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Very Good

#576 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 32% in state

South Side High School

High School · Fort Wayne Community Schools

3601 S Calhoun St, Fort Wayne, IN 46807

Enrollment

1,459

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

7.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fort Wayne

#26 of 74

public schools

Indiana high schools

#110 of 388

In district

#17 of 49

Fort Wayne Community Schools

Academic growth

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About South Side High School

South Side High School serves 1,459 students in grades 9-12 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with a student-teacher ratio of 16:1 supported by 91 full-time equivalent teachers. The school operates as a regular public high school in Allen County and currently faces significant academic challenges, with room for substantial growth in student achievement. Academic performance indicates the school is working to improve outcomes, particularly in mathematics where 8% of students demonstrate proficiency across grade levels.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and ranking in the 4th percentile statewide, South Side High School represents an institution focused on student development and support. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $57,625 and median home values average $121,400. About 31% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 16% of families experience poverty, reflecting the varied socioeconomic landscape the school serves.

Located on South Calhoun Street, South Side High School sits in Fort Wayne's urban environment, providing education within Indiana's second-largest city. The school's substantial enrollment makes it a significant educational institution serving the south side community, where students and families work together toward academic progress and personal growth.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at South Side High 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.28 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.2Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency39%
Overall Proficiency24%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected-5.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College Readiness9.1Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation0.1%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment6.7Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,247

South Side High School — Students at South Side High School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 11.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 38.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
13%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
39%
2022
Math
8%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How South Side High School Compares

See how South Side High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
69th percentile in IN
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
6.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
91 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
0.1% participation·81 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

3601 S Calhoun St, Fort Wayne, IN 46807

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Side High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. John S Irwin Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BISHOP LUERS HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST PAUL'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Fort Wayne, see our Fort Wayne schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Harrison Hill Elementary School Fort Wayne 0.6 mi 6.8
Fairfield Elementary School Fort Wayne 0.6 mi 6.1
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST Fort Wayne 0.8 mi 7.1
South Wayne Elementary School Fort Wayne 0.7 mi 5.9
Weisser Park Elementary School Fort Wayne 0.7 mi 6.2
Whitney M Young Early Childhood Fort Wayne 0.8 mi 6.9
Merle J Abbett Elementary School Fort Wayne 1.0 mi 6.5
LUTHERAN SOUTH UNITY SCHOOL Fort Wayne 1.3 mi 6.9
EMMAUS LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Fort Wayne 1.1 mi 5.6
BISHOP LUERS HIGH SCHOOL Fort Wayne 1.4 mi 8.4
Bunche Elementary School Fort Wayne 1.2 mi 6.4
Levan R Scott Academy Fort Wayne 1.3 mi 7.2
Fort Wayne Virtual Academy Fort Wayne 1.5 mi 6.3
Jeff H Towles Intermediate School Fort Wayne 1.5 mi 7.4
ST PAUL'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Wayne 1.6 mi 7.6
John S Irwin Elementary School Fort Wayne 1.3 mi 8.9
EMMANUEL-ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Fort Wayne 1.6 mi 5.9
Smith Academy for Excellence Fort Wayne 1.7 mi 6.9
Washington Elementary School Fort Wayne 1.7 mi 6.0
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Wayne 1.7 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46807 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,341

Median Home Value

$133,500

Median Rent

$970/mo

Population

16,285

College Educated

29.8%

Homeownership

60%

Avg Commute

21.7 min

Poverty Rate

17.8%

Median Age

32.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Side High School has a median household income of $56,341. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $133,500, with a median rent of $970/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.8%. 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
Kankakee Valley High School Wheatfield, IN 7.1
Lebanon Senior High School Lebanon, IN 7.1
Lowell Senior High School Lowell, IN 7.2
Columbus East High School Columbus, IN 6.9
Jefferson High School Lafayette, IN 6.9
New Prairie High School New Carlisle, IN 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Side High School

What grades does South Side High School serve?

South Side High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend South Side High School?

South Side High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,459 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Side High School?

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

How does South Side High School rank in IN?

South Side High School is ranked #576 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is South Side High School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Side High School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 South Side High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Side High School has 11.0% math proficiency and 38.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Side High School a charter school?

No, South Side High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South Side High School a Title I school?

No, South Side High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Side High School?

68.9% of students at South Side 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
80 Very Walkable
Transit Score
41 Some Transit
Bike Score
51 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,551/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fort Wayne). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,459
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
91
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Allen County
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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