Below Average
#1498 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
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
499
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Indiana schools
#1,498 of 1,823
In Poneto
#2 of 2
public schools
In district
#2 of 2
Southern Wells Com Schools
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Southern Wells Elementary School
Elementary School in Poneto · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Southern Wells Jr-sr High School
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Blackford Jr-sr High School
9.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southern Wells Elementary School
Southern Wells Elementary School is a public elementary school in Poneto, IN, part of Southern Wells Com Schools. Southern Wells Elementary School serves approximately 499 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 17.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Southern Wells Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,498 of 1,823 schools in IN.
Structured state assessment records for Southern Wells Elementary School show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.6 · Below Average
- IN avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
Southern Wells Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southern Wells Elementary School — Students at Southern Wells Elementary School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
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 40 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: 4.2/10.
How Southern Wells Elementary School Compares
See how Southern Wells Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Salamonie Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Warren), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Jay Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Dunkirk), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Blackford Intermediate School (rated 6.7/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Hartford City), 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 | 6.9 |
| Blackford Jr-Sr High School Hartford City | 9.8 mi | 7.7 |
| WESLEYAN HERITAGE ACADEMY Bluffton | 10.3 mi | — |
| Bluffton High School Bluffton | 10.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Bluffton-Harrison Middle School Bluffton | 10.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Blackford Primary School Hartford City | 11.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Bluffton-Harrison Elementary Sch Bluffton | 10.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Salamonie Elementary School Warren | 9.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Blackford Intermediate School Hartford City | 11.6 mi | 6.7 |
| KINGDOM ACADEMY OF BLUFFTON INC Bluffton | 11.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Lancaster Central School Bluffton | 13.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Eastbrook North Elementary Van Buren | 11.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Early Childhood Center Van Buren | 11.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Norwell High School Ossian | 15.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Norwell Middle School Ossian | 15.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Eastbrook High School Marion | 12.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Eastbrook Middle School Marion | 12.6 mi | 6.1 |
| West Jay Elementary Dunkirk | 16.3 mi | 7.3 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Arlington Heights Elementary Sch Bloomington, IN | 4.6 |
| Blanche E Fuqua Elementary School Terre Haute, IN | 4.6 |
| CSA Fodrea Campus Columbus, IN | 4.6 |
| Charles Warren Fairbanks Sch 105 Indianapolis, IN | 4.6 |
| Gold Academy Indianapolis, IN | 4.6 |
| Jefferson-Craig Elementary School Vevay, IN | 4.6 |
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 ranks #1,498 of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Southern Wells Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern Wells Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Southern Wells Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southern Wells Elementary School has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 9.8%
- Phone
- (765) 728-2121
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
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