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Average

#1439 of 1,823 schools in IN

Lancaster Central School

Elementary School · Norwell Community Schools

3240 E 300 N, Bluffton, IN 46714

Enrollment

542

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

5.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bluffton

#4 of 4

public schools

Indiana elementary schools

#829 of 1,047

In district

#4 of 4

Norwell Community Schools

About Lancaster Central School

Lancaster Central School serves 542 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Bluffton, Indiana, with a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1 across 35 full-time equivalent teachers. This elementary school has earned strong recognition, ranking #322 out of 1,831 Indiana schools and placing in the 82nd percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10. Academically, Lancaster Central demonstrates solid performance with an 8.4 out of 10 academic score.

In mathematics, 58% of students across all grade levels score proficient or above, reflecting the school's commitment to building strong foundational skills in young learners. The school's consistent academic achievement places it well above average among Indiana elementary schools. The school draws from a stable community in Wells County, where the median household income reaches $66,588 and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 6.7%.

With a median home value of $152,300, the area represents an affordable community of 15,367 residents. While 19% of local adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the community clearly values educational achievement as evidenced by the school's strong performance. Lancaster Central School provides elementary education in a rural setting near the town of Bluffton, offering young students a close-knit learning environment with access to both pastoral surroundings and community resources.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Lancaster Central School 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 Progress4.1Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-2.15 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency39%
Math vs. State Avg+1.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.2 pts
Overall Proficiency46%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected-2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,685

Lancaster Central School — Students at Lancaster Central School score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 54.8%
School
State
46.1%
ELA Proficiency 42.9%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 15 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
62%
ELA
56%
2021*
Math
54%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
58%
2025
Math
52.5%
ELA
38.7%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How Lancaster Central School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
21th percentile in IN
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
4.1/10
Below average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers

Location

3240 E 300 N, Bluffton, IN 46714

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lancaster Central School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ossian Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Ossian), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JOSEPH HESSEN CASSEL (rated 6.5/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Fort Wayne), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Ossian), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bluffton, see our Bluffton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.9 mi
School Distance Rating
KINGDOM ACADEMY OF BLUFFTON INC Bluffton 3.2 mi 6.4
WESLEYAN HERITAGE ACADEMY Bluffton 3.6 mi
Norwell High School Ossian 3.6 mi 5.7
Norwell Middle School Ossian 3.6 mi 8.0
Bluffton-Harrison Elementary Sch Bluffton 4.2 mi 5.3
Bluffton High School Bluffton 4.4 mi 6.0
Bluffton-Harrison Middle School Bluffton 4.5 mi 6.2
BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN SCHOOL Ossian 5.5 mi 6.1
Ossian Elementary Ossian 6.2 mi 7.6
SPRING MEADOW SCHOOL Bluffton 8.8 mi 3.0
WHISPERING BROOK SCHOOL Berne 10.1 mi 3.9
COTTONWOOD LANE SCHOOL Berne 10.6 mi 2.6
WINCHESTER SCHOOL Monroe 10.5 mi 3.7
CLEARVIEW AMISH SCHOOL Berne 11.5 mi 3.0
ST JOSEPH HESSEN CASSEL Fort Wayne 13.8 mi 6.5
ROANOKE BAPTIST SCHOOL Roanoke 13.5 mi 5.9
Wayne High School Fort Wayne 14.7 mi 6.4
HARTFORD VALLEY SCHOOL Geneva 13.6 mi
Southern Wells Elementary School Poneto 13.9 mi 3.8
Southern Wells Jr-Sr High School Poneto 13.9 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46714 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,468

Median Home Value

$164,500

Median Rent

$817/mo

Population

15,257

College Educated

18.3%

Homeownership

70.9%

Avg Commute

18.8 min

Poverty Rate

7.8%

Median Age

40.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lancaster Central School has a median household income of $63,468. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $164,500, with a median rent of $817/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Adelaide De Vaney Elementary Sch Terre Haute, IN 5.1
Brownstown Elementary School Brownstown, IN 5.1
Central Elementary School Beech Grove, IN 5.1
Glen Park Acad for Excel in Lrn Gary, IN 5.1
Indian Creek Elementary School Trafalgar, IN 5.1
Oak Hill Elementary School Lowell, IN 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lancaster Central School

What grades does Lancaster Central School serve?

Lancaster Central School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Lancaster Central School?

Lancaster Central School has an enrollment of approximately 542 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Lancaster Central School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lancaster Central School rank in IN?

Lancaster Central School is ranked #1439 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Lancaster Central School's MySchoolScout rating?

Lancaster Central School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Lancaster Central School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lancaster Central School has 54.8% math proficiency and 42.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lancaster Central School a charter school?

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

Is Lancaster Central School a Title I school?

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

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

36.9% of students at Lancaster Central 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

City Safety
Elevated (913/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bluffton). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
542
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Wells County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Norwell Community Schools
District Enrollment
2,439
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,198
District Rank
#4 of 4

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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