Average
#1368 of 1,823 schools in IN
Southern Wells Jr-sr High School
High School · Southern Wells Com Schools
9120S 300 West, Poneto, IN 46781
Enrollment
384
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
5.3
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
384
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
5.3
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Poneto
#1 of 2
public schools
Indiana high schools
#292 of 388
In district
#1 of 2
Southern Wells Com Schools
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Southern Wells Jr-sr High School
Southern Wells Jr-Sr High School is a regular public school located in the rural community of Poneto, Indiana. The school serves students from seventh grade through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 384 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1, Southern Wells Jr-Sr High School offers personalized attention to its students.
The academic performance of the school reflects areas for improvement, with MySchoolScout rating it at 4.4 out of 10 and placing it in the 20th percentile among Indiana schools. The state ranking is 1474 out of 1831 schools. Test scores show that 38% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 28% are proficient or above in Math.
Despite these challenges, Southern Wells Jr-Sr High School remains committed to the development and growth of its students within a supportive rural setting. The school’s location in Poneto offers a close-knit community where students can benefit from smaller class sizes and dedicated teachers. Southern Wells Jr-Sr High School is situated in a rural area that provides a peaceful environment for learning, fostering strong relationships between students and faculty.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Southern Wells Jr-sr High 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
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Southern Wells Jr-sr High School — Students at Southern Wells Jr-sr High School score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 11 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: 3.7/10.
How Southern Wells Jr-sr High School Compares
See how Southern Wells Jr-sr High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 32.37% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 59% (2019) to 38.13% (2025).
Location
9120S 300 West, Poneto, IN 46781
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southern Wells Jr-sr High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Blackford Jr-Sr High School (rated 8.0/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Hartford City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eastbrook High School (rated 6.6/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Marion), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bluffton High School (rated 6.0/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Bluffton), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Poneto, see our Poneto schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Wells Elementary School Poneto | 0.0 mi | 3.8 |
| 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 Jr-sr High 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 |
|---|---|
| Kouts Middle/High School Kouts, IN | 5.3 |
| N Judson-San Pierre Jr Sr High Sch North Judson, IN | 5.3 |
| North Central Jr/Sr High School Farmersburg, IN | 5.3 |
| Northeastern High School Fountain City, IN | 5.3 |
| Tri-County Jr/Sr High School Wolcott, IN | 5.2 |
| Wapahani High School Selma, IN | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southern Wells Jr-sr High School
What grades does Southern Wells Jr-sr High School serve?
Southern Wells Jr-sr High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Southern Wells Jr-sr High School?
Southern Wells Jr-sr High School has an enrollment of approximately 384 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Wells Jr-sr High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Southern Wells Jr-sr High School is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southern Wells Jr-sr High School rank in IN?
Southern Wells Jr-sr High School is ranked #1368 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Southern Wells Jr-sr High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern Wells Jr-sr High School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Jr-sr High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern Wells Jr-sr High School has 34.7% math proficiency and 45.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southern Wells Jr-sr High School a charter school?
No, Southern Wells Jr-sr High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southern Wells Jr-sr High School a Title I school?
No, Southern Wells Jr-sr High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southern Wells Jr-sr High School?
41.1% of students at Southern Wells Jr-sr 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.
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
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 384
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Wells County
- Phone
- (765) 728-5534
- 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
- #1 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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