Cowan Elementary School

Summary:

Cowan Elementary School is a public elementary school in Muncie, Indiana, serving 429 students in grades K-6. The school is part of the Muncie Community Schools district, which is ranked 143 out of 381 districts in the state.

Cowan Elementary stands out for its relatively strong academic performance, with higher test scores than the district and state averages, particularly in math. In 2023-2024, 52.94% of Cowan students were proficient or better in ILEARN/Math, compared to 43.85% for the district and 38.1% for the state. The school also has a lower chronic absenteeism rate (15.7%) compared to nearby schools like North View Elementary (24.6%) and South View Elementary (49.8%). However, Cowan's racial makeup is significantly less diverse than the surrounding schools, with 88.58% of its students being white.

While Cowan Elementary's performance has been relatively consistent, its rating has decreased from 4 stars to 2 stars in recent years, indicating a need for improvement. The school serves a population with significant economic challenges, with 56.64% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch. Despite this, Cowan's spending per student ($8,376 in 2021-2022) is lower than the state average, which could be a concern if the school is not adequately resourced to meet the needs of its student population. Overall, Cowan Elementary appears to be a relatively strong-performing school within its district, but there may be room for improvement and a need for additional resources and support.


Detail:

Public K-6

 1000 W Cr 600 S
       Muncie, IN  47302


(765) 289-7129

District: Cowan Community School Corp

SchoolDigger Rank:
401st of 1,010 Indiana Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $8,376 Help


Students who attend Cowan Elementary School usually attend:

High:    Cowan High School

Student/teacher ratio:  15.6 Help
Number of students:  429

Racial breakdown:

White:
88.6%
Two or more races:
7.0%
Hispanic:
3.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  56.6% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Cowan Elementary School ranks better than 60.3% of elementary schools in Indiana. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 60.96. (See more...)
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Chronic absenteeism in a high 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
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (88.6%), two or more races (7%), Hispanic (3.7%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 56.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Cowan Elementary School is 15.6. (See more...)
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Compare Cowan Elementary School employs 27.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Cowan Elementary School is $8,376.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Cowan Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Cowan Community School Corp:

SchoolDigger ranks Cowan Community School Corp 164th of 381 Indiana school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Cowan Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 71.69 71st 326 78.2%
2005 82.11 101st 959 89.5%
2006 81.22 120th 961 87.5%
2007 76.04 181st 985 81.6%
2008 74.90 191st 996 80.8%
2009 75.15 210th 1003 79.1%
2010 71.66 272nd 1009 73.0%
2011 46.77 666th 1025 35.0%
2012 46.87 659th 1015 35.1%
2013 58.14 505th 1035 51.2%
2014 74.06 218th 1036 79.0%
2015 76.08 200th 1040 80.8%
2016 77.86 184th 1046 82.4%
2017 64.73 392nd 1033 62.1%
2018 68.24 333rd 1027 67.6%
2019 60.92 414th 1031 59.8%
2021 51.42 536th 1016 47.2%
2022 46.50 588th 1020 42.4%
2023 47.65 563rd 1016 44.6%
2024 60.96 401st 1010 60.3%
See the entire list of Indiana Elementary School Rankings!

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

Cowan Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
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Data source: Indiana Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Cowan Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 339 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 339
1989 334 2 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 336
1990 321 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 321
1991 333 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 333
1992 358 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 358
1993 316 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 316
1994 337 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 337
1995 344 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 345
1996 344 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 345
1997 370 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 370
1998 365 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 365
1999 356 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 356
2000 355 4 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 360
2001 364 3 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 367
2002 340 4 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 345
2003 340 4 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 345
2004 331 2 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 333
2005 328 2 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 330
2006 338 2 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 341
2007 363 2 0 1 0 n/a n/a 3 369
2008 370 1 0 2 0 n/a n/a 4 377
2009 383 2 0 2 0 n/a n/a 5 392
2010 377 2 1 2 0 n/a n/a 6 388
2011 403 4 2 6 0 0 6 0 421
2012 416 3 3 5 0 0 8 0 435
2013 418 3 3 5 0 0 7 0 436
2014 369 3 1 5 0 0 9 0 387
2015 390 1 1 4 0 0 9 0 405
2016 396 0 1 5 0 0 9 0 411
2017 407 3 0 8 0 0 8 0 426
2018 416 2 0 7 0 0 16 0 441
2019 415 2 0 9 0 0 13 0 439
2020 404 2 0 12 0 0 16 0 434
2021 395 5 0 11 0 0 16 0 427
2022 392 3 0 13 0 0 27 0 435
2023 380 3 0 16 0 0 30 0 429

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 Cowan Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 339 16.3 20.7 6.2
1989 336 14.3 23.4 7.7
1990 321 17.1 18.7 5.6
1991 333 19.5 17.0 8.4
1992 358 22.1 16.1 7.8
1993 316 19.1 16.5 6
1994 337 19.3 17.5 6.8
1995 345 17.8 19.4 3.5
1996 345 17.8 19.4 3.5
1997 370 18.7 19.8 5.1
1998 365 19.1 19.1 5.8
1999 356 18.8 18.9 10.1
2000 360 18.6 19.4 7.8
2001 367 17.7 20.7 10.9
2002 345 19.3 17.9 9.9
2003 345 19.3 17.9 9.9
2004 333 19.9 16.7 14.7
2005 330 20.0 16.5 13.3
2006 341 19.5 17.5 13.2
2007 369 n/a n/a 17.5
2008 377 23.8 15.8 18.5
2009 392 24.1 16.3 21.7
2010 388 25.4 15.2 26.2
2011 421 25.8 16.3 30.6
2012 435 30.0 14.5 35.4
2013 436 25.0 17.4 38.3
2014 387 24.0 16.1 36.7
2015 405 25.0 16.2 39.5
2016 411 25.0 16.4 45.3
2017 426 28.0 15.2 49.8
2018 441 28.0 15.7 54.6
2019 439 28.0 15.6 53.5
2020 434 28.0 15.5 53.7
2021 427 28.0 15.2 54.1
2022 435 29.5 14.7 51.5
2023 429 27.5 15.6 56.6

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 Cowan Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 339 16.3 20.7 6.2
1989 336 14.3 23.4 7.7
1990 321 17.1 18.7 5.6
1991 333 19.5 17.0 8.4
1992 358 22.1 16.1 7.8
1993 316 19.1 16.5 6
1994 337 19.3 17.5 6.8
1995 345 17.8 19.4 3.5
1996 345 17.8 19.4 3.5
1997 370 18.7 19.8 5.1
1998 365 19.1 19.1 5.8
1999 356 18.8 18.9 10.1
2000 360 18.6 19.4 7.8
2001 367 17.7 20.7 10.9
2002 345 19.3 17.9 9.9
2003 345 19.3 17.9 9.9
2004 333 19.9 16.7 14.7
2005 330 20.0 16.5 13.3
2006 341 19.5 17.5 13.2
2007 369 n/a n/a 17.5
2008 377 23.8 15.8 18.5
2009 392 24.1 16.3 21.7
2010 388 25.4 15.2 26.2
2011 421 25.8 16.3 30.6
2012 435 30.0 14.5 35.4
2013 436 25.0 17.4 38.3
2014 387 24.0 16.1 36.7
2015 405 25.0 16.2 39.5
2016 411 25.0 16.4 45.3
2017 426 28.0 15.2 49.8
2018 441 28.0 15.7 54.6
2019 439 28.0 15.6 53.5
2020 434 28.0 15.5 53.7
2021 427 28.0 15.2 54.1
2022 435 29.5 14.7 51.5
2023 429 27.5 15.6 56.6

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 Cowan Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $400 (5.2%) $7,273 (94.8%) $7,673
2020 $372 (5.1%) $6,956 (94.9%) $7,329
2021 $668 (8.1%) $7,573 (91.9%) $8,241
2022 $516 (6.2%) $7,860 (93.8%) $8,376

Data source: Indiana Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Cowan Elementary 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 414th of 1031 Elementary schoolsRanks 563rd of 1016 Elementary schools
 15.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Cowan Elementary School)49.232.3
 16.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Cowan Community School Corp)49.232.3
 16.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)46.339.7
 6.6%
3rd Grade Math (Cowan Elementary School)50.841.9
 8.9%
   3rd Grade Math (Cowan Community School Corp)50.841.9
 8.9%
   3rd Grade Math (Indiana)58.753.1
 5.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Cowan Elementary School)41.123.3
 17.8%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Cowan Community School Corp)41.123.3
 17.8%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)45.840.3
 5.5%
4th Grade Math (Cowan Elementary School)42.932.9
 10%
   4th Grade Math (Cowan Community School Corp)42.932.9
 10%
   4th Grade Math (Indiana)5448.8
 5.2%
4th Grade Science (Cowan Elementary School)5024.7
 25.3%
   4th Grade Science (Cowan Community School Corp)5024.7
 25.3%
   4th Grade Science (Indiana)46.337
 9.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Cowan Elementary School)59.626.7
 32.9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Cowan Community School Corp)59.626.7
 32.9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)47.540.2
 7.3%
5th Grade Math (Cowan Elementary School)56.135
 21.1%
   5th Grade Math (Cowan Community School Corp)56.135
 21.1%
   5th Grade Math (Indiana)47.841.1
 6.7%
5th Grade Social Studies (Cowan Elementary School)49.149.2
 0.1%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Cowan Community School Corp)49.149.2
 0.1%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Indiana)4639.1
 6.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Cowan Elementary School)54.239
 15.2%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Cowan Community School Corp)54.239
 15.2%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)47.840.8
 7%
6th Grade Math (Cowan Elementary School)55.964.4
 8.5%
   6th Grade Math (Cowan Community School Corp)55.964.4
 8.5%
   6th Grade Math (Indiana)46.438.3
 8.1%
6th Grade Science (Cowan Elementary School)59.350.9
 8.5%
   6th Grade Science (Cowan Community School Corp)59.350.9
 8.5%
   6th Grade Science (Indiana)48.638.2
 10.4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students439429
 2.3%
African American23
 50%
American Indian00
Asian00
Hispanic916
 77.8%
Pacific Islander00
White415380
 8.4%
Two or More Races1330
 130.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients53.5%56.6%
 3.1%


Schools Near Cowan Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Cowan Elementary School

Students at Cowan Elementary School are 89% White, 7% Two or more races, 4% Hispanic.

Cowan Elementary School ranks 401st of 1010 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 429 students attended Cowan Elementary School.

Students who attend Cowan Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Cowan High School


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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.





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