- Enrollment
- 2,360
- Students per teacher
- 14.2:1
- Resource Index
- 39/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Columbus, IN
L F Smith Elementary
Federal NCES profile for L F Smith Elementary, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 44/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 180036000070
👥 S:T ratio 46
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 16
📋 Attendance 44
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
L F Smith Elementary earns 44/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes smaller than 74% of Indiana schools.
- #4 of 10
- schools in Columbus · Resource Index
- 44
- Resource Index · Typical
- 13.5:1
- small classes for Indiana
- 55.8%
- free-lunch eligible
L F Smith Elementary has class sizes smaller than 74% of Indiana schools. Computed live against every Indiana school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, L F Smith Elementary ranks #4 of 10 schools in Columbus, IN.
School address
District: Bartholomew Con School Corp · Indiana
NCES ID 180036000070 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-40 students YoY
L F Smith Elementary shrank from 471 students in 2022-23 to 431 in 2023-24 (-8.5%).
Teacher FTE lost 31.2 → 28.5 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Shrinking CCD campus
-40 students YoY 180036000070 · Columbus, IN Other · SMALL · TRAD
420 enr · 13.5:1 · 55.8% lunch · RII 44
Nearest enrollment peer: Columbus North High School (2,360 students)
L F Smith Elementary shrank from 471 students in 2022-23 to 431 in 2023-24 (-8.5%). Teacher FTE lost 31.2 → 28.5 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Indiana schools → · Find another →
L F Smith Elementary in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Columbus North
Columbus North High School
2,360 students
- Columbus East
Columbus East High School
1,452 students
- Northside Midd 908
Northside Middle School
908 students
- Southside Elem 891
Southside Elementary School
891 students
- Central Middle 790
Central Middle School
790 students
- This school 420
L F Smith Elementary
420 students
What this shows L F Smith Elementary reports 420 students on the CCD universe file.
How L F Smith Elementary compares
L F Smith Elementary is a shrinking campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Indiana and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Indiana | Indiana avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 13.5:1 | ▼ 15% | 15.9:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 55.8% | ▲ 13% | 49.5% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 420 | top 56% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
13.5:1
Leaner classes than 62% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
420
Bigger than 50% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
55.8%
free-lunch eligible
- 13% above the Indiana average of 49.5%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
13.5:1
students per teacher
- 15% below state mean
Top 26% in Indiana - lower ratio than 74% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
22.4%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$13,277
per pupil, district-wide
- above Indiana avg of $12,921
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 420 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
1
in-school suspensions + 0 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.2 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 0.2 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 70.7%
Hispanic or Latino 16.2%
Two or More 7.6%
African American 3.6%
Asian 1.9%
Largest group: White at 70.7% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 46.6/100
Simpson diversity index - at 46.6, L F Smith Elementary is more mixed than the Indiana school average of 39.0.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Bartholomew Con School Corp reports $13,277 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How L F Smith Elementary Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus North High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Columbus East High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Northside Middle School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Southside Elementary School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Central Middle School | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to L F Smith Elementary's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,452
- Students per teacher
- 17.1:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
- Enrollment
- 908
- Students per teacher
- 15.9:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
- Enrollment
- 891
- Students per teacher
- 18.6:1
- Resource Index
- 42/100
- Enrollment
- 790
- Students per teacher
- 14.1:1
- Resource Index
- 44/100
Similar other schools in Columbus
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Southside Elementary School
Standard public school
891 students 18.6:1 students per teacher
Parkside Elementary School
Standard public school
733 students 16.7:1 students per teacher
Clifty Creek Elementary School
Standard public school
705 students 17.6:1 students per teacher
Lillian Schmitt Elementary School
Standard public school
704 students 17.6:1 students per teacher
W D Richards Elementary School
Standard public school
610 students 19.7:1 students per teacher
Mount Healthy Elementary School
Standard public school
365 students 14.6:1 students per teacher
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~420 students)
Frequently asked questions about L F Smith Elementary
How many students attend L F Smith Elementary?
L F Smith Elementary has 420 students enrolled. It is a public school in Columbus, IN. CCD year-over-year: 471 (2022-23) → 431 (2023-24), down 40.
What is the student-teacher ratio at L F Smith Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at L F Smith Elementary is 13.5:1, which is 15% lower than the Indiana average of 15.9:1 and 14% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at L F Smith Elementary?
55.8% of students at L F Smith Elementary are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Indiana average of 49.5%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of L F Smith Elementary?
The largest demographic group at L F Smith Elementary is White at 70.7% of enrollment, in Columbus, IN.
What is the Resource Investment Index for L F Smith Elementary?
L F Smith Elementary has a Resource Investment Index of 44/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does L F Smith Elementary rank among schools in Columbus?
By Resource Investment Index, L F Smith Elementary ranks #4 of 10 schools in Columbus, IN. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Columbus on the city page.
What other schools are in Bartholomew Con School Corp?
Besides L F Smith Elementary, Bartholomew Con School Corp also operates Columbus North High School (2,360 students), Columbus East High School (1,452 students), and Northside Middle School (908 students). See the Bartholomew Con School Corp district page for the complete list.