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
Enrollment
542
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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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 15 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: 4.1/10.
How Lancaster Central School Compares
See how Lancaster Central School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 52.57% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 38.97% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (260) 565-3135
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Norwell Community Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,439
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,198
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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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