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
Enrollment
299
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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David Turnham Education Center — Students at David Turnham Education Center score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 18 test records from IN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 56.02% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 51.81% (2025).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (812) 937-4300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
North Spencer County Sch Corp- District Enrollment
- 2,116
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $9,379
- District Rank
- #5 of 6
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 methodologyRelated reading
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