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L F Smith Elementary

Q: Is L F Smith Elementary a good school?

L F Smith Elementary ranks 686 th of 1015 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-6

686^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,015 Indiana Elementary Schools

Better than 32% of Indiana elementary schools

Summary

L F Smith Elementary is a PK–6 school at 4505 Waycross Dr in Columbus, IN, serving 420 students as part of Bartholomew Con School Corp, whose district ranks 162nd of 374 in Indiana (57th percentile, 3 stars), while the school itself ranks 686th of 1,015 (32nd percentile, 2 stars).

For parents comparing nearby options, L F Smith Elementary’s 2025–26 all-grade ILEARN proficiency was 32.92% in ELA, 30.42% in math, and 34.55% in science, trailing district averages in all three subjects, with the widest gap in math (district 42.98%). The school outperforms Taylorsville Elementary School in all three subjects and beats Lillian Schmitt Elementary School and Clifty Creek Elementary School in ELA and science, but it is below Southside Elementary School, CSA Lincoln Campus, Rockcreek Elementary School, Parkside Elementary School, CSA Fodrea Campus, W D Richards Elementary School, and Hope Elementary School in most all-grade measures. Grade-level results show a clear split: 6th grade ELA (45.28%) and science (41.51%) are above district and state benchmarks, while 5th grade math (19.35%), 5th grade social studies (24.19%), 4th grade math (33.33%), 3rd grade ELA (26.47%), and 4th grade science (28.07%) are well below state or district results.

Chronic absenteeism is a relative strength at 13.0% in 2024–25, better than the district’s 15.9% and the state’s 16.7%, and improved from 19.5% in 2022–23. The school serves a high-poverty population: 57.86% free/reduced lunch in 2024–25, above Southside Elementary School, CSA Lincoln Campus, Rockcreek Elementary School, Parkside Elementary School, CSA Fodrea Campus, W D Richards Elementary School, and Hope Elementary School, and similar to Lillian Schmitt Elementary School, Taylorsville Elementary School, and Clifty Creek Elementary School. It also has the highest per-pupil spending among these nearby schools ($14,082 in 2023–24) and a relatively favorable student-teacher ratio of 15.4, yet proficiency remains low and has declined over recent years. Overall, L F Smith Elementary is not the lowest performer among nearby peers, but it is clearly below the district and below the higher-performing Bartholomew elementary schools, with math—especially grades 4–5—as the clearest instructional concern.

420

Students ?

15.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,953

Per pupil spending ?

57.9%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

85.1%

Kindergartners vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) (2025-26)

4505 Waycross Dr
Columbus, IN 47203

(812) 376-4317

District: Bartholomew Con School Corp

Students who attend L F Smith Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Northside Middle School
High:	Columbus East High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

70.7%

Hispanic:

16.2%

Two or more races:

7.6%

See top rated Indiana elementary schools

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At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 58th percentile in 2016 → 32nd in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Indiana average (31% vs 47% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 26 percentile points since 2016

!Social Studies scores 23 pts below the Indiana average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school31%

District avg42%

Indiana avg47%

686^th of 1,015

Indiana public elementary schools ?

Bottom 32%▼ down 26 pts since 2016

From top 42% (2016) to bottom 32% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Indiana Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

7^th of 11Elementary Schools in the Bartholomew Con School Corp

162^nd of 374Bartholomew Con School Corp among Indiana districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Indiana percentile	Rating
2026	33.7	686 of 1015	32.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	40.8	613 of 1005	39.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	41.3	614 of 1011	39.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	43.9	598 of 1016	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	39.2	659 of 1020	35.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	42.9	619 of 1016	39.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	54.7	500 of 1031	51.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	47.7	616 of 1027	40.0%	★★☆☆☆
2017	59.5	474 of 1033	54.1%	★★★☆☆
2016	62.4	439 of 1046	58.0%	★★★☆☆
2015	58.7	460 of 1040	55.8%	★★★☆☆
2014	57.5	506 of 1036	51.2%	★★★☆☆
2013	55.6	554 of 1035	46.5%	★★☆☆☆
2012	55.3	534 of 1015	47.4%	★★☆☆☆
2011	38.5	751 of 1025	26.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	40.0	713 of 1009	29.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	35.6	739 of 1003	26.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	55.4	517 of 996	48.1%	★★☆☆☆
2007	64.4	354 of 985	64.1%	★★★☆☆
2006	53.2	517 of 961	46.2%	★★☆☆☆
2005	55.2	488 of 959	49.1%	★★☆☆☆
2004	40.3	241 of 326	26.1%	★☆☆☆☆

By subject vs Indiana (2025-2026) ?

Science35%

English Language Arts33%

Math30%

Social Studies24%-23 vs state

★

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Schools Near L F Smith Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				ILEARN English Language Arts (2026)					ILEARN Math (2026)					ILEARN Science (2026)			ILEARN Social Studies (2026)	Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
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/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ILEARN English Language Arts 3rd Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 4th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 5th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 6th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts All Grades	ILEARN Math 3rd Grade	ILEARN Math 4th Grade	ILEARN Math 5th Grade	ILEARN Math 6th Grade	ILEARN Math All Grades	ILEARN Science 4th Grade	ILEARN Science 6th Grade	ILEARN Science All Grades	ILEARN Social Studies 5th Grade	Vaccination: Kindergartners vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
L F Smith Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	4505 Waycross Dr	Columbus	47203	Bartholomew County	Bartholomew Con School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(812) 376-4317	420	27	15.4	57.9%	297 (70.7%)	15 (3.6%)	68 (16.2%)	8 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (7.6%)	33.7	686^th of 1015 public elementary schools	32.4%		40.8	613^th of 1005 public elementary schools	39.0%	73	26.5	31.6	30.7	45.3	32.9	35.3	33.3	19.4	34.0	30.4	28.1	41.5	34.6	24.2	85.1%		$14,953	$1,595	$13,359
Clifty Creek Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	4625 E 50 N	Columbus	47203	Bartholomew County	Bartholomew Con School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(812) 376-4342	705	48	14.6	66.0%	330 (46.8%)	35 (5.0%)	293 (41.6%)	8 (1.1%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (5.2%)	32.8	695^th of 1015 public elementary schools	31.5%		27.9	745^th of 1005 public elementary schools	25.9%	50	41.9	31.5	20.7	25.6	30.7	55.2	32.6	28.1	26.7	36.7	30.0	20.9	25.6	24.4	84.8%		$12,217	$990	$11,227
W D Richards Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	3311 Fairlawn Dr	Columbus	47201	Bartholomew County	Bartholomew Con School Corp	No	No	No	No	(812) 376-4311	610	31	19.8	45.2%	380 (62.3%)	23 (3.8%)	139 (22.8%)	33 (5.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (5.7%)	49.8	529^th of 1015 public elementary schools	47.9%		48.3	536^th of 1005 public elementary schools	46.7%	7	31.1	44.4	45.5	40.3	40.7	37.8	51.0	37.7	35.1	41.1	45.9	33.8	40.6	31.2	93.5%		$11,389	$303	$11,086
CSA Fodrea Campus	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-6	2775 Illinois St	Columbus	47201	Bartholomew County	Bartholomew Con School Corp	No	Yes	No	No	(812) 376-4321	351	20	17.5	40.7%	177 (50.4%)	8 (2.3%)	45 (12.8%)	88 (25.1%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (9.1%)	59.3	401^st of 1015 public elementary schools	60.5%		45.1	571^st of 1005 public elementary schools	43.2%	170	42.9	45.7	50.0	47.4	46.5	47.6	50.0	52.2	42.1	48.3	37.0	39.5	38.1	41.3	91.1%		$11,741	$275	$11,466
Lillian Schmitt Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	2675 California	Columbus	47201	Bartholomew County	Bartholomew Con School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(812) 376-4307	704	40	17.7	61.8%	408 (58.0%)	49 (7.0%)	154 (21.9%)	11 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	82 (11.6%)	32.6	698^th of 1015 public elementary schools	31.2%		34	684^th of 1005 public elementary schools	31.9%	14	40.0	24.5	22.7	41.7	31.6	43.9	33.0	23.9	31.0	32.7	27.2	31.0	28.9	28.4	90.2%		$12,230	$1,092	$11,138
Parkside Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	1400 Parkside Dr	Columbus	47201	Bartholomew County	Bartholomew Con School Corp	No	No	No	No	(812) 376-4314	733	45	16.3	42.0%	420 (57.3%)	13 (1.8%)	175 (23.9%)	77 (10.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	47 (6.4%)	70.7	281^st of 1015 public elementary schools	72.3%		72.5	260^th of 1005 public elementary schools	74.1%	21	46.2	41.8	59.4	47.0	48.4	61.5	51.8	59.4	45.3	53.6	41.8	50.0	46.0	65.6	98.9%		$12,757	$607	$12,151
CSA Lincoln Campus	Public	K-6	750 5th St	Columbus	47201	Bartholomew County	Bartholomew Con School Corp	No	No	No	No	(812) 376-4447	357	18	19.6	25.5%	278 (77.9%)	3 (0.8%)	37 (10.4%)	22 (6.2%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	15 (4.2%)	92.2	50^th of 1015 public elementary schools	95.1%		93.2	45^th of 1005 public elementary schools	95.5%	5	70.6	79.3	73.1	74.5	74.4	74.5	81.1	78.9	64.7	74.9	64.2	51.0	57.7	59.6	98%		$11,508	$140	$11,368
Southside Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	1320 W 200 S	Columbus	47201	Bartholomew County	Bartholomew Con School Corp	No	No	No	No	(812) 376-4423	891	50	18.0	21.0%	439 (49.3%)	28 (3.1%)	104 (11.7%)	282 (31.6%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (4.0%)	87.3	105^th of 1015 public elementary schools	89.7%		86	125^th of 1005 public elementary schools	87.6%	20	52.3	55.9	60.2	68.6	59.5	68.2	65.3	68.4	66.9	67.2	63.6	58.7	61.1	64.7	88.7%		$11,731	$319	$11,412
Rockcreek Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	13000 E 200 S	Columbus	47201	Bartholomew County	Bartholomew Con School Corp	No	No	No	No	(812) 579-5221	351	19	18.4	32.2%	326 (92.9%)	2 (0.6%)	14 (4.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.6%)	70.9	279^th of 1015 public elementary schools	72.5%		76.3	220^th of 1005 public elementary schools	78.1%	59	36.5	57.5	46.9	39.6	44.4	71.2	75.0	69.4	52.1	66.7	50.0	27.1	37.5	59.2	100%		$11,848	$364	$11,484
Taylorsville Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	9711 Walnut St	Taylorsville	47280	Bartholomew County	Bartholomew Con School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(812) 526-5448	580	35	16.4	62.8%	320 (55.2%)	6 (1.0%)	230 (39.7%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (4.0%)	23.7	791^st of 1015 public elementary schools	22.1%		21.6	803^rd of 1005 public elementary schools	20.1%	12	28.8	21.3	33.8	24.7	26.9	38.8	26.3	28.2	15.7	26.9	25.0	12.4	18.3	33.8	83.1%		$13,425	$1,196	$12,229

Frequently Asked Questions about L F Smith Elementary

What schools do graduates of L F Smith Elementary attend?

Students who attend L F Smith Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Northside Middle School
High : Columbus East High School

What is the racial makeup of L F Smith Elementary?

Students at L F Smith Elementary are 71% White, 16% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 4% African American, 2% Asian.

What district is L F Smith Elementary in?

Bartholomew Con School Corp

Is L F Smith Elementary a good school?

L F Smith Elementary ranks 686^th of 1015 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend L F Smith Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 420 students attended L F Smith Elementary.

Rate L F Smith Elementary!

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Latest Indiana data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataNewOct 28, 2026

2025–26 attendance dataNewOct 28, 2026

2024–25 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 20, 2026

2023–24 immunization rates (updated)Oct 19, 2026

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.