Average
#856 of 1,823 schools in IN
Top 47% in state
Little Turtle Elementary School
Elementary School · Whitley County Con Schools
1710 S State Rd 9, Columbia City, IN 46725
Enrollment
597
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
597
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia City
#3 of 6
public schools
Indiana elementary schools
#534 of 1,047
In district
#3 of 6
Whitley County Con Schools
Academic growth
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Little Turtle Elementary School
Little Turtle Elementary School is a public elementary school located in the rural setting of Columbia City, Indiana. Situated at 1710 S State Rd 9, this school serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade and boasts an enrollment of 597 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1, ensuring a supportive learning environment for each child. The dedicated staff includes 39 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to provide a nurturing atmosphere for young learners.
Academically, Little Turtle Elementary School is ranked #1552 out of 1831 schools in Indiana, placing it in the 15th percentile based on MySchoolScout's rating system. The school’s academic score stands at 4.7 out of 10, with proficiency rates in reading and math at 24% and 33%, respectively. Science proficiency currently shows no students meeting or exceeding standards, indicating areas where the school can focus on improvement to support student development.
Little Turtle Elementary School is situated near a town in a rural area, fostering close-knit community ties between families and educators. The setting offers a peaceful environment conducive to learning and personal growth for its young students.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Little Turtle Elementary 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Little Turtle Elementary School — Students at Little Turtle Elementary School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.4%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.2/10.
How Little Turtle Elementary School Compares
See how Little Turtle Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 44.66% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 41% (2019) to 39.03% (2025).
Location
1710 S State Rd 9, Columbia City, IN 46725
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Little Turtle Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Arcola School (rated 8.7/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Arcola), which scores notably higher. Another option is South Whitley Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby South Whitley), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Roanoke Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Roanoke), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia City, see our Columbia City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Springs Middle School Columbia City | 0.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Columbia City High School Columbia City | 0.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Mary Raber Elementary School Columbia City | 1.7 mi | 4.7 |
| T.R.O.Y. CENTER Columbia City | 1.6 mi | 6.6 |
| FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Columbia City | 2.2 mi | — |
| Coesse School Columbia City | 4.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Northern Heights Elementary School Columbia City | 7.2 mi | 5.4 |
| CLEVELAND AMISH SCHOOL South Whitley | 6.3 mi | — |
| South Whitley Elementary School South Whitley | 8.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Whitko Jr/Sr High School South Whitley | 8.7 mi | 5.8 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Albion | 11.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Woodside Middle School Fort Wayne | 10.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Covington Elementary School Fort Wayne | 10.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Churubusco Jr-Sr High School Churubusco | 10.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Churubusco Elementary School Churubusco | 10.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Arcola School Arcola | 10.4 mi | 8.7 |
| Central Noble Primary School Wolf Lake | 13.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Roanoke Elementary School Roanoke | 13.2 mi | 8.4 |
| COUNTRY MEADOW South Whitley | 11.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Homestead High School Fort Wayne | 12.0 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46725 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,214
Median Home Value
$216,700
Median Rent
$907/mo
Population
22,941
College Educated
24.7%
Homeownership
79.3%
Avg Commute
21.7 min
Poverty Rate
8.8%
Median Age
42.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Little Turtle Elementary School has a median household income of $76,214. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $216,700, with a median rent of $907/month. The local poverty rate of 8.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Blue Academy Indianapolis, IN | 6.4 |
| Central Elementary School Lawrenceburg, IN | 6.4 |
| Churubusco Elementary School Churubusco, IN | 6.4 |
| East Elementary School Pendleton, IN | 6.4 |
| Ernest R Elliott Elementary School Munster, IN | 6.4 |
| Fort Branch Community School Fort Branch, IN | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Little Turtle Elementary School
What grades does Little Turtle Elementary School serve?
Little Turtle Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Little Turtle Elementary School?
Little Turtle Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 597 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Little Turtle Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Little Turtle Elementary School is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Little Turtle Elementary School rank in IN?
Little Turtle Elementary School is ranked #856 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Little Turtle Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Little Turtle Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Little Turtle Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Little Turtle Elementary School has 44.1% math proficiency and 38.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Little Turtle Elementary School a charter school?
No, Little Turtle Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Little Turtle Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Little Turtle Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Little Turtle Elementary School?
37.4% of students at Little Turtle Elementary 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,001/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 597
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 37.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Whitley County
- Phone
- (260) 244-3343
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Whitley County Con Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,690
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,015
- District Rank
- #3 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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