Average
#835 of 1,823 schools in IN
Top 46% in state
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
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
450
Student-Teacher
6.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fort Wayne
#39 of 74
public schools
Indiana elementary schools
#521 of 1,047
In district
#25 of 49
Fort Wayne Community Schools
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Merle J Abbett Elementary School
Merle J Abbett Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, nestled within the bustling city of Allen County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 450 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 6.5:1, Merle J Abbett provides personalized attention to each child's learning needs.
The academic performance at Merle J Abbett Elementary School shows there is room for improvement, as indicated by the school’s MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and its state ranking of #857 out of 1831 schools in Indiana. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 7%, while Math proficiency is at 5% and Science proficiency remains below 1%. These numbers suggest that the school focuses on student development with a dedicated teaching staff of 69 full-time equivalent teachers.
Despite the current academic challenges, Merle J Abbett Elementary School plays an integral role in its community by offering support and resources to young learners. The setting within Fort Wayne's urban landscape means students are immersed in a vibrant city environment that offers numerous opportunities for learning beyond the classroom.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Merle J Abbett Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
With a student-teacher ratio of 6.5:1, Merle J Abbett Elementary School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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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: 21%).
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 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: 7.7/10.
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
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 8.14% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 9.91% (2025).
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. John S Irwin Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST PAUL'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jeff H Towles Intermediate School (rated 7.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Merle J Abbett Elementary School has a median household income of $44,601. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $78,000, with a median rent of $924/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Bright Elementary School Lawrenceburg, IN | 6.5 |
| Cedar Canyon Elementary School Fort Wayne, IN | 6.5 |
| Clear Creek Elementary School Bloomington, IN | 6.5 |
| Converse Elementary School Converse, IN | 6.5 |
| Eastbrook South Elementary Upland, IN | 6.5 |
| Howard Elementary School Kokomo, IN | 6.5 |
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 is ranked #835 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Merle J Abbett Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Merle J Abbett Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Merle J Abbett Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Merle J Abbett Elementary School has 7.5% math proficiency and 10.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (2,551/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fort Wayne). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (260) 467-5800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fort Wayne Community Schools- District Enrollment
- 28,506
- Schools in District
- 50
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,569
- District Rank
- #25 of 49
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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