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Merle J Abbett Elementary School

Public Grades PK, KG-5

956^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,015 Indiana Elementary Schools

Better than 6% of Indiana elementary schools

Summary

Merle J Abbett Elementary School is a PK–5 school at 4325 Smith St in Fort Wayne, Indiana, serving 467 students as part of Fort Wayne Community Schools, where 72.59% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch and the student-teacher ratio is 11.9.

Academically, the school ranks near the bottom of the state. In 2025–2026 it placed 956th of 1,015 Indiana elementary schools — the 6th percentile with 0 stars — with ILEARN proficiency of 14.95% in English language arts, 14.02% in math, 15.49% in science, and 9.09% in 5th grade social studies. Those are the lowest all-grade ELA and math rates among nearby schools with comparable data: John S Irwin Elementary School reached 45.83% ELA and 40.97% math, and Weisser Park Elementary School reached 37.74% and 42.32%. The provided rank history shows the school has never earned above 0 stars, with percentiles ranging from 1st to 6th over the past decade.

The most striking difference is attendance: 31.4% of students were chronically absent in 2024–2025, higher than every nearby school with reported data and well above the district's 20.2% and the state's 16.7%. Nearby schools with stronger results have far lower rates — 3.6% at John S Irwin and 9.1% at Weisser Park. Poverty is high at Abbett but not unique; South Wayne Elementary School (80.59%) and Timothy L Johnson Academy (82.73%) are higher, and Harrison Hill Elementary School spends less ($11,810 per student) yet outperforms. On a positive note, proficiency rose from 2024–2025 to 2025–2026 in ELA (9.91% to 14.95%), math (8.14% to 14.02%), and science (10.0% to 15.49%), while chronic absenteeism fell from 42.7% in 2020–2021. Even so, results remain far below district and state levels.

467

Students ?

11.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,567

Per pupil spending ?

72.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

4325 Smith St
Fort Wayne, IN 46806

(260) 467-5800

District: Fort Wayne Community Schools

Students who attend Merle J Abbett Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Lane Middle School
High:	South Side High School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

45.6%

African American:

30.6%

Asian:

11.6%

See top rated Indiana elementary schools

Compare Merle J Abbett Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 1st percentile in 2016 → 6th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 5 percentile points since 2016

✓Small classes — about 12 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Indiana average (14% vs 47% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (6th percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (31% vs 17% Indiana)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school14%

District avg30%

Indiana avg47%

956^th of 1,015

Indiana public elementary schools ?

Bottom 6%▲ up 5 pts since 2016

From bottom 1% (2016) to bottom 6% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Indiana Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

30^th of 31Elementary Schools in the Fort Wayne Community Schools

274^th of 374Fort Wayne Community 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	8.2	956 of 1015	5.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	6.2	974 of 1005	3.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	7.5	961 of 1011	4.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	5.2	995 of 1016	2.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	4.1	1014 of 1020	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	6.6	966 of 1016	4.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	3.0	1014 of 1031	1.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	1.4	1020 of 1027	0.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	2.0	1011 of 1033	2.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	1.8	1033 of 1046	1.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	14.5	945 of 1040	9.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2014	3.8	1012 of 1036	2.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	11.3	970 of 1035	6.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	25.4	847 of 1015	16.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	8.9	968 of 1025	5.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2010	4.1	987 of 1009	2.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2009	4.2	981 of 1003	2.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2008	20.6	865 of 996	13.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	12.7	905 of 985	8.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2006	3.5	939 of 961	2.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2005	21.4	841 of 959	12.3%	★☆☆☆☆

By subject vs Indiana (2025-2026) ?

Science15%

English Language Arts15%

Math14%

Social Studies9%-38 vs state

★

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Schools Near Merle J Abbett 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 Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				ILEARN English Language Arts (2026)							ILEARN Math (2026)							ILEARN Science (2026)			ILEARN Social Studies (2026)	ILEARN Biology (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
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/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	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 7th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 8th 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 7th Grade	ILEARN Math 8th Grade	ILEARN Math All Grades	ILEARN Science 4th Grade	ILEARN Science 6th Grade	ILEARN Science All Grades	ILEARN Social Studies 5th Grade	ILEARN Biology End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Merle J Abbett Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4325 Smith St	Fort Wayne	46806	Allen County	Fort Wayne Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 467-5800	467	39	11.9	72.6%	18 (3.9%)	143 (30.6%)	213 (45.6%)	54 (11.6%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (7.7%)	8.2	956^th of 1015 public elementary schools	5.8%		6.2	974^th of 1005 public elementary schools	3.1%	18	14.3	18.3	12.1				15.0	11.7	21.1	9.1				14.0	15.5		15.5	9.1		$13,567	$2,910	$10,656
Levan R Scott Academy	Public	PK, KG-5	950 E Fairfax Ave	Fort Wayne	46806	Allen County	Fort Wayne Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 467-8050	419	35	12.0	75.4%	22 (5.3%)	126 (30.1%)	113 (27.0%)	134 (32.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (5.5%)	12.3	896^th of 1015 public elementary schools	11.7%		7.7	958^th of 1005 public elementary schools	4.7%	62	14.1	14.1	19.1				15.8	21.9	17.2	27.9				22.5	12.5		12.5	17.7		$13,935	$2,710	$11,225
John S Irwin Elementary School	Public, Magnet	K-5	3501 S Anthony Blvd	Fort Wayne	46806	Allen County	Fort Wayne Community Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(260) 467-5310	302	21	14.3	62.9%	79 (26.2%)	147 (48.7%)	35 (11.6%)	13 (4.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (9.3%)	54.5	467^th of 1015 public elementary schools	54.0%		66.8	322^nd of 1005 public elementary schools	68.0%	145	34.8	54.0	47.9				45.8	32.6	56.0	33.3				41.0	38.0		38.0	54.2		$14,267	$2,909	$11,358
Weisser Park Elementary School	Public, Magnet	1-5	902 Colerick St	Fort Wayne	46806	Allen County	Fort Wayne Community Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(260) 467-8875	632	48	13.1	64.1%	210 (33.2%)	229 (36.2%)	128 (20.3%)	8 (1.3%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.2%)	54 (8.5%)	45.2	568^th of 1015 public elementary schools	44.0%		53.3	472^nd of 1005 public elementary schools	53.0%	96	37.3	28.8	46.5				37.7	40.5	42.4	44.1				42.3	28.0		28.0	47.2		$12,811	$2,015	$10,796
Timothy L Johnson Academy	Public, Charter	K-5	4625 Werling Dr	Fort Wayne	46806	Allen County	Timothy L Johnson Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(260) 441-8727	440	22	20.0	82.7%	2 (0.5%)	96 (21.8%)	25 (5.7%)	305 (69.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (2.7%)	10.4	933^rd of 1015 public elementary schools	8.1%		12.2	890^th of 1005 public elementary schools	11.4%	43	24.1	5.0	17.5				15.6	20.7	16.3	15.8				17.9	10.0		10.0	19.3		$13,073	$2,582	$10,491
Whitney M Young Early Childhood	Public, Magnet	PK-K	1026 E Pontiac St	Fort Wayne	46803	Allen County	Fort Wayne Community Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(260) 467-8950	218	19	11.4	45.9%	69 (31.7%)	67 (30.7%)	58 (26.6%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (10.6%)								(n/a)																				$18,972	$6,050	$12,921
Harrison Hill Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	355 S Cornell Cir	Fort Wayne	46807	Allen County	Fort Wayne Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 467-7000	612	48	12.7	70.9%	92 (15.0%)	168 (27.5%)	219 (35.8%)	93 (15.2%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	38 (6.2%)	27.3	749^th of 1015 public elementary schools	26.2%		24.3	781^st of 1005 public elementary schools	22.3%	32	32.5	29.8	25.0				29.0	49.4	37.2	17.1				34.0	25.5		25.5	22.7		$11,810	$2,329	$9,481
Jeff H Towles Intermediate School	Public	1-8	420 E Paulding Rd	Fort Wayne	46815	Allen County	Fort Wayne Community Schools	No	No	No	No	(260) 467-4300	600	46	13.0	60.0%	241 (40.2%)	164 (27.3%)	119 (19.8%)	9 (1.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	66 (11.0%)	44.1	583^rd of 1015 public elementary schools	42.6%		50.2	513^th of 1005 public elementary schools	49.0%	70	34.7	36.5	40.0	28.6	32.9	24.0	32.7	51.4	40.5	38.6	24.7	40.8	20.0	35.8	35.1	39.0	37.1	42.9		$19,715	$7,031	$12,685
Bunche Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK-K	1111 Greene St	Fort Wayne	46803	Allen County	Fort Wayne Community Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(260) 467-4790	234	18	13.3	44.0%	93 (39.7%)	62 (26.5%)	38 (16.2%)	4 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (15.8%)								(n/a)																				$13,355	$1,663	$11,692
Fairfield Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2825 Fairfield Ave	Fort Wayne	46807	Allen County	Fort Wayne Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 467-5900	481	40	12.0	69.6%	62 (12.9%)	109 (22.7%)	237 (49.3%)	18 (3.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	55 (11.4%)	11.9	903^rd of 1015 public elementary schools	11.0%		10.6	913^th of 1005 public elementary schools	9.2%	10	23.6	17.2	16.2				19.5	21.4	19.0	12.2				17.7	19.0		19.0	14.9		$12,168	$2,062	$10,105

Frequently Asked Questions about Merle J Abbett Elementary School

How many students attend Merle J Abbett Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 467 students attended Merle J Abbett Elementary School.

What district is Merle J Abbett Elementary School in?

Fort Wayne Community Schools

What schools do graduates of Merle J Abbett Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Merle J Abbett Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Lane Middle School
High : South Side High School

What is the racial makeup of Merle J Abbett Elementary School?

Students at Merle J Abbett Elementary School are 46% Hispanic, 31% African American, 12% Asian, 8% Two or more races, 4% White.

Is Merle J Abbett Elementary School a good school?

Merle J Abbett Elementary School ranks in the bottom 5.8% of Indiana elementary schools.

Rate Merle J Abbett Elementary School!

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Latest Indiana data All new data »

2025–26 ILEARN & SAT test scoresNewSep 25, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 5, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataSep 4, 2025

2022–23 through 2023–24 school spending dataJul 16, 2025

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.