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Excellent

#338 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 19% in state

Central Elementary School

Elementary School · South Putnam Community Schools

1888 E US Hwy 40, Greencastle, IN 46135

Enrollment

349

Student-Teacher

13.4:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#338 of 1,823

In Greencastle

#1 of 8

public schools

In district

#2 of 4

South Putnam Community Schools

School environment

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Central Elementary School

8.0/10

Elementary School in Greencastle · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

South Putnam High School

6.4/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

South Putnam Middle School

7.9/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Central Elementary School

Central Elementary School is a public elementary school in Greencastle, IN, part of South Putnam Community Schools. Central Elementary School serves approximately 349 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #338 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for Central Elementary School show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 8.0 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.7
  • IN avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Central Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.72 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.3% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg-5.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.8 pts
Overall Proficiency44% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected+4.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
Resources & Environment9.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,141
Chronic Absenteeism7.4%

Central Elementary School — Students at Central Elementary School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 61.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
46.1% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 58.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 37 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
85%
ELA
78%
2014
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
47%
2025
Math
46.6%
ELA
42.3%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.9/10.

How Central Elementary School Compares

See how Central Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.0/10
82th percentile in IN
Academic
7.3/10
Very Good
Growth
7.9/10
Very Good
Environment
9.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
7.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1888 E US Hwy 40, Greencastle, IN 46135

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fillmore Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Fillmore), which scores notably higher. Another option is Van Buren Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Brazil), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Mill Creek West Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Amo), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Greencastle, see our Greencastle schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.6 mi
School Distance Rating
South Putnam High School Greencastle 0.2 mi 6.4
South Putnam Middle School Greencastle 0.2 mi 7.9
Greencastle Middle School Greencastle 4.3 mi 6.4
Greencastle High School Greencastle 4.5 mi 7.1
Martha J Ridpath Elementary School Greencastle 4.5 mi 7.1
Cloverdale Elementary School Cloverdale 5.0 mi 6.9
Cloverdale High School Cloverdale 5.0 mi 7.4
Deer Meadow Primary School Greencastle 4.9 mi 6.7
Cloverdale Middle School Cloverdale 5.0 mi 5.8
Cloverdale Distance Learning Academy Cloverdale 5.2 mi 7.1
Tzouanakis Intermediate School Greencastle 5.3 mi 6.7
Fillmore Elementary School Fillmore 6.7 mi 9.3
GOOD NEWS ACADEMY Reelsville 7.8 mi
Bainbridge Elementary School Bainbridge 12.0 mi 6.8
Eminence Jr-Sr High School Eminence 9.9 mi 6.4
Eminence Elementary School Eminence 9.9 mi 5.7
North Putnam Sr High School Roachdale 14.3 mi 7.1
North Putnam Middle School Roachdale 14.4 mi 6.4
Mill Creek West Elementary Amo 13.0 mi 7.7
Van Buren Elementary School Brazil 13.6 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46135 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,847

Median Home Value

$200,900

Median Rent

$902/mo

Population

19,639

College Educated

21.6%

Homeownership

63.2%

Avg Commute

20.7 min

Poverty Rate

7%

Median Age

36.4

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Central Elementary School Lebanon, IN 8.0
Green Valley Elementary School New Albany, IN 8.0
Harrison Elementary School Warsaw, IN 8.0
Jackson Township Elementary School Brazil, IN 8.0
Lakeland Primary School Lagrange, IN 8.0
Meridian Street Elementary School Brazil, IN 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Elementary School

What grades does Central Elementary School serve?

Central Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Central Elementary School?

Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 349 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Elementary School rank in IN?

Central Elementary School ranks #338 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Central Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Elementary School has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Central Elementary School a charter school?

No, Central Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Central Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Central Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elementary School?

51.6% of students at Central Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
349
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
51.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Putnam County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
7.4%

District

South Putnam Community Schools
District Enrollment
1,105
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,141
District Rank
#2 of 4

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