Jefferson Middle School

Q: Is Jefferson Middle School a good school?

Jefferson Middle School ranks 324 th of 485 Indiana middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Jefferson Middle School is a public middle school in Fort Wayne, Indiana, serving 682 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Fort Wayne Community Schools district, which has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Jefferson Middle School has a more diverse student population compared to nearby schools, with 43.84% non-white students. However, the school's academic performance, as measured by ILEARN test scores, is generally lower than the state and district averages. In 2023-2024, only 26.67% of students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 28.81% for the Fort Wayne Community Schools district and 41.1-42.6% statewide. Jefferson Middle School also has a higher chronic absenteeism rate of 23% and a higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch at 57.48%, indicating a higher proportion of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

While Jefferson Middle School's performance is lower than the state and district averages, there are some nearby schools that perform significantly better, such as Blackhawk Middle School and Maple Creek Middle School, which are both ranked in the top 40% of Indiana middle schools. The higher rates of chronic absenteeism and free/reduced lunch at Jefferson Middle School may be contributing factors to the school's lower academic performance, suggesting a need for targeted interventions and support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. However, the school's performance is not significantly lower than the district average, indicating potential for improvement with the right strategies and resources.

Detail:

Public 6-8

5303 Wheelock Rd
Fort Wayne, IN 46835

(260) 467-4825

District: Fort Wayne Community Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
324^th of 485 Indiana Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $10,870

Students who attend Jefferson Middle School usually attend:

High:

Northrop High School

Feeder schools for Jefferson Middle School:

Elementary:	Arlington Elementary School
	Saint Joseph Central School
	Willard Shambaugh Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 15.0

Number of students: 676

Racial breakdown:

White:

55.5%

African American:

15.1%

Hispanic:

14.5%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 48.8%

See top rated Indiana middle schools

Compare Jefferson Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Jefferson Middle School ranks worse than 66.8% of middle schools in Indiana. It also ranks 3^rd among 10 ranked middle schools in the Fort Wayne Community Schools District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 35.06. (See more...)

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

Compare Details Student population at Jefferson Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (55.5%), African American (15.1%), Hispanic (14.5%). (See more...)

Compare Details 48.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Jefferson Middle School is 15. 8 middle schools in the Fort Wayne Community Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Jefferson Middle School employs 44.8 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Jefferson Middle School is $10,870. 5 middle schools in the Fort Wayne Community Schools District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Jefferson Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Jefferson Middle School 324^th of 485 Indiana public middle schools. (See Jefferson Middle School in the ranking list.)

Fort Wayne Community Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Fort Wayne Community Schools 283^rd of 381 Indiana school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Jefferson Middle School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	IN State Percentile
2004	54.60	102^nd	222	54.1%
2005	45.06	249^th	370	32.7%
2006	36.27	295^th	375	21.3%
2007	46.15	257^th	382	32.7%
2008	51.84	219^th	392	44.1%
2009	36.18	323^rd	423	23.6%
2010	36.43	327^th	428	23.6%
2011	47.01	292^nd	451	35.3%
2012	45.10	293^rd	447	34.5%
2013	48.84	267^th	444	39.9%
2014	52.82	267^th	470	43.2%
2015	55.71	226^th	485	53.4%
2016	49.40	288^th	494	41.7%
2017	51.84	258^th	472	45.3%
2018	47.78	282^nd	473	40.4%
2019	47.89	261^st	470	44.5%
2021	38.45	306^th	483	36.6%
2022	42.80	286^th	490	41.6%
2023	39.40	301^st	489	38.4%
2024	35.06	324^th	485	33.2%

See the entire list of Indiana Middle School Rankings!

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

Data source: Indiana Department of Education

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Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Jefferson Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	507	134	7	10	0	n/a	n/a	0	658
1989	527	120	8	6	0	n/a	n/a	0	661
1990	546	111	9	7	0	n/a	n/a	0	673
1991	545	111	7	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	667
1992	589	100	8	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	701
1993	591	105	6	10	0	n/a	n/a	0	712
1994	618	76	8	7	0	n/a	n/a	0	709
1995	594	82	6	4	2	n/a	n/a	0	688
1996	594	82	6	4	2	n/a	n/a	0	688
1997	553	95	4	5	2	n/a	n/a	0	659
1998	536	99	5	6	0	n/a	n/a	0	646
1999	503	112	8	6	4	n/a	n/a	0	633
2000	486	112	9	7	6	n/a	n/a	0	620
2001	472	141	8	7	3	n/a	n/a	0	631
2002	492	138	7	14	0	n/a	n/a	0	651
2003	492	138	7	14	0	n/a	n/a	0	651
2004	501	143	6	21	1	n/a	n/a	0	672
2005	504	149	5	26	4	n/a	n/a	0	688
2006	517	146	5	31	4	n/a	n/a	0	703
2007	494	159	6	34	6	n/a	n/a	22	721
2008	503	126	5	44	4	n/a	n/a	25	707
2009	495	116	9	33	4	n/a	n/a	28	685
2010	483	129	7	37	3	n/a	n/a	32	691
2011	498	126	6	45	4	2	25	0	706
2012	496	144	12	45	4	2	46	0	749
2013	508	110	7	47	4	1	49	0	726
2014	465	112	7	44	3	0	44	0	675
2015	449	118	8	46	3	0	45	0	669
2016	460	103	16	58	3	1	46	0	687
2017	469	94	23	71	5	0	56	0	718
2018	442	96	26	74	2	2	61	0	703
2019	438	105	27	98	2	7	63	0	740
2020	436	113	27	88	3	5	63	0	735
2021	422	113	21	91	2	1	69	0	719
2022	391	104	21	87	2	0	76	0	681
2023	383	110	22	83	0	1	83	0	682
2024	375	102	21	98	0	1	79	0	676

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 Jefferson Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	658	33.0	19.9	16.4
1989	661	33.6	19.6	15.4
1990	673	33.6	20.0	15
1991	667	31.8	20.9	15.9
1992	701	37.2	18.8	13.6
1993	712	39.0	18.3	14.3
1994	709	39.9	17.8	11
1995	688	36.7	18.7	12.4
1996	688	36.7	18.7	12.4
1997	659	37.0	17.8	14.3
1998	646	39.0	16.6	14.4
1999	633	37.0	17.1	18.8
2000	620	36.0	17.2	19.2
2001	631	35.5	17.8	26
2002	651	35.0	18.6	30
2003	651	35.0	18.6	30
2004	672	32.0	21.0	33.9
2005	688	37.0	18.6	37.8
2006	703	37.8	18.6	38.4
2007	721	n/a	n/a	43.8
2008	707	38.2	18.5	44
2009	685	38.2	17.9	48.9
2010	691	36.6	18.8	53.1
2011	706	36.9	19.1	53.7
2012	749	38.0	19.7	57.3
2013	726	37.0	19.6	54.8
2014	675	39.0	17.3	51.9
2015	669	35.0	19.1	50.4
2016	687	36.0	19.0	48.2
2017	718	38.0	18.8	47.4
2018	703	40.0	17.5	51.1
2019	740	39.0	18.9	47.8
2020	735	43.8	16.7	50.1
2021	719	43.5	16.5	51.9
2022	681	44.8	15.1	54.6
2023	682	40.8	16.7	57.5
2024	676	44.8	15.0	48.8

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 Jefferson Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	658	33.0	19.9	16.4
1989	661	33.6	19.6	15.4
1990	673	33.6	20.0	15
1991	667	31.8	20.9	15.9
1992	701	37.2	18.8	13.6
1993	712	39.0	18.3	14.3
1994	709	39.9	17.8	11
1995	688	36.7	18.7	12.4
1996	688	36.7	18.7	12.4
1997	659	37.0	17.8	14.3
1998	646	39.0	16.6	14.4
1999	633	37.0	17.1	18.8
2000	620	36.0	17.2	19.2
2001	631	35.5	17.8	26
2002	651	35.0	18.6	30
2003	651	35.0	18.6	30
2004	672	32.0	21.0	33.9
2005	688	37.0	18.6	37.8
2006	703	37.8	18.6	38.4
2007	721	n/a	n/a	43.8
2008	707	38.2	18.5	44
2009	685	38.2	17.9	48.9
2010	691	36.6	18.8	53.1
2011	706	36.9	19.1	53.7
2012	749	38.0	19.7	57.3
2013	726	37.0	19.6	54.8
2014	675	39.0	17.3	51.9
2015	669	35.0	19.1	50.4
2016	687	36.0	19.0	48.2
2017	718	38.0	18.8	47.4
2018	703	40.0	17.5	51.1
2019	740	39.0	18.9	47.8
2020	735	43.8	16.7	50.1
2021	719	43.5	16.5	51.9
2022	681	44.8	15.1	54.6
2023	682	40.8	16.7	57.5
2024	676	44.8	15.0	48.8

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 Jefferson Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$796 (9.2%)	$7,862 (90.8%)	$8,658
2020	$746 (8.5%)	$8,061 (91.5%)	$8,807
2021	$976 (9.7%)	$9,128 (90.3%)	$10,105
2022	$1,166 (10.7%)	$9,704 (89.3%)	$10,870

Data source: Indiana Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Jefferson Middle 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 261^st of 470 Middle schools	Ranks 301^st of 489 Middle schools	6%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Jefferson Middle School)	47.5	20.3	27.2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Fort Wayne Community Schools)	33.7	23.7	10%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)	47.8	40.8	7%
6th Grade Math (Jefferson Middle School)	41.6	35.9	5.7%
6th Grade Math (Fort Wayne Community Schools)	34.7	24.2	10.5%
6th Grade Math (Indiana)	46.4	38.3	8.1%
6th Grade Science (Jefferson Middle School)	46.8	35.9	10.9%
6th Grade Science (Fort Wayne Community Schools)	36.5	24.2	12.3%
6th Grade Science (Indiana)	48.6	38.2	10.4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Jefferson Middle School)	43.1	27	16.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Fort Wayne Community Schools)	33.3	21.7	11.7%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)	49.7	39.5	10.2%
7th Grade Math (Jefferson Middle School)	38	24.3	13.7%
7th Grade Math (Fort Wayne Community Schools)	29.5	17.7	11.8%
7th Grade Math (Indiana)	42	32.9	9.1%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Jefferson Middle School)	43	23.9	19.1%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Fort Wayne Community Schools)	35	27.2	7.8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)	50.7	43.8	6.9%
8th Grade Math (Jefferson Middle School)	32.7	27.2	5.5%
8th Grade Math (Fort Wayne Community Schools)	24.7	17	7.7%
8th Grade Math (Indiana)	38	31.4	6.6%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	740	682	7.8%
African American	105	110	4.8%
American Indian	2	0	100%
Asian	27	22	18.5%
Hispanic	98	83	15.3%
Pacific Islander	7	1	85.7%
White	438	383	12.6%
Two or More Races	63	83	31.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	47.8%	57.5%	9.6%

Schools Near Jefferson Middle School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				ILEARN English Language Arts (2024)						ILEARN Math (2024)						ILEARN Social Studies (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2022)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ILEARN English Language Arts 4th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 5th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 6th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 7th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 8th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts All Grades	ILEARN Math 4th Grade	ILEARN Math 5th Grade	ILEARN Math 6th Grade	ILEARN Math 7th Grade	ILEARN Math 8th Grade	ILEARN Math All Grades	ILEARN Social Studies 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Jefferson Middle School	Public	6-8	5303 Wheelock Rd	Fort Wayne	46835	Allen County	Fort Wayne Community Schools	No	No	No	No	(260) 467-4825	676	45	15.0	48.8%	375 (55.5%)	102 (15.1%)	98 (14.5%)	21 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	79 (11.7%)	35.1	324^th of 485 public middle schools	33.2%		39.4	301^st of 489 public middle schools	38.4%	23			30.8	26.2	22.8	26.7			33.0	16.7	26.3	25.2		$10,870	$1,166	$9,704
Blackhawk Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	7200 E State Blvd	Fort Wayne	46815	Allen County	Fort Wayne Community Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(260) 467-4885	786	50	15.6	45.2%	376 (47.8%)	174 (22.1%)	105 (13.4%)	48 (6.1%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	81 (10.3%)	61.7	178^th of 485 public middle schools	63.3%		63.1	166^th of 489 public middle schools	66.1%	12			34.9	43.0	39.6	39.2			39.3	37.6	35.8	37.6		$10,582	$1,185	$9,397
Lane Middle School	Public	6-8	4901 Vance Ave	Fort Wayne	46815	Allen County	Fort Wayne Community Schools	No	No	No	No	(260) 467-4400	693	48	14.4	70.7%	165 (23.8%)	219 (31.6%)	175 (25.3%)	67 (9.7%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	66 (9.5%)	16.1	409^th of 485 public middle schools	15.7%		14.8	418^th of 489 public middle schools	14.5%	9			17.6	17.1	24.3	19.8			12.7	9.8	8.8	10.3		$10,322	$1,274	$9,048
Northwood Middle School	Public	6-8	1201 E Wash Ctr Rd	Fort Wayne	46825	Allen County	Fort Wayne Community Schools	No	No	No	No	(260) 467-2930	591	40	14.9	66.5%	229 (38.7%)	121 (20.5%)	132 (22.3%)	36 (6.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	72 (12.2%)	19	391^st of 485 public middle schools	19.4%		25.6	363^rd of 489 public middle schools	25.8%	28			19.1	20.9	24.6	21.6			16.6	10.5	11.1	12.8		$10,671	$1,042	$9,630
Lakeside Middle School	Public	6-8	2100 Lake Ave	Fort Wayne	46805	Allen County	Fort Wayne Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 467-8625	500	38	13.0	73.6%	156 (31.2%)	146 (29.2%)	101 (20.2%)	27 (5.4%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	67 (13.4%)	22.5	373^rd of 485 public middle schools	23.1%		25.1	367^th of 489 public middle schools	24.9%	6			19.0	19.6	27.8	22.3			25.0	14.7	9.6	16.2		$11,438	$1,404	$10,035
Shawnee Middle School	Public	6-8	1000 E Cook Rd	Fort Wayne	46825	Allen County	Fort Wayne Community Schools	No	No	No	No	(260) 467-6525	622	46	13.4	63.5%	232 (37.3%)	136 (21.9%)	149 (24.0%)	49 (7.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	55 (8.8%)	21.3	377^th of 485 public middle schools	22.3%		17.6	407^th of 489 public middle schools	16.8%	30			21.6	22.8	26.7	23.7			16.3	10.7	13.2	13.4		$10,090	$1,167	$8,923
Memorial Park Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	2200 Maumee Ave	Fort Wayne	46803	Allen County	Fort Wayne Community Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(260) 467-5300	611	41	14.9	54.5%	222 (36.3%)	181 (29.6%)	131 (21.4%)	19 (3.1%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	57 (9.3%)	55.5	211^th of 485 public middle schools	56.5%		50.3	240^th of 489 public middle schools	50.9%	29			40.7	44.1	32.8	39.3			41.5	33.3	19.7	31.9		$12,518	$2,417	$10,101
Leo Elementary School	Public	4-6	14811 Wayne St	Leo	46765	Allen County	East Allen County Schools	No	No	No	No	(260) 446-0170	636	31	20.5	22.5%	533 (83.8%)	17 (2.7%)	28 (4.4%)	9 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	49 (7.7%)								(n/a)	61.0	64.8	65.2			63.7	61.4	51.4	58.0			56.9	54.0	$8,692	$801	$7,891
Timothy L. Johnson Academy Middle	Public, Charter	6-8	4625 Werling Drive	Fort Wayne	46806	Allen County	Timothy L. Johnson Academy Middle	Yes	No	No	Yes	(260) 441-8727	167	13	12.8	83.2%	1 (0.6%)	40 (24.0%)	14 (8.4%)	110 (65.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.2%)	7.8	467^th of 485 public middle schools	3.7%		5.8	479^th of 489 public middle schools	2.0%	12			9.8	14.3	12.2	12.2			2.0	1.8	4.1	2.6		$9,288	$2,988	$6,300
Maple Creek Middle School	Public	6-8	425 Union Chapel Rd	Fort Wayne	46845	Allen County	Northwest Allen County Schools	No	No	No	No	(260) 338-0802	1,016	48	21.1	16.2%	800 (78.7%)	41 (4.0%)	50 (4.9%)	69 (6.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	56 (5.5%)	83.6	64^th of 485 public middle schools	86.8%		84.2	62^nd of 489 public middle schools	87.3%	2			51.9	56.0	60.1	55.9			52.9	45.5	37.7	45.7		$7,916	$478	$7,438

Frequently Asked Questions about Jefferson Middle School

What district is Jefferson Middle School in?

Fort Wayne Community Schools

What high school do graduates of Jefferson Middle School attend?

Students who attend Jefferson Middle School usually go on to attend Northrop High School

How many students attend Jefferson Middle School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 676 students attended Jefferson Middle School.

What is the racial makeup of Jefferson Middle School?

Students at Jefferson Middle School are 55% White, 15% African American, 14% Hispanic, 12% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

Is Jefferson Middle School a good school?

Jefferson Middle School ranks 324^th of 485 Indiana middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

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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.