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Average

#750 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 41% in state

Paul Harding JR High School

Middle School · East Allen County Schools

6501 Wayne Trace, Ft. Wayne, IN 46816

Enrollment

440

Student-Teacher

12.2:1

Score

6.8

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#750 of 1,823

In district

#7 of 14

East Allen County Schools

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Paul Harding JR High School

6.8/10

Middle School in Ft. Wayne · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

East Allen University

7.8/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Southwick Elementary School

6.0/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Paul Harding JR High School

Paul Harding JR High School is a public middle school in Ft. Wayne, IN, part of East Allen County Schools. Paul Harding JR High School serves approximately 440 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio.

Paul Harding JR High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #750 of 1,823 schools in IN. Structured state assessment records for Paul Harding JR High School show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • District avg 6.9
  • IN avg 5.5

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Paul Harding JR High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.28 pts/yr
Data Period2011–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.2% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency20.9% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg-25.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.2 pts
Overall Proficiency16% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)22% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected-6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,318
Chronic Absenteeism28.6%

Paul Harding JR High School — Students at Paul Harding JR High School score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

81.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 22.8% (multi-year average, 2011-2025)
School
State
37.6% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 34.3% (multi-year average, 2011-2025)
School
State
40.5% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 29 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2011
Math
39%
ELA
35%
2012
Math
44%
ELA
40%
2013
Math
60%
ELA
59%
2014
Math
30%
ELA
44%
2015
Math
19%
ELA
41%
2016
Math
18%
ELA
34%
2017
Math
25%
ELA
49%
2018
Math
20%
ELA
33%
2019
Math
20%
ELA
33%
2020*
Math
11%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
11%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
14%
2025
Math
10.2%
ELA
20.7%

* 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: 8.8/10.

How Paul Harding JR High School Compares

See how Paul Harding JR High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
59th percentile in IN
Academic
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
8.8/10
Excellent
Environment
7.9/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
81%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
28.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

6501 Wayne Trace, Ft. Wayne, IN 46816

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Paul Harding JR High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Timothy L. Johnson Academy Middle (rated 6.9/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Fort Wayne), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Memorial Park Middle School (rated 6.7/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Fort Wayne), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Ft. Wayne, see our Ft. Wayne schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.7 mi
School Distance Rating
East Allen University Fort Wayne 0.0 mi 7.8
Southwick Elementary School Fort Wayne 0.2 mi 6.0
Prince Chapman Academy Fort Wayne 0.3 mi 6.3
Timothy L Johnson Academy Fort Wayne 1.8 mi 5.0
Timothy L. Johnson Academy Middle Fort Wayne 1.8 mi 6.9
John S Irwin Elementary School Fort Wayne 2.7 mi 6.8
Adams Elementary School Fort Wayne 3.1 mi 3.9
ST JOSEPH HESSEN CASSEL Fort Wayne 3.3 mi 6.5
Merle J Abbett Elementary School Fort Wayne 2.7 mi 3.1
Levan R Scott Academy Fort Wayne 2.6 mi 3.5
Jeff H Towles Intermediate School Fort Wayne 2.9 mi 5.7
Weisser Park Elementary School Fort Wayne 3.3 mi 6.7
Whitney M Young Early Childhood Fort Wayne 3.4 mi 7.1
Memorial Park Middle School Fort Wayne 3.8 mi 6.7
BISHOP LUERS HIGH SCHOOL Fort Wayne 3.1 mi 8.4
LUTHERAN SOUTH UNITY SCHOOL Fort Wayne 3.2 mi 6.9
Bunche Elementary School Fort Wayne 3.7 mi 6.8
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Wayne 4.6 mi 7.1
South Side High School Fort Wayne 3.7 mi 5.8
Harrison Hill Elementary School Fort Wayne 3.7 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46816 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$43,760

Median Home Value

$129,100

Median Rent

$813/mo

Population

19,240

College Educated

9.1%

Homeownership

57.3%

Avg Commute

24.3 min

Poverty Rate

27.4%

Median Age

34.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Crawford County Middle School Marengo, IN 6.8
Roosevelt Middle School Monticello, IN 6.8
Scottsburg Middle School Scottsburg, IN 6.8
Triton Central Middle School Fairland, IN 6.8
Cascade Middle School Clayton, IN 6.7
Memorial Park Middle School Fort Wayne, IN 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Paul Harding JR High School

What grades does Paul Harding JR High School serve?

Paul Harding JR High School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Paul Harding JR High School?

Paul Harding JR High School has an enrollment of approximately 440 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Paul Harding JR High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Paul Harding JR High School is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Paul Harding JR High School rank in IN?

Paul Harding JR High School ranks #750 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Paul Harding JR High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Paul Harding JR High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Paul Harding JR High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Paul Harding JR High School has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2025).

Is Paul Harding JR High School a charter school?

No, Paul Harding JR High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Paul Harding JR High School a Title I school?

No, Paul Harding JR High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paul Harding JR High School?

81.4% of students at Paul Harding JR High 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
440
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
81.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Allen County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
28.6%

District

East Allen County Schools
District Enrollment
10,007
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,318
District Rank
#7 of 14

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.

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