championships.
| Student/Teacher Ratio | 17.0/1 |
| Expenditures Per Pupil | $5,978/1 |
| Hospitals | Bloomington Hospital new Monroe Hospital |
| Monroe County Physicians | 242 |
Schools and Campus Care
- Monroe County Community Schools
Administration Center
315 North Drive
812-330-7700
www.mccsc.edu - St Charles School
Pre-school through Grade 8
2224 E. 3rd Street
812-336-5853
www.stcharlesbloomington.org/school/ - Bloomington Montessori School
Pre-School and Grades K-6
1835 S. Highland Avenue
812-336-2800
montessori.pvt.k12.in.us - Clear Creek Christian School
Grades K-6
5405 S. Rogers Street
812-824-2567
www.cccc1.org/school/ - Lighthouse Christian Academy
Pre-K through Grade 12
1201 W. That Road
812-824-2000
www.lighthouse-christian.com/site/ - Harmony School
909 E. 2nd Street
812-334-8349
www.harmonyschool.org -
Campus Childcare Services
www.childcare.indiana.edu -
Hoosier Counts Cooperative Nursery School
www.indiana.edu/~hccns
More help finding a school in Bloomington
Family-friendly Activities
For younger children, the WonderLab Museum provides interactive learning opportunities that are in line with Indiana's academic standards. The City of Bloomington Department of Parks and Recreation and the Monroe County Department of Parks and Recreation offer day camps, after-school programs, and outstanding athletics programs. And, the Monroe County Library provides an incredible array of children's services and family-friendly literacy events.