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Average

#1322 of 1,823 schools in IN

David Turnham Education Center

Elementary School · North Spencer County Sch Corp

PO Box 432, Dale, IN 47523

Enrollment

299

Student-Teacher

16.6:1

Score

5.4

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana elementary schools

#778 of 1,047

In district

#5 of 6

North Spencer County Sch Corp

Equity

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About David Turnham Education Center

David Turnham Education Center serves 299 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in Dale, Indiana. This elementary school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #211 out of 1,831 schools statewide, placing it in the 88th percentile among Indiana elementary schools. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 16.6:1 with 18 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment that supports individualized attention.

Academic achievement is particularly notable, with an impressive 9.2 out of 10 academic score and 67% of students scoring proficient or above in mathematics across all grade levels. David Turnham Education Center serves families in the 47523 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $67,661 and median home value is $117,200. The community of 3,301 residents has a poverty rate of 7.7%, and 21% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a stable working-class community that values education.

As a regular public school, David Turnham Education Center provides comprehensive elementary education in Spencer County's rural setting, offering students a solid academic foundation in a close-knit community environment where teachers can focus on each child's individual growth and development.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, David Turnham Education Center may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.8Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-2.32 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56%
Reading/ELA Proficiency51.8%
Math vs. State Avg+4.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.6 pts
Overall Proficiency54%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+15.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,253

David Turnham Education Center — Students at David Turnham Education Center score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 61.2%
School
State
44.9%
ELA Proficiency 54.5%
School
State
40.7%

Based on 18 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
67%
2025
Math
55.7%
ELA
51.5%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How David Turnham Education Center Compares

See how David Turnham Education Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
28th percentile in IN
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
3.8/10
Below average
Environment
4.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

PO Box 432, Dale, IN 47523

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering David Turnham Education Center may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Nancy Hanks Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Ferdinand), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ireland Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 17.0 miles away, in nearby Ireland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pine Ridge Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Birdseye), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dale, see our Dale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Heritage Hills Middle School Lincoln City 3.2 mi 7.9
Heritage Hills High School Lincoln City 3.3 mi 5.6
Nancy Hanks Elementary School Ferdinand 5.3 mi 7.9
Holland Elementary School Holland 6.3 mi 6.6
Southridge Middle School Huntingburg 7.5 mi 6.6
Huntingburg Elementary School Huntingburg 7.5 mi 5.8
Southridge High School Huntingburg 7.5 mi 7.5
Lincoln Trail Elementary School Lamar 7.1 mi 4.9
Ferdinand Elementary School Ferdinand 7.7 mi 5.9
Forest Park Jr-Sr High School Ferdinand 8.0 mi 5.9
Chrisney Elementary School Chrisney 10.7 mi 5.6
Tennyson Elementary School Tennyson 9.4 mi 6.2
Cedar Crest Intermediate School Huntingburg 11.6 mi 6.2
HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Jasper 14.8 mi 6.3
HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL/DIOCESE Jasper 15.7 mi 6.7
Jasper High School Jasper 16.3 mi 5.3
Ireland Elementary School Ireland 17.0 mi 7.4
Hancock County Alternative Program Hawesville 17.4 mi
Jasper Middle School Jasper 17.9 mi 7.3
Pine Ridge Elementary School Birdseye 15.5 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 47523 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,000

Median Home Value

$121,500

Median Rent

$781/mo

Population

3,518

College Educated

21.5%

Homeownership

80.2%

Avg Commute

34.5 min

Poverty Rate

6.4%

Median Age

37.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding David Turnham Education Center has a median household income of $65,000. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $121,500, with a median rent of $781/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Banneker Elementary at Marquette Gary, IN 5.4
Coolspring Elementary School Michigan City, IN 5.4
Ernie Pyle School 90 Indianapolis, IN 5.4
Hawthorne Elementary School Indianapolis, IN 5.4
New Washington Elementary School New Washington, IN 5.4
Southwestern Elementary School Shelbyville, IN 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about David Turnham Education Center

What grades does David Turnham Education Center serve?

David Turnham Education Center serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend David Turnham Education Center?

David Turnham Education Center has an enrollment of approximately 299 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at David Turnham Education Center?

The student-teacher ratio at David Turnham Education Center is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does David Turnham Education Center rank in IN?

David Turnham Education Center is ranked #1322 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is David Turnham Education Center's MySchoolScout rating?

David Turnham Education Center has a composite rating of 5.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at David Turnham Education Center?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, David Turnham Education Center has 61.2% math proficiency and 54.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is David Turnham Education Center a charter school?

No, David Turnham Education Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is David Turnham Education Center a Title I school?

No, David Turnham Education Center is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for David Turnham Education Center?

52.2% of students at David Turnham Education Center 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
299
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Spencer County
Data Year
2023–2024

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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