Summary:
ZIP code 40272 has eight schools serving elementary through high school: six elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. In 2025–2026, the elementary schools’ average proficiency results were below matched state rates in every subject, by about 16 points in math, 19 in reading and 24 in science. The most important finding is that the area’s results are broadly below state levels, although performance varies considerably by school, grade and subject.
Medora Elementary is the clearest elementary standout: its 54% grade-5 math proficiency was 11 points above the state rate and 26 points higher than the next-highest school result, and it also led in grade-3 and grade-4 math. But Medora was not strongest in every area: its grade-4 reading and science results were 22% and 15%, respectively, versus state rates of 50% and 40%. Other subject leaders include Dixie Elementary in grade-3 reading, at 48%—just 1 point below the state rate—and Layne Elementary in grade-4 reading, at 38%. SchoolDigger’s 2025–2026 rankings placed Medora highest among these elementary schools, at the 29th statewide percentile, and Wilkerson Elementary School lowest, at the 3rd percentile.
Recent changes were mixed: across 50 matched elementary results, school scores fell by 22 points in total while corresponding state rates rose by 22, widening the average gap by about 1 point per result. Dixie’s matched results rose by 22 points across seven results, while Wilkerson’s fell by 18 across seven. The secondary schools also warrant attention to attendance: chronic absenteeism was 48% at Stuart Middle School and 57% at Valley High, compared with 24% statewide. For context, the elementary schools’ 2024–2025 free/reduced lunch eligible rates averaged 72%, ranging from 59% at Medora to 79% at Layne; elementary student-teacher ratios ranged from 14.1:1 at Dixie to 20.3:1 at Layne.
Thank you for your feedback!