Southern Wells Elementary School

Summary:

Southern Wells Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Poneto, Indiana, serving 509 students in grades K-6 and part of the South Adams Schools district.

While Southern Wells Elementary has a significantly higher percentage of white students (93.91%) compared to the state average, it faces some unique challenges. The school's proficiency rates on the ILEARN assessments are generally lower than the state averages and the scores of surrounding schools, such as Salamonie Elementary, which has significantly higher proficiency rates in both English Language Arts and Math. Additionally, Southern Wells Elementary has a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (53.63%), which may be a contributing factor to the school's lower academic performance.

Interestingly, Southern Wells Elementary's statewide ranking has steadily declined over the past several years, from 341 out of 1,031 Indiana elementary schools in 2018-2019 to 507 out of 1,010 in 2023-2024. This suggests the school is struggling to keep pace with other elementary schools in the state. To address these challenges, the school could benefit from targeted interventions and support to improve student learning and achievement, particularly in addressing chronic absenteeism and exploring ways to better support economically disadvantaged students.


Detail:

Public K-6

 9120 S 300 W
       Poneto, IN  46781


(765) 728-2121

District: Southern Wells Com Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
507th of 1,010 Indiana Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,743 Help


Students who attend Southern Wells Elementary School usually attend:

High:    Southern Wells Junior-Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio:  17.8 Help
Number of students:  509

Racial breakdown:

White:
93.9%
Hispanic:
4.7%
Two or more races:
1.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  53.6% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Southern Wells Elementary School ranks worse than 50.2% of elementary schools in Indiana. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 51.58. (See more...)
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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
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (93.9%), Hispanic (4.7%), two or more races (1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 53.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Southern Wells Elementary School is 17.8. (See more...)
Help
Compare Southern Wells Elementary School employs 28.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Southern Wells Elementary School is $9,743.
Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Southern Wells Com Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Southern Wells Com Schools 91st of 381 Indiana school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Southern Wells Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 63.26 119th 326 63.5%
2005 65.88 315th 959 67.2%
2006 63.55 358th 961 62.7%
2007 61.67 399th 985 59.5%
2008 71.87 242nd 996 75.7%
2009 70.78 286th 1003 71.5%
2010 73.99 238th 1009 76.4%
2011 72.95 243rd 1025 76.3%
2012 78.69 165th 1015 83.7%
2013 74.29 227th 1035 78.1%
2014 53.34 570th 1036 45.0%
2015 46.79 636th 1040 38.8%
2016 47.75 644th 1046 38.4%
2017 43.07 657th 1033 36.4%
2018 54.92 525th 1027 48.9%
2019 66.69 341st 1031 66.9%
2021 62.74 375th 1016 63.1%
2022 61.64 398th 1020 61.0%
2023 56.51 470th 1016 53.7%
2024 51.58 507th 1010 49.8%
See the entire list of Indiana Elementary School Rankings!

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

Southern Wells Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
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District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
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Data source: Indiana Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Southern Wells 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 500 0 0 16 0 n/a n/a 0 516
1989 508 0 0 16 0 n/a n/a 0 524
1990 481 2 0 13 0 n/a n/a 0 496
1991 482 0 0 8 0 n/a n/a 0 490
1992 471 0 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 472
1993 470 1 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 473
1994 471 0 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 474
1995 476 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 476
1996 476 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 476
1997 473 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 473
1998 466 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 466
1999 476 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 476
2000 456 0 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 457
2001 460 0 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 462
2002 444 0 1 3 0 n/a n/a 0 448
2003 444 0 1 3 0 n/a n/a 0 448
2004 417 0 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 418
2005 393 0 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 395
2006 377 0 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 379
2007 373 0 0 1 0 n/a n/a 4 378
2008 359 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 5 364
2009 378 0 0 1 0 n/a n/a 4 383
2010 384 0 0 1 0 n/a n/a 3 388
2011 404 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 407
2012 403 1 1 5 0 0 0 0 410
2013 432 1 0 6 0 0 0 0 439
2014 422 1 0 3 0 0 1 0 427
2015 422 2 0 4 0 0 1 0 429
2016 414 3 1 11 1 0 3 0 433
2017 419 2 3 13 1 0 1 0 439
2018 467 1 1 8 1 0 2 0 480
2019 441 1 1 12 1 0 3 0 459
2020 449 1 0 11 1 0 4 0 466
2021 404 1 0 12 2 0 4 0 423
2022 431 1 1 17 1 1 4 0 456
2023 478 1 1 24 0 0 5 0 509

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 Southern Wells Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 516 27.0 19.1 9.5
1989 524 28.0 18.7 7.8
1990 496 28.0 17.7 8.1
1991 490 28.0 17.5 9.6
1992 472 26.4 17.8 10.4
1993 473 26.4 17.9 13.7
1994 474 25.5 18.6 13.5
1995 476 27.3 17.4 8.8
1996 476 27.3 17.4 8.8
1997 473 26.3 18.0 11.2
1998 466 25.3 18.4 11.8
1999 476 26.0 18.3 17.9
2000 457 27.0 16.9 16
2001 462 27.6 16.7 17.1
2002 448 26.1 17.2 14.5
2003 448 26.1 17.2 14.5
2004 418 25.1 16.7 14.4
2005 395 23.6 16.7 11.4
2006 379 22.6 16.8 19
2007 378 n/a n/a 20.6
2008 364 23.1 15.8 22.8
2009 383 24.1 15.9 28
2010 388 21.5 17.9 33.2
2011 407 18.8 21.5 32.7
2012 410 26.0 15.7 35.6
2013 439 27.0 16.2 32.6
2014 427 26.0 16.4 36.5
2015 429 26.0 16.5 35.9
2016 433 26.0 16.6 34.6
2017 439 27.0 16.2 33.5
2018 480 30.0 16.0 41.7
2019 459 29.0 15.8 40.7
2020 466 28.0 16.6 40.6
2021 423 26.0 16.2 41.1
2022 456 27.0 16.8 39.3
2023 509 28.5 17.8 53.6

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 Southern Wells Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 516 27.0 19.1 9.5
1989 524 28.0 18.7 7.8
1990 496 28.0 17.7 8.1
1991 490 28.0 17.5 9.6
1992 472 26.4 17.8 10.4
1993 473 26.4 17.9 13.7
1994 474 25.5 18.6 13.5
1995 476 27.3 17.4 8.8
1996 476 27.3 17.4 8.8
1997 473 26.3 18.0 11.2
1998 466 25.3 18.4 11.8
1999 476 26.0 18.3 17.9
2000 457 27.0 16.9 16
2001 462 27.6 16.7 17.1
2002 448 26.1 17.2 14.5
2003 448 26.1 17.2 14.5
2004 418 25.1 16.7 14.4
2005 395 23.6 16.7 11.4
2006 379 22.6 16.8 19
2007 378 n/a n/a 20.6
2008 364 23.1 15.8 22.8
2009 383 24.1 15.9 28
2010 388 21.5 17.9 33.2
2011 407 18.8 21.5 32.7
2012 410 26.0 15.7 35.6
2013 439 27.0 16.2 32.6
2014 427 26.0 16.4 36.5
2015 429 26.0 16.5 35.9
2016 433 26.0 16.6 34.6
2017 439 27.0 16.2 33.5
2018 480 30.0 16.0 41.7
2019 459 29.0 15.8 40.7
2020 466 28.0 16.6 40.6
2021 423 26.0 16.2 41.1
2022 456 27.0 16.8 39.3
2023 509 28.5 17.8 53.6

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 Southern Wells Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $155 (1.8%) $8,389 (98.2%) $8,544
2020 $226 (2.7%) $8,235 (97.3%) $8,461
2021 $802 (8.3%) $8,864 (91.7%) $9,666
2022 $561 (5.8%) $9,182 (94.2%) $9,743

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Southern Wells 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 341st of 1031 Elementary schoolsRanks 470th of 1016 Elementary schools
 13.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Southern Wells Elementary School)44.634.2
 10.4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Southern Wells Com Schools)44.634.2
 10.4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)46.339.7
 6.6%
3rd Grade Math (Southern Wells Elementary School)64.341.8
 22.5%
   3rd Grade Math (Southern Wells Com Schools)64.341.8
 22.5%
   3rd Grade Math (Indiana)58.753.1
 5.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Southern Wells Elementary School)4734.3
 12.7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Southern Wells Com Schools)4734.3
 12.7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)45.840.3
 5.5%
4th Grade Math (Southern Wells Elementary School)59.152.2
 6.9%
   4th Grade Math (Southern Wells Com Schools)59.152.2
 6.9%
   4th Grade Math (Indiana)5448.8
 5.2%
4th Grade Science (Southern Wells Elementary School)59.138.8
 20.3%
   4th Grade Science (Southern Wells Com Schools)59.138.8
 20.3%
   4th Grade Science (Indiana)46.337
 9.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Southern Wells Elementary School)54.435.7
 18.7%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Southern Wells Com Schools)54.435.7
 18.7%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)47.540.2
 7.3%
5th Grade Math (Southern Wells Elementary School)58.838.6
 20.2%
   5th Grade Math (Southern Wells Com Schools)58.838.6
 20.2%
   5th Grade Math (Indiana)47.841.1
 6.7%
5th Grade Social Studies (Southern Wells Elementary School)57.442.9
 14.5%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Southern Wells Com Schools)57.442.9
 14.5%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Indiana)4639.1
 6.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Southern Wells Elementary School)53.544.8
 8.7%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Southern Wells Com Schools)53.544.8
 8.7%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)47.840.8
 7%
6th Grade Math (Southern Wells Elementary School)46.546.3
 0.2%
   6th Grade Math (Southern Wells Com Schools)46.546.3
 0.2%
   6th Grade Math (Indiana)46.438.3
 8.1%
6th Grade Science (Southern Wells Elementary School)53.544.8
 8.7%
   6th Grade Science (Southern Wells Com Schools)53.544.8
 8.7%
   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 Students459509
 10.9%
African American11
American Indian10
 100%
Asian11
Hispanic1224
 100%
Pacific Islander00
White441478
 8.4%
Two or More Races35
 66.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients40.7%53.6%
 12.9%


Schools Near Southern Wells Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Southern Wells Elementary School

Students who attend Southern Wells Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Southern Wells Junior-Senior High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 509 students attended Southern Wells Elementary School.

Southern Wells Elementary School ranks 507th of 1010 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students at Southern Wells Elementary School are 94% White, 5% Hispanic.


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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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