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Southern Wells Elementary School

Q: Is Southern Wells Elementary School a good school?

Southern Wells Elementary School ranks 641 st of 1005 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-6

641^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,005 Indiana Elementary Schools

Better than 36% of Indiana elementary schools

Summary

Southern Wells Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Poneto, Indiana, serving 499 students in grades K-6. The school is part of the Southern Wells Community Schools district, which is ranked 133 out of 380 districts in the state and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While the school has some areas of concern, such as relatively high chronic absenteeism rates ranging from 8.3% to 19.2%, its academic performance is an area that requires attention. Southern Wells Elementary School's English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency rates consistently fall below the state average, ranging from 30.5% to 37.1% for all grades. Similarly, the school's mathematics proficiency rates, while slightly better than ELA, still range from 36.88% to 44.52%, which is below the state average. Interestingly, nearby schools like South Adams Elementary School consistently outperform Southern Wells Elementary in academic proficiency across all subjects and grade levels.

Another factor to consider is the school's high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 39.25% to 54.91% in recent years, suggesting a higher proportion of economically disadvantaged students compared to the state. Additionally, the school's spending per student has decreased from $9,743 in 2021-2022 to $8,914 in 2023-2024, which is lower than the state average. The school and district may need to explore ways to address these challenges and provide the necessary resources and support to improve student outcomes.

496

Students ?

17.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$8,914

Per pupil spending ?

44.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

9120 S 300 W
Poneto, IN 46781

(765) 728-2121

District: Southern Wells Com Schools

Students who attend Southern Wells Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Southern Wells Junior-Senior High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

95.0%

Hispanic:

4.0%

Two or more races:

0.8%

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At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 39th percentile in 2015 → 36th in 2025

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Indiana average (33% vs 38% meeting standards)

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school33%

District avg34%

Indiana avg38%

641^st of 1,005

Indiana public elementary schools ?

Bottom 36%▼ down 3 pts since 2015

See the entire ranking list of Indiana Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

133^rd of 380Southern Wells Com 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
2025	37.8	641 of 1005	36.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	51.6	507 of 1011	49.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	56.5	470 of 1016	53.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	61.6	398 of 1020	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	62.7	375 of 1016	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	66.7	341 of 1031	66.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	54.9	525 of 1027	48.9%	★★☆☆☆
2017	43.1	657 of 1033	36.4%	★★☆☆☆
2016	47.7	644 of 1046	38.4%	★★☆☆☆
2015	46.8	636 of 1040	38.8%	★★☆☆☆
2014	53.3	570 of 1036	45.0%	★★☆☆☆
2013	74.3	227 of 1035	78.1%	★★★★☆
2012	78.7	165 of 1015	83.7%	★★★★☆
2011	72.9	243 of 1025	76.3%	★★★★☆
2010	74.0	238 of 1009	76.4%	★★★★☆
2009	70.8	286 of 1003	71.5%	★★★★☆
2008	71.9	242 of 996	75.7%	★★★★☆
2007	61.7	399 of 985	59.5%	★★★☆☆
2006	63.5	358 of 961	62.7%	★★★☆☆
2005	65.9	315 of 959	67.2%	★★★☆☆
2004	63.3	119 of 326	63.5%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Indiana (2024-2025) ?

Math37%

Social Studies32%-7 vs state

Science31%

English Language Arts30%

★

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Schools Near Southern Wells 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 (2025)				Ranking (2024)				ILEARN English Language Arts (2025)					ILEARN Math (2025)					ILEARN Science (2025)			ILEARN Social Studies (2025)	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	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	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	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Southern Wells Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	9120 S 300 W	Poneto	46781	Wells County	Southern Wells Com Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(765) 728-2121	496	28	17.7	44.6%	471 (95.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (4.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.8%)	37.8	641^st of 1005 public elementary schools	36.2%		51.6	507^th of 1011 public elementary schools	49.9%	134	33.9	26.3	32.9	29.6	30.5	47.5	30.3	36.8	35.2	36.9	29.0	32.4	30.6	31.6	$8,914	$262	$8,652
Salamonie Elementary School	Public	K-5	1063 E 900 S	Warren	46792	Huntington County	Huntington County Com School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 468-3093	273	22	12.6	46.9%	254 (93.0%)	2 (0.7%)	13 (4.8%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.7%)	61	385^th of 1005 public elementary schools	61.7%		70.5	291^st of 1011 public elementary schools	71.2%	94	45.8	27.7	45.6		40.5	67.8	40.4	61.4		57.7	32.6		32.6	42.1	$10,970	$538	$10,432
Bluffton-Harrison Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	1100 E Spring St	Bluffton	46714	Wells County	MSD Bluffton-Harrison	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 824-0333	750	51	14.8	58.0%	605 (80.7%)	22 (2.9%)	83 (11.1%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	38 (5.1%)	40	623^rd of 1005 public elementary schools	38.0%		46.9	560^th of 1011 public elementary schools	44.6%	63	32.8	33.3			33.1	48.5	34.5			41.2	37.7		37.7		$9,429	$697	$8,732
Blackford Intermediate School	Public	PK, KG-6	400 E McDonald	Hartford City	47348	Blackford County	Blackford County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(765) 348-7595	447	28	15.9	70.2%	395 (88.4%)	5 (1.1%)	16 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	30 (6.7%)	44.6	575^th of 1005 public elementary schools	42.8%		48	547^th of 1011 public elementary schools	45.9%	28	29.8	28.6	34.1	36.1	32.1	50.4	52.4	25.9	32.8	41.4	35.2	39.5	37.5	34.1	$11,658	$1,640	$10,018
Eastbrook North Elementary	Public	K-5	504 S First St	Van Buren	46991	Grant County	Eastbrook Community School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(765) 934-3551	304	20	15.2	55.9%	278 (91.4%)	2 (0.7%)	11 (3.6%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (3.9%)	59.8	405^th of 1005 public elementary schools	59.7%		48	548^th of 1011 public elementary schools	45.8%	143	45.5	48.9	37.0		43.8	61.4	55.3	47.8		54.7	38.3		38.3	28.3	$11,254	$817	$10,438
Blackford Primary School	Public	PK, KG-2	1515 S Monroe St	Hartford City	47348	Blackford County	Blackford County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(765) 348-7584	314	23	13.9	66.6%	273 (86.9%)	1 (0.3%)	22 (7.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (5.7%)								(n/a)															$12,100	$1,557	$10,542
Lancaster Central School	Public	PK, KG-5	3240 E 300 N	Bluffton	46714	Wells County	Norwell Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 565-3135	533	36	14.7	40.7%	459 (86.1%)	7 (1.3%)	42 (7.9%)	7 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (3.4%)	60.5	395^th of 1005 public elementary schools	60.7%		72	271^st of 1011 public elementary schools	73.2%	124	29.8	45.0	40.9		39.0	53.6	56.0	47.7		52.6	52.0		52.0	37.5	$10,727	$930	$9,797
Eastbrook South Elementary	Public	K-5	694 S Second St	Upland	46989	Grant County	Eastbrook Community School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(765) 998-2208	336	22	15.3	43.8%	303 (90.2%)	6 (1.8%)	10 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.9%)	1 (0.3%)	13 (3.9%)	57.2	434^th of 1005 public elementary schools	56.8%		66.6	335^th of 1011 public elementary schools	66.9%	99	46.7	36.4	43.1		41.8	51.1	45.5	47.7		47.9	40.0		40.0	38.5	$10,904	$768	$10,136
West Jay Elementary	Public	K-6	140 Highland Ave	Dunkirk	47336	Jay County	Jay School Corporation	No	No	No	Yes	(765) 768-6075	214	19	11.0	72.4%	198 (92.5%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.8%)	2 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (3.7%)	63.1	363^rd of 1005 public elementary schools	63.9%		62.5	386^th of 1011 public elementary schools	61.8%	23	26.9	52.0	46.4	40.6	41.4	34.6	68.0	32.1	53.1	46.9	48.0	53.1	50.9	46.4	$12,987	$1,522	$11,465
South Adams Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1012 Starfire Way	Berne	46711	Adams County	South Adams Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 589-1101	671	48	14.1	49.3%	583 (86.9%)	3 (0.4%)	63 (9.4%)	8 (1.2%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (1.9%)	64.8	340^th of 1005 public elementary schools	66.2%		66.3	342^nd of 1011 public elementary schools	66.2%	2	49.0	41.5	36.5		42.2	62.2	58.1	57.7		59.3	41.5		41.5	38.5	$11,729	$2,227	$9,502

Frequently Asked Questions about Southern Wells Elementary School

Is Southern Wells Elementary School a good school?

Southern Wells Elementary School ranks 641^st of 1005 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Southern Wells Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 496 students attended Southern Wells Elementary School.

What district is Southern Wells Elementary School in?

Southern Wells Com Schools

What schools do graduates of Southern Wells Elementary School attend?

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

High : Southern Wells Junior-Senior High School

What is the racial makeup of Southern Wells Elementary School?

Students at Southern Wells Elementary School are 95% White, 4% Hispanic.

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Schools in Poneto, IN

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Latest Indiana data All new data »

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 5, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataSep 4, 2025

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

2024–25 ILEARN & SAT test scoresJul 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.