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Very Good

#397 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 22% in state

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

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#397 of 1,823

In district

#5 of 6

North Spencer County Sch Corp

Equity

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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David Turnham Education Center

7.8/10

Elementary School in Dale · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Heritage Hills Middle School

8.0/10

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

Heritage Hills High School

8.1/10

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

About David Turnham Education Center

David Turnham Education Center is a public elementary school in Dale, IN, part of North Spencer County Sch Corp. David Turnham Education Center serves approximately 299 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 16.6:1 student-teacher ratio. David Turnham Education Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #397 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for David Turnham Education Center show 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.8 · Very Good
  • District avg 8.0
  • IN avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

David Turnham Education Center 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 Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.39 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency51.8% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg+4.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.6 pts
Overall Proficiency54% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected+14.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,379
Chronic Absenteeism11.4%

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 73.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.9% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 69.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.7% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 40 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
87%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
97.5%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2018
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2020*
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: 8.6/10.

How David Turnham Education Center Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
78th percentile in IN
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
8.6/10
Excellent
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
11.4%

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

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. Ferdinand Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Ferdinand), which scores notably higher. Another option is Holland Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Holland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ireland Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 17.0 miles away, in nearby Ireland), 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 8.0
Heritage Hills High School Lincoln City 3.3 mi 8.1
Nancy Hanks Elementary School Ferdinand 5.3 mi 8.2
Holland Elementary School Holland 6.3 mi 9.0
Southridge Middle School Huntingburg 7.5 mi 8.0
Huntingburg Elementary School Huntingburg 7.5 mi 4.1
Southridge High School Huntingburg 7.5 mi 7.3
Lincoln Trail Elementary School Lamar 7.1 mi 8.3
Ferdinand Elementary School Ferdinand 7.7 mi 9.1
Forest Park Jr-Sr High School Ferdinand 8.0 mi 7.6
Chrisney Elementary School Chrisney 10.7 mi 7.5
Tennyson Elementary School Tennyson 9.4 mi 6.9
Cedar Crest Intermediate School Huntingburg 11.6 mi 7.4
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 7.2
Ireland Elementary School Ireland 17.0 mi 8.8
Hancock County Alternative Program Hawesville 17.4 mi
Jasper Middle School Jasper 17.9 mi 7.8
Pine Ridge Elementary School Birdseye 15.5 mi 7.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CALVARY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Indianapolis, IN 7.8
Central Noble Primary School Wolf Lake, IN 7.8
HOLY NAME CATHOLIC SCHOOL Beech Grove, IN 7.8
Hatfield Elementary School Mitchell, IN 7.8
Haubstadt Community School Haubstadt, IN 7.8
Lawrence County Independent Schools Bedford, IN 7.8

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 ranks #397 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is David Turnham Education Center's MySchoolScout rating?

David Turnham Education Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 David Turnham Education Center?

Based on loaded state assessment records, David Turnham Education Center has 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
30 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
11.4%

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