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Little Turtle Elementary School

Q: Is Little Turtle Elementary School a good school?

Little Turtle Elementary School ranks 506 th of 1015 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

506^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,015 Indiana Elementary Schools

Better than 50% of Indiana elementary schools

Summary

Little Turtle Elementary School is a K–5 school in Columbia City, Indiana, serving 583 students as part of Whitley County Con Schools. It is the largest elementary in its immediate district comparison group and currently ranks 506th of 1,015 Indiana elementary schools in 2025–2026, at the 50th percentile with 3 stars. That is up from 2 stars and the 43rd–46th percentile in recent prior years, and chronic absenteeism improved from 9.8% in 2022–2023 to 4.5% in 2024–2025.

For parents comparing nearby schools, the clearest strength is math: all-grade proficiency is 48.16%, about 7.48 points above the district average and second in the district only to Northern Heights Elementary School. ELA is the opposite: all-grade ELA is 38.13%, below the district average, and only Mary Raber Elementary School is lower among same-district peers. Grade-level results are uneven: 5th-grade ELA is 44.66%, above district and state, while 3rd-grade ELA is only 30.77%, far below both. Science also lags, with all-grade science at 40% and 4th-grade science at 40%, below district and state. Attendance is a clear positive: chronic absenteeism is 4.5%, far below the district’s 8.1% and the state’s 16.7%. About 40.65% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch, and the school has the lowest per-student spending among compared schools ($9,523) and a student–teacher ratio of 16.1, the highest in its district.

Within the district, Northern Heights Elementary School outperforms, while Coesse School has higher ELA and science but lower math and worse attendance, and Mary Raber Elementary School is weaker in math, science, and attendance. High-performing nearby schools show the gap: Aboite Elementary School is at the 100th percentile with 82.58% ELA and 90.11% math, Deer Ridge Elementary is at the 91st percentile with 63.76% ELA and 67.69% math, and Arcola School is at the 76th percentile with 51.64% ELA and 60.66% math. South Whitley Elementary School reaches 67.69% ELA and 73.08% math with 45% free/reduced lunch and $11,697 per-student spending. Overall, the school is median-performing and improving, with strong attendance and relative math strength, but clear ELA and science weaknesses that suggest the biggest opportunities are in early literacy and science.

583

Students ?

16.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$9,854

Per pupil spending ?

40.7%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

91%

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

1710 S State Rd 9
Columbia City, IN 46725

(260) 244-3343

District: Whitley County Con Schools

Students who attend Little Turtle Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Indian Springs Middle School
High:	Columbia City High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

88.9%

Two or more races:

6.0%

Hispanic:

3.3%

See top rated Indiana elementary schools

Compare Little Turtle Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 60th percentile in 2016 → 50th in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the Indiana median (50th percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 10 percentile points since 2016

!Near the bottom of Whitley County Con Schools's ranking

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school43%

District avg43%

Indiana avg47%

506^th of 1,015

Indiana public elementary schools ?

Top 50%▼ down 9 pts since 2016

From top 40% (2016) to top 50% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Indiana Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

3^rd of 4Elementary Schools in the Whitley County Con Schools

151^st of 374Whitley County Con Schools 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	51.3	506 of 1015	50.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	50.9	503 of 1005	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	48.3	544 of 1011	46.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	49.0	548 of 1016	46.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	46.9	580 of 1020	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	47.6	575 of 1016	43.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	49.3	575 of 1031	44.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	53.0	551 of 1027	46.3%	★★☆☆☆
2017	62.7	420 of 1033	59.3%	★★★☆☆
2016	62.9	423 of 1046	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2015	70.0	290 of 1040	72.1%	★★★★☆
2014	66.1	377 of 1036	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2013	63.9	416 of 1035	59.8%	★★★☆☆
2012	62.2	415 of 1015	59.1%	★★★☆☆
2011	67.0	345 of 1025	66.3%	★★★☆☆
2010	57.7	507 of 1009	49.8%	★★☆☆☆
2009	58.9	471 of 1003	53.0%	★★★☆☆
2008	56.1	501 of 996	49.7%	★★☆☆☆
2007	62.5	387 of 985	60.7%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Indiana (2025-2026) ?

Math48%

Social Studies42%-5 vs state

Science40%

English Language Arts38%

★

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Schools Near Little Turtle Elementary School

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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 All Grades	ILEARN Math 3rd Grade	ILEARN Math 4th Grade	ILEARN Math 5th Grade	ILEARN Math All Grades	ILEARN Science 4th 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
Little Turtle Elementary School	Public	K-5	1710 S State Rd 9	Columbia City	46725	Whitley County	Whitley County Con Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 244-3343	583	36	16.1	40.7%	518 (88.9%)	7 (1.2%)	19 (3.3%)	4 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (6.0%)	51.3	506^th of 1015 public elementary schools	50.1%		50.9	503^rd of 1005 public elementary schools	50.0%	3	30.8	38.1	44.7	38.1	50.6	46.7	47.6	48.2	40.0	40.0	41.8	91%		$9,854	$739	$9,115
Mary Raber Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	700 E Jackson St	Columbia City	46725	Whitley County	Whitley County Con Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 244-5857	297	19	15.4	32.7%	270 (90.9%)	2 (0.7%)	10 (3.4%)	3 (1.0%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	10 (3.4%)	34.6	678^th of 1015 public elementary schools	33.2%		22.2	797^th of 1005 public elementary schools	20.7%	119	48.7	20.0	45.8	36.6	32.4	27.5	41.7	32.7	30.0	30.0	29.2	91.4%		$11,846	$931	$10,914
Coesse School	Public	K-5	2250 S 500 E	Columbia City	46725	Whitley County	Whitley County Con Schools	No	No	No	No	(260) 244-3351	291	20	14.4	48.5%	266 (91.4%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (5.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.7%)	56	439^th of 1015 public elementary schools	56.7%		46.3	557^th of 1005 public elementary schools	44.6%	118	51.9	62.2	37.2	50.7	53.7	44.4	34.9	45.1	46.7	46.7	27.9	90.3%		$11,269	$763	$10,507
Northern Heights Elementary School	Public	K-5	5209 N Sr 109	Columbia City	46725	Whitley County	Whitley County Con Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 691-2371	504	33	15.1	30.0%	467 (92.7%)	1 (0.2%)	16 (3.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	18 (3.6%)	62.8	368^th of 1015 public elementary schools	63.7%		59.2	415^th of 1005 public elementary schools	58.7%	47	55.6	43.8	40.2	46.3	66.7	41.6	59.8	55.6	44.9	44.9	42.5	90.4%		$10,532	$412	$10,119
South Whitley Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	406 W Wayne St	South Whitley	46787	Whitley County	Whitko Community School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 723-6342	300	18	16.4	45.0%	275 (91.7%)	2 (0.7%)	12 (4.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (3.3%)	90.5	64^th of 1015 public elementary schools	93.7%		60	402^nd of 1005 public elementary schools	60.0%	338	61.4	57.9	81.3	67.7	75.0	63.2	79.2	73.1	57.9	57.9	95.8	87.5%		$11,005	$1,606	$9,399
Covington Elementary School	Public	K-5	2430 W Hamilton Rd - South	Fort Wayne	46814	Allen County	MSD Southwest Allen County Schls	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 431-0501	746	51	14.6	33.2%	421 (56.4%)	134 (18.0%)	75 (10.1%)	39 (5.2%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	76 (10.2%)	65.6	339^th of 1015 public elementary schools	66.6%		61.7	375^th of 1005 public elementary schools	62.7%	36	38.8	44.4	48.1	43.9	61.2	56.6	45.4	53.9	46.5	46.5	57.7	81.2%		$11,402	$782	$10,620
Arcola School	Public	K-5	11006 Arcola Rd	Arcola	46704	Allen County	Northwest Allen County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 625-3161	227	17	13.2	32.2%	181 (79.7%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (8.8%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (11.0%)	74.5	242^nd of 1015 public elementary schools	76.2%		79.6	186^th of 1005 public elementary schools	81.5%	56	63.2	50.0	43.8	51.6	89.5	55.6	41.7	60.7	55.6	55.6	60.4	92.6%		$13,267	$661	$12,606
Churubusco Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3 Eagle Dr	Churubusco	46723	Whitley County	Smith-Green Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 693-2188	500	34	14.9	35.4%	461 (92.2%)	2 (0.4%)	17 (3.4%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (3.4%)	75.6	230^th of 1015 public elementary schools	77.3%		59.6	409^th of 1005 public elementary schools	59.3%	179	60.9	37.2	52.7	50.8	75.9	56.4	53.8	62.0	48.7	48.7	65.6	89.8%		$10,985	$335	$10,650
Deer Ridge Elementary	Public	K-5	1515 Scott Rd	Fort Wayne	46814	Allen County	MSD Southwest Allen County Schls	No	No	No	No	(260) 431-0701	430	30	14.4	16.7%	327 (76.0%)	23 (5.3%)	25 (5.8%)	24 (5.6%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (6.5%)	88.2	92^nd of 1015 public elementary schools	90.9%		86.4	121^st of 1005 public elementary schools	88.0%	29	62.3	63.8	65.3	63.8	72.7	66.3	63.9	67.7	56.3	56.3	77.8	80.2%		$11,400	$543	$10,857
Aboite Elementary School	Public	K-5	5004 Homestead Rd	Fort Wayne	46814	Allen County	MSD Southwest Allen County Schls	No	No	No	No	(260) 431-2101	497	35	14.3	19.9%	385 (77.5%)	15 (3.0%)	35 (7.0%)	33 (6.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (5.6%)	98.5	2^nd of 1015 public elementary schools	99.8%		96.4	17^th of 1005 public elementary schools	98.3%	15	90.2	78.6	79.6	82.6	90.2	91.7	88.7	90.1	83.3	83.3	81.6	78.9%		$11,095	$527	$10,568

Frequently Asked Questions about Little Turtle Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Little Turtle Elementary School?

Students at Little Turtle Elementary School are 89% White, 6% Two or more races, 3% Hispanic, 1% African American.

Is Little Turtle Elementary School a good school?

Little Turtle Elementary School ranks 506^th of 1015 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Little Turtle Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 583 students attended Little Turtle Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of Little Turtle Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Little Turtle Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Indian Springs Middle School
High : Columbia City High School

What district is Little Turtle Elementary School in?

Whitley County Con Schools

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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)Oct 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.