Needs Improvement
#1748 of 1,823 schools in IN
Southern Wells Elementary School
Elementary School · Southern Wells Com Schools
9120 S 300 W, Poneto, IN 46781
Enrollment
499
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
499
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Poneto
#2 of 2
public schools
Indiana elementary schools
#1,002 of 1,047
In district
#2 of 2
Southern Wells Com Schools
About Southern Wells Elementary School
Southern Wells Elementary School is a rural public elementary school located in Poneto, Indiana. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 499 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.8:1 with 28 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. While Southern Wells Elementary’s academic performance places it near the bottom of state rankings at #1705 out of 1831 schools, focusing on ELA and Math proficiency rates of 30% and 38%, respectively, indicates areas for improvement.
Science scores are notably low, with no students reaching proficiency levels. Despite these challenges, the school remains committed to student development and continuous academic growth. Southern Wells Elementary School is situated in a quiet rural area that offers a close-knit community feel, providing students with a supportive learning environment.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Southern Wells 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
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Southern Wells Elementary School — Students at Southern Wells Elementary School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 18 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: 2.7/10.
How Southern Wells Elementary School Compares
See how Southern Wells Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 36.88% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 30.5% (2025).
Location
9120 S 300 W, Poneto, IN 46781
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southern Wells Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eastbrook North Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Van Buren), which scores notably higher. Another option is Blackford Primary School (rated 7.8/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Hartford City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Jay Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Dunkirk), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Poneto, see our Poneto schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Wells Jr-Sr High School Poneto | 0.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Blackford Jr-Sr High School Hartford City | 9.8 mi | 8.0 |
| WESLEYAN HERITAGE ACADEMY Bluffton | 10.3 mi | — |
| Bluffton High School Bluffton | 10.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Bluffton-Harrison Middle School Bluffton | 10.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Blackford Primary School Hartford City | 11.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Bluffton-Harrison Elementary Sch Bluffton | 10.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Salamonie Elementary School Warren | 9.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Blackford Intermediate School Hartford City | 11.6 mi | 5.0 |
| KINGDOM ACADEMY OF BLUFFTON INC Bluffton | 11.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Lancaster Central School Bluffton | 13.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Eastbrook North Elementary Van Buren | 11.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Early Childhood Center Van Buren | 11.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Norwell High School Ossian | 15.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Norwell Middle School Ossian | 15.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Eastbrook High School Marion | 12.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Eastbrook Middle School Marion | 12.6 mi | 7.1 |
| West Jay Elementary Dunkirk | 16.3 mi | 7.8 |
| HARTFORD VALLEY SCHOOL Geneva | 13.3 mi | — |
| SPRING MEADOW SCHOOL Bluffton | 14.1 mi | 3.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46781 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$89,886
Median Home Value
$184,200
Median Rent
$531/mo
Population
879
College Educated
9.9%
Homeownership
91.4%
Avg Commute
29.4 min
Poverty Rate
5.3%
Median Age
40.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southern Wells Elementary School has a median household income of $89,886. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $184,200, with a median rent of $531/month. The local poverty rate of 5.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Fairview Elementary School Logansport, IN | 3.8 |
| Henry S Evans Elementary School Lake Station, IN | 3.8 |
| McKinley Elementary School South Bend, IN | 3.8 |
| Monroe Central Elementary School Parker City, IN | 3.8 |
| Washington Twp Elementary School Valparaiso, IN | 3.8 |
| Anderson Elementary School Madison, IN | 3.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southern Wells Elementary School
What grades does Southern Wells Elementary School serve?
Southern Wells Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Southern Wells Elementary School?
Southern Wells Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 499 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Wells Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Southern Wells Elementary School is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southern Wells Elementary School rank in IN?
Southern Wells Elementary School is ranked #1748 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Southern Wells Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern Wells Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Southern Wells Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern Wells Elementary School has 42.1% math proficiency and 34.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southern Wells Elementary School a charter school?
No, Southern Wells Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southern Wells Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Southern Wells Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southern Wells Elementary School?
54.9% of students at Southern Wells 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
- County Safety
- Low (57/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 499
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Wells County
- Phone
- (765) 728-2121
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Southern Wells Com Schools- District Enrollment
- 883
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,929
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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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