Average
#888 of 1,823 schools in IN
Top 49% in state
Lancaster Central School
Elementary School · Norwell Community Schools
3240 E 300 N, Bluffton, IN 46714
Enrollment
542
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
542
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Indiana schools
#888 of 1,823
In Bluffton
#2 of 4
public schools
In district
#3 of 4
Norwell Community Schools
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Lancaster Central School
Elementary School in Bluffton · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Kingdom Academy of Bluffton Inc
3.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Wesleyan Heritage Academy
3.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Lancaster Central School
Lancaster Central School is a public elementary school in Bluffton, IN, part of Norwell Community Schools. Lancaster Central School serves approximately 542 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Lancaster Central School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #888 of 1,823 schools in IN.
Structured state assessment records for Lancaster Central School show 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.5 · Average
- District avg 6.8
- IN avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
Lancaster Central School 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Lancaster Central School — Students at Lancaster Central School score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 37 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: 6.3/10.
How Lancaster Central School Compares
See how Lancaster Central School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 7.0/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Ossian), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ST JOSEPH HESSEN CASSEL (rated 6.5/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Fort Wayne), with a very similar rating. Additionally, BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Ossian), with a comparable rating. 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 | 6.5 |
| Norwell Middle School Ossian | 3.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Bluffton-Harrison Elementary Sch Bluffton | 4.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Bluffton High School Bluffton | 4.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Bluffton-Harrison Middle School Bluffton | 4.5 mi | 6.4 |
| BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN SCHOOL Ossian | 5.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Ossian Elementary Ossian | 6.2 mi | 7.0 |
| 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 | 4.6 |
| Southern Wells Jr-Sr High School Poneto | 13.9 mi | 6.9 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Converse Elementary School Converse, IN | 6.5 |
| Fox Hill Elementary School Indianapolis, IN | 6.5 |
| Grandview Elementary School Connersville, IN | 6.5 |
| Joy Elementary School Michigan City, IN | 6.5 |
| Kennedy Academy South Bend, IN | 6.5 |
| Lakeview Elementary School Bloomington, IN | 6.5 |
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 ranks #888 of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Lancaster Central School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lancaster Central School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Lancaster Central School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Lancaster Central School has 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 11.1%
- Phone
- (260) 565-3135
Resources & Links
District
Norwell Community Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,439
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,198
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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