- Enrollment
- 2,145
- Students per teacher
- 20.8:1
- Resource Index
- 37/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Fort Wayne, IN
Merle J Abbett Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for Merle J Abbett Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 45/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 180363000547
👥 S:T ratio 64
🌟 Gifted program 70
📋 Attendance 0
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Merle J Abbett Elementary School earns 45/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes smaller than 97% of Indiana schools. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Indiana schools.
- #20 of 32
- schools in Fort Wayne · Resource Index
- 45
- Resource Index · Typical
- 9:1
- small classes for Indiana
- 84.9%
- free-lunch eligible
Merle J Abbett Elementary School has class sizes smaller than 97% of Indiana schools. Computed live against every Indiana school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Merle J Abbett Elementary School ranks #20 of 32 schools in Fort Wayne, IN.
School address
District: Fort Wayne Community Schools · Indiana
NCES ID 180363000547 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-48 students YoY
Merle J Abbett Elementary School shrank from 498 students in 2022-23 to 450 in 2023-24 (-9.6%).
Teacher FTE added 52.8 → 69.8 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Shrinking CCD campus
-48 students YoY 180363000547 · Fort Wayne, IN Other · SMALL · TRAD
467 enr · 9:1 · 84.9% lunch · RII 45
Nearest enrollment peer: Northrop High School (2,145 students)
Merle J Abbett Elementary School shrank from 498 students in 2022-23 to 450 in 2023-24 (-9.6%). Teacher FTE added 52.8 → 69.8 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Indiana schools → · Find another →
Merle J Abbett Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Northrop High
Northrop High School
2,145 students
- R Nelson Snide
R Nelson Snider High School
1,927 students
- South Side Hig
South Side High School
1,405 students
- Wayne High Sch
Wayne High School
1,398 students
- North Side Hig
North Side High School
1,383 students
- This school 467
Merle J Abbett Elementary School
467 students
What this shows Merle J Abbett Elementary School reports 467 students on the CCD universe file.
How Merle J Abbett Elementary School compares
Merle J Abbett Elementary School 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 | 9:1 | ▼ 43% | 15.9:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 84.9% | ▲ 72% | 49.5% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 467 | top 47% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
9:1
Leaner classes than 93% of US schools, among the more generously staffed nationally.
467
Bigger than 57% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
84.9%
free-lunch eligible
- 72% above the Indiana average of 49.5%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
9:1
students per teacher
- 43% below state mean
Top 3% in Indiana - lower ratio than 97% of state schools
Well under the widely cited 15:1 individualized-attention benchmark, among the leaner class loads nationally.
Engagement
46.7%
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
$14,569
per pupil, district-wide
- above Indiana avg of $12,921
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors0.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
46
in-school suspensions + 44 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 9.9 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 19.3 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 45.6%
African American 30.6%
Asian 11.6%
Two or More 7.7%
White 3.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.6%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 45.6% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 67.7/100
Simpson diversity index - at 67.7, Merle J Abbett Elementary School is more mixed than the Indiana school average of 39.0.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Fort Wayne Community Schools reports $14,569 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Merle J Abbett Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northrop High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| R Nelson Snider High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| South Side High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Wayne High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| North Side High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Merle J Abbett Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,927
- Students per teacher
- 21.7:1
- Resource Index
- 43/100
- Enrollment
- 1,405
- Students per teacher
- 18.2:1
- Resource Index
- 38/100
- Enrollment
- 1,398
- Students per teacher
- 17.5:1
- Resource Index
- 40/100
- Enrollment
- 1,383
- Students per teacher
- 16.1:1
- Resource Index
- 40/100
Similar other schools in Fort Wayne
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Southwick Elementary School
Standard public school
724 students 16.8:1 students per teacher
Harrison Hill Elementary School
Standard public school
612 students 13.9:1 students per teacher
J Wilbur Haley Elementary School
Standard public school
583 students 16.2:1 students per teacher
Forest Park Elementary School
Standard public school
558 students 14.3:1 students per teacher
Washington Center Elementary Sch
Standard public school
553 students 18.4:1 students per teacher
Northcrest Elementary School
Standard public school
536 students 17.9:1 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 (~467 students)
Similar student-teacher ratio (~9:1)
Frequently asked questions about Merle J Abbett Elementary School
How many students attend Merle J Abbett Elementary School?
Merle J Abbett Elementary School has 467 students enrolled. It is a public school in Fort Wayne, IN. CCD year-over-year: 498 (2022-23) → 450 (2023-24), down 48.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Merle J Abbett Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Merle J Abbett Elementary School is 9:1, which is 43% lower than the Indiana average of 15.9:1 and 43% 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 Merle J Abbett Elementary School?
84.9% of students at Merle J Abbett Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Indiana average of 49.5%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Merle J Abbett Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at Merle J Abbett Elementary School is Hispanic or Latino at 45.6% of enrollment, in Fort Wayne, IN. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 67.7/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Merle J Abbett Elementary School?
Merle J Abbett Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 45/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Merle J Abbett Elementary School rank among schools in Fort Wayne?
By Resource Investment Index, Merle J Abbett Elementary School ranks #20 of 32 schools in Fort Wayne, IN. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Fort Wayne on the city page.
What other schools are in Fort Wayne Community Schools?
Besides Merle J Abbett Elementary School, Fort Wayne Community Schools also operates Northrop High School (2,145 students), R Nelson Snider High School (1,927 students), and South Side High School (1,405 students). See the Fort Wayne Community Schools district page for the complete list.