Spencer Elementary School

Summary:

Spencer Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades PK-6 in Spencer, Indiana, with a student population of 557. The school is part of the Spencer-Owen Community Schools district, which is ranked 176 out of 381 districts in Indiana and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Despite some recent improvements, Spencer Elementary faces several challenges. The school has had very high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 20.8% to 50.0% in recent years, significantly higher than the 7.6% to 21.0% rates at other nearby schools in the district. Additionally, Spencer Elementary's test scores on the ILEARN assessments are consistently lower than the district and state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2023-2024, only 29.12% of students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 38.11% for the district, and 38.6% were proficient or better in math, compared to 38.42% for the district.

When compared to other schools in the area, Spencer Elementary lags behind. Patricksburg Elementary and Gosport Elementary, which are also in the Spencer-Owen district, have higher test scores and lower chronic absenteeism rates than Spencer Elementary. Additionally, schools in the neighboring Monroe County Community School Corp district, such as Marlin Elementary and Arlington Heights Elementary, have significantly higher test scores than Spencer Elementary, despite serving more diverse student populations.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

 151 Hillside Ave
       Spencer, IN  47460


(812) 829-2253

District: Spencer-Owen Community Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
634th of 1,010 Indiana Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,735 Help


Students who attend Spencer Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Owen Valley Middle School
High:    Owen Valley Community High School

Student/teacher ratio:  13.6 Help
Number of students:  557

Racial breakdown:

White:
94.3%
Two or more races:
3.2%
Hispanic:
1.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  61.6% Help


 See top rated Indiana elementary schools

 Compare Spencer Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Spencer Elementary School ranks worse than 62.8% of elementary schools in Indiana. It also ranks last among 4 ranked elementary schools in the Spencer-Owen Community Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 39.71. (See more...)
Help
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
Help
Compare Details Spencer Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Spencer-Owen Community Schools District. Racial makeup is: White (94.3%), two or more races (3.2%), Hispanic (1.4%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 61.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Spencer Elementary School is 13.6. 2 elementary schools in the Spencer-Owen Community Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Spencer Elementary School employs 40.9 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Spencer Elementary School is $9,735, which is the lowest among 4 elementary schools in the Spencer-Owen Community Schools District!
Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Spencer-Owen Community Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Spencer-Owen Community Schools 184th of 381 Indiana school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Spencer Elementary School?

Rank History for Spencer Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 25.49 287th 326 12.0%
2005 55.74 477th 959 50.3%
2006 54.74 487th 961 49.3%
2007 54.57 517th 985 47.5%
2008 57.50 478th 996 52.0%
2009 38.38 717th 1003 28.5%
2010 39.70 716th 1009 29.0%
2011 61.06 456th 1025 55.5%
2012 59.20 470th 1015 53.7%
2013 56.78 530th 1035 48.8%
2014 48.77 647th 1036 37.5%
2015 36.08 753rd 1040 27.6%
2016 41.81 714th 1046 31.7%
2017 38.69 718th 1033 30.5%
2018 31.45 779th 1027 24.1%
2019 46.42 608th 1031 41.0%
2021 50.96 542nd 1016 46.7%
2022 43.15 619th 1020 39.3%
2023 37.55 659th 1016 35.1%
2024 39.71 634th 1010 37.2%
See the entire list of Indiana Elementary School Rankings!

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

Spencer Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 







Data source: Indiana Department of Education

We're sorry, but no reviews have been submitted for Spencer Elementary School.

If you have first-hand knowledge about Spencer Elementary School, submit a rating!


Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!


Enrollment information for Spencer Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 887 3 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 890
1989 924 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 925
1990 904 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 905
1991 947 1 1 0 2 n/a n/a 0 951
1992 928 0 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 931
1993 997 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 997
1994 1033 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 1033
1995 1083 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 1083
1996 1083 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 1083
1997 1128 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 1128
1998 1089 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 1089
1999 1041 2 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 1043
2000 1026 2 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 1028
2001 716 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 716
2002 684 0 2 1 2 n/a n/a 0 689
2003 684 0 2 1 2 n/a n/a 0 689
2004 681 2 4 0 4 n/a n/a 0 691
2005 676 2 4 1 2 n/a n/a 0 685
2006 620 2 2 4 2 n/a n/a 0 630
2007 673 2 2 5 1 n/a n/a 2 685
2008 675 4 3 4 1 n/a n/a 6 693
2009 677 2 2 6 1 n/a n/a 4 692
2010 673 3 3 8 1 n/a n/a 4 692
2011 676 2 0 11 3 0 6 0 698
2012 635 2 0 11 1 0 15 0 664
2013 638 5 1 7 1 0 16 0 668
2014 683 4 2 10 1 0 10 0 710
2015 678 3 4 14 2 0 12 0 713
2016 644 3 3 15 1 0 13 0 679
2017 647 5 4 11 0 0 18 0 685
2018 637 8 5 15 0 0 17 0 682
2019 633 6 6 13 0 0 23 0 681
2020 620 2 3 10 0 0 24 0 659
2021 556 1 3 10 0 0 14 0 584
2022 559 3 3 6 1 0 19 0 591
2023 525 1 3 8 2 0 18 0 557

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 Spencer Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 890 43.8 20.3 16.1
1989 925 47.3 19.5 19.8
1990 905 45.7 19.8 18.7
1991 951 48.1 19.7 20
1992 931 45.7 20.3 24.6
1993 997 56.3 17.7 26.5
1994 1033 57.7 17.9 28.1
1995 1083 60.5 17.9 25.8
1996 1083 60.5 17.9 25.8
1997 1128 61.0 18.5 26.2
1998 1089 61.4 17.7 25
1999 1043 61.8 16.9 31.4
2000 1028 60.0 17.1 32.3
2001 716 40.1 17.9 35.2
2002 689 39.9 17.3 37.2
2003 689 39.9 17.3 37.2
2004 691 38.0 18.2 38.1
2005 685 38.6 17.7 34.2
2006 630 38.7 16.3 37.5
2007 685 n/a n/a 42.3
2008 693 39.9 17.4 43.1
2009 692 41.4 16.7 40.7
2010 692 37.0 18.7 46.9
2011 698 29.4 23.7 41.3
2012 664 32.0 20.7 51.8
2013 668 27.2 24.5 53.6
2014 710 25.0 28.4 55.1
2015 713 25.0 28.5 59.9
2016 679 25.0 27.1 48.6
2017 685 24.0 28.5 51.4
2018 682 25.0 27.2 54.7
2019 681 26.2 25.9 53.6
2020 659 27.0 24.4 54.9
2021 584 31.6 18.4 50
2022 591 38.6 15.2 42
2023 557 40.9 13.6 61.6

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 Spencer Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 890 43.8 20.3 16.1
1989 925 47.3 19.5 19.8
1990 905 45.7 19.8 18.7
1991 951 48.1 19.7 20
1992 931 45.7 20.3 24.6
1993 997 56.3 17.7 26.5
1994 1033 57.7 17.9 28.1
1995 1083 60.5 17.9 25.8
1996 1083 60.5 17.9 25.8
1997 1128 61.0 18.5 26.2
1998 1089 61.4 17.7 25
1999 1043 61.8 16.9 31.4
2000 1028 60.0 17.1 32.3
2001 716 40.1 17.9 35.2
2002 689 39.9 17.3 37.2
2003 689 39.9 17.3 37.2
2004 691 38.0 18.2 38.1
2005 685 38.6 17.7 34.2
2006 630 38.7 16.3 37.5
2007 685 n/a n/a 42.3
2008 693 39.9 17.4 43.1
2009 692 41.4 16.7 40.7
2010 692 37.0 18.7 46.9
2011 698 29.4 23.7 41.3
2012 664 32.0 20.7 51.8
2013 668 27.2 24.5 53.6
2014 710 25.0 28.4 55.1
2015 713 25.0 28.5 59.9
2016 679 25.0 27.1 48.6
2017 685 24.0 28.5 51.4
2018 682 25.0 27.2 54.7
2019 681 26.2 25.9 53.6
2020 659 27.0 24.4 54.9
2021 584 31.6 18.4 50
2022 591 38.6 15.2 42
2023 557 40.9 13.6 61.6

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 Spencer Elementary School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $624 (7.7%) $7,467 (92.3%) $8,091
2020 $434 (5.2%) $7,847 (94.8%) $8,281
2021 $884 (9.1%) $8,829 (90.9%) $9,714
2022 $1,148 (11.8%) $8,587 (88.2%) $9,735

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Spencer 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 608th of 1031 Elementary schoolsRanks 659th of 1016 Elementary schools
 5.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Spencer Elementary School)47.332.4
 14.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Spencer-Owen Community Schools)48.240.1
 8.1%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)46.339.7
 6.6%
3rd Grade Math (Spencer Elementary School)59.546.5
 13%
   3rd Grade Math (Spencer-Owen Community Schools)62.556.6
 5.9%
   3rd Grade Math (Indiana)58.753.1
 5.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Spencer Elementary School)33.831.8
 2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Spencer-Owen Community Schools)3633.1
 2.9%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)45.840.3
 5.5%
4th Grade Math (Spencer Elementary School)47.543.9
 3.6%
   4th Grade Math (Spencer-Owen Community Schools)51.351.3
   4th Grade Math (Indiana)5448.8
 5.2%
4th Grade Science (Spencer Elementary School)33.830.3
 3.5%
   4th Grade Science (Spencer-Owen Community Schools)32.934.4
 1.5%
   4th Grade Science (Indiana)46.337
 9.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Spencer Elementary School)46.823.3
 23.5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Spencer-Owen Community Schools)45.937.7
 8.2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)47.540.2
 7.3%
5th Grade Math (Spencer Elementary School)42.923.3
 19.6%
   5th Grade Math (Spencer-Owen Community Schools)52.537.7
 14.8%
   5th Grade Math (Indiana)47.841.1
 6.7%
5th Grade Social Studies (Spencer Elementary School)33.821.9
 11.9%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Spencer-Owen Community Schools)38.331.5
 6.8%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Indiana)4639.1
 6.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Spencer Elementary School)50.730.7
 20%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Spencer-Owen Community Schools)46.139.5
 6.6%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)47.840.8
 7%
6th Grade Math (Spencer Elementary School)5234.7
 17.3%
   6th Grade Math (Spencer-Owen Community Schools)49.739.5
 10.2%
   6th Grade Math (Indiana)46.438.3
 8.1%
6th Grade Science (Spencer Elementary School)38.728
 10.7%
   6th Grade Science (Spencer-Owen Community Schools)4036.4
 3.6%
   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 Students681557
 18.2%
African American61
 83.3%
American Indian02
Asian63
 50%
Hispanic138
 38.5%
Pacific Islander00
White633525
 17.1%
Two or More Races2318
 21.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients53.6%61.6%
 8%


Schools Near Spencer Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Spencer Elementary School

Students at Spencer Elementary School are 94% White, 3% Two or more races, 1% Hispanic.

Spencer Elementary School ranks 634th of 1010 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 557 students attended Spencer Elementary School.

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

Middle : Owen Valley Middle School
High : Owen Valley Community High School


Rate Spencer Elementary School!



Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Spencer Elementary School!




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.





Diagnostics

None retrieved from Database in 47 milliseconds.