Below Average
#1629 of 1,823 schools in IN
L F Smith Elementary
Elementary School · Bartholomew Con School Corp
4505 Waycross Dr, Columbus, IN 47203
Enrollment
431
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
431
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbus
#14 of 15
public schools
Indiana elementary schools
#928 of 1,047
In district
#15 of 16
Bartholomew Con School Corp
About L F Smith Elementary
L F Smith Elementary is a regular public school in Columbus, Indiana, serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 431 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1, the school benefits from smaller class sizes that allow teachers to provide individualized attention. The campus is home to 28 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to nurturing young minds.
While L F Smith Elementary has room for improvement academically, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and a state ranking in the lower tier at #1601 out of 1831 schools, it continues to focus on student development and growth. Test scores show that 30% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 29% in Math, and no percentage proficient or above in Science. Despite these challenges, the school remains committed to enhancing its academic offerings.
Situated in a small city setting, L F Smith Elementary is part of a tight-knit community where parents and educators work together to support students' educational needs and personal growth.
Score Breakdown
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L F Smith Elementary — Students at L F Smith Elementary score 33% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62.4%
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: 2.9/10.
How L F Smith Elementary Compares
See how L F Smith Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 31.62% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 34.62% (2025).
Location
4505 Waycross Dr, Columbus, IN 47203
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering L F Smith Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST BARTHOLOMEW SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CSA Lincoln Campus (rated 7.4/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rockcreek Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 5.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbus, see our Columbus schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Clifty Creek Elementary School Columbus | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| W D Richards Elementary School Columbus | 1.0 mi | 4.8 |
| NORTH STAR MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbus | 1.2 mi | — |
| COLUMBUS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Columbus | 1.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Columbus East High School Columbus | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| CSA Fodrea Campus Columbus | 2.1 mi | 5.3 |
| KINDER CARE LEARNING CENTER #300570 Columbus | 2.2 mi | — |
| Columbus North High School Columbus | 2.1 mi | 8.4 |
| Northside Middle School Columbus | 2.2 mi | 5.2 |
| ST BARTHOLOMEW SCHOOL Columbus | 2.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Lillian Schmitt Elementary School Columbus | 2.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Parkside Elementary School Columbus | 2.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Richard L Johnson Early Educ Cntr Columbus | 2.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Central Middle School Columbus | 2.6 mi | 5.8 |
| CSA Lincoln Campus Columbus | 2.7 mi | 7.4 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN EARLY CHILDHOOD MINISTRY Columbus | 3.3 mi | — |
| ST PETER'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Columbus | 2.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Southside Elementary School Columbus | 4.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Rockcreek Elementary School Columbus | 5.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Taylorsville Elementary School Taylorsville | 6.8 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 47203 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$73,595
Median Home Value
$234,300
Median Rent
$963/mo
Population
25,106
College Educated
38.7%
Homeownership
78.2%
Avg Commute
19.6 min
Poverty Rate
10.5%
Median Age
40.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding L F Smith Elementary has a median household income of $73,595. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $234,300, with a median rent of $963/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.5%. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Arlington Elementary School Indianapolis, IN | 4.4 |
| Bainbridge Elementary School Bainbridge, IN | 4.4 |
| Early Learning Center-George Earle Hobart, IN | 4.4 |
| Edgar L Miller Elementary School Merrillville, IN | 4.4 |
| George Washington Carver School 87 Indianapolis, IN | 4.4 |
| Homecroft Elementary School Indianapolis, IN | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about L F Smith Elementary
What grades does L F Smith Elementary serve?
L F Smith Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend L F Smith Elementary?
L F Smith Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 431 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at L F Smith Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at L F Smith Elementary is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does L F Smith Elementary rank in IN?
L F Smith Elementary is ranked #1629 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is L F Smith Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
L F Smith Elementary has a composite rating of 4.4 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 L F Smith Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, L F Smith Elementary has 34.4% math proficiency and 37.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is L F Smith Elementary a charter school?
No, L F Smith Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is L F Smith Elementary a Title I school?
No, L F Smith Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for L F Smith Elementary?
62.4% of students at L F Smith Elementary 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
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Low (98/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbus). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 431
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 62.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Bartholomew County
- Phone
- (812) 376-4317
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bartholomew Con School Corp- District Enrollment
- 11,654
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,277
- District Rank
- #15 of 16
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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