Needs Improvement
#1741 of 1,823 schools in IN
Merle J Abbett Elementary School
Elementary School · Fort Wayne Community Schools
4325 Smith St, Fort Wayne, IN 46806
Enrollment
450
Student-Teacher
6.5:1
Score
3.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
450
Student-Teacher
6.5:1
Score
3.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Indiana schools
#1,741 of 1,823
In Fort Wayne
#73 of 74
public schools
In district
#48 of 49
Fort Wayne Community Schools
Shortlisting around Merle J Abbett Elementary School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Merle J Abbett Elementary School
Elementary School in Fort Wayne · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Levan R Scott Academy
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
John S Irwin Elementary School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Merle J Abbett Elementary School
Merle J Abbett Elementary School is a public elementary school in Fort Wayne, IN, part of Fort Wayne Community Schools. Merle J Abbett Elementary School serves approximately 450 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 6.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Merle J Abbett Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,741 of 1,823 schools in IN.
Structured state assessment records for Merle J Abbett Elementary School show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.7
- IN avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
At 6.5:1 students to teachers, Merle J Abbett Elementary School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
48% of students at Merle J Abbett Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Merle J Abbett Elementary School — Students at Merle J Abbett Elementary School score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.1%
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: 2.1/10.
How Merle J Abbett Elementary School Compares
See how Merle J Abbett Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
4325 Smith St, Fort Wayne, IN 46806
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Merle J Abbett Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST PAUL'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Whitney M Young Early Childhood (rated 7.1/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST JOHN THE BAPTIST (rated 7.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fort Wayne, see our Fort Wayne schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46806 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$44,601
Median Home Value
$78,000
Median Rent
$924/mo
Population
26,060
College Educated
8.7%
Homeownership
52%
Avg Commute
20.9 min
Poverty Rate
23.9%
Median Age
30.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Emmons Elementary School Mishawaka, IN | 3.1 |
| Farrington Grove Elementary School Terre Haute, IN | 3.1 |
| Longfellow New Tech Elementary Sch Gary, IN | 3.1 |
| Muessel Elementary School South Bend, IN | 3.1 |
| Valley Mills Elementary School Indianapolis, IN | 3.1 |
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary School East Chicago, IN | 3.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Merle J Abbett Elementary School
What grades does Merle J Abbett Elementary School serve?
Merle J Abbett Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Merle J Abbett Elementary School?
Merle J Abbett Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 450 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Merle J Abbett Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Merle J Abbett Elementary School is 6.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Merle J Abbett Elementary School rank in IN?
Merle J Abbett Elementary School ranks #1,741 of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Merle J Abbett Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Merle J Abbett Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 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 Merle J Abbett Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Merle J Abbett Elementary School has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Merle J Abbett Elementary School a charter school?
No, Merle J Abbett Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Merle J Abbett Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Merle J Abbett Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Merle J Abbett Elementary School?
81.1% of students at Merle J Abbett 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 450
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 69
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Allen County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 48.2%
- Phone
- (260) 467-5800
Resources & Links
District
Fort Wayne Community Schools- District Enrollment
- 28,506
- Schools in District
- 50
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,569
- District Rank
- #48 of 49
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.