- Enrollment
- 2,145
- Students per teacher
- 20.8:1
- Resource Index
- 37/100
High school (grades 9-12) · Fort Wayne, IN
South Side High School
Federal NCES profile for South Side High School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 38/100.
2024-25 NCES dataHigh school (grades 9-12)NCES 180363000562
👥 S:T ratio 27
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 53
📋 Attendance 1
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
South Side High School earns 38/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 82% of Indiana schools. It is also one of the largest schools in Indiana.
- #7 of 8
- high schools in Fort Wayne · Resource Index
- 38
- Resource Index · Typical
- 18.2:1
- large classes for Indiana
- 70.8%
- free-lunch eligible
South Side High School has class sizes larger than 82% of Indiana schools. Computed live against every Indiana school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, South Side High School ranks #7 of 8 high schools in Fort Wayne, IN.
School address
District: Fort Wayne Community Schools · Indiana
NCES ID 180363000562 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+36 students YoY
South Side High School held near 1,459 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+36 headcount).
Teacher FTE added 77.7 → 91.8 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+36 students YoY 180363000562 · Fort Wayne, IN High · MID · TRAD
1,405 enr · 18.2:1 · 70.8% lunch · RII 38
Nearest enrollment peer: Northrop High School (2,145 students)
South Side High School held near 1,459 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+36 headcount). Teacher FTE added 77.7 → 91.8 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Indiana schools → · Find another →
South Side High 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
- This school
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
- Blackhawk Midd 814
Blackhawk Middle School
814 students
What this shows South Side High School reports 1,405 students on the CCD universe file.
How South Side High School compares
South Side High School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Indiana and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Indiana | Indiana avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 18.2:1 | ▲ 14% | 15.9:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 70.8% | ▲ 43% | 49.5% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 1,405 | top 4% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
18.2:1
Leaner classes than 23% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
1,405
Bigger than 96% of US schools by enrollment, a large campus nationally.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
70.8%
free-lunch eligible
- 43% 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
18.2:1
students per teacher
- 14% above state mean
Top 82% in Indiana - lower ratio than 18% of state schools
Between 16:1 and 20:1, squarely in the typical U.S. public-school staffing range.
Engagement
39.6%
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
Counselors6.0 FTE
Per 234 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
62
in-school suspensions + 39 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 4.4 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 7.2 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 37.1%
African American 29.0%
White 16.2%
Two or More 9.0%
Asian 8.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 37.1% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 73.7/100
Simpson diversity index - at 73.7, South Side High School is more mixed than the Indiana school average of 39.0.
Programs
AP courses offered 1
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 South Side High 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 |
| Wayne High School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| North Side High School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Blackhawk Middle School | Smaller | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to South Side High 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
- 1,398
- Students per teacher
- 17.5:1
- Resource Index
- 40/100
- Enrollment
- 1,383
- Students per teacher
- 16.1:1
- Resource Index
- 40/100
- Enrollment
- 814
- Students per teacher
- 17.3:1
- Resource Index
- 44/100
Similar high schools in Fort Wayne
6 comparable high schools (grades 9-12) serving the same city.
Carroll High School
Standard public school
2,623 students 20:1 students per teacher
Homestead High School
Standard public school
2,382 students 19.5:1 students per teacher
Northrop High School
Standard public school
2,145 students 20.8:1 students per teacher
R Nelson Snider High School
Standard public school
1,927 students 21.7:1 students per teacher
Wayne High School
Standard public school
1,398 students 17.5:1 students per teacher
North Side High School
Standard public school
1,383 students 16.1:1 students per teacher
Nationwide high 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 (~1,405 students)
Similar student-teacher ratio (~18.2:1)
Frequently asked questions about South Side High School
How many students attend South Side High School?
South Side High School has 1,405 students enrolled. It is a high school in Fort Wayne, IN. CCD year-over-year: 1,423 (2022-23) → 1,459 (2023-24), nearly flat (+36).
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Side High School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Side High School is 18.2:1, which is 14% higher than the Indiana average of 15.9:1 and 16% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at South Side High School?
70.8% of students at South Side High School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Indiana average of 49.5%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of South Side High School?
The largest demographic group at South Side High School is Hispanic or Latino at 37.1% of enrollment, in Fort Wayne, IN. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 73.7/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for South Side High School?
South Side High School has a Resource Investment Index of 38/100 (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 South Side High School rank among high schools in Fort Wayne?
By Resource Investment Index, South Side High School ranks #7 of 8 high 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 high schools in Fort Wayne on the city page.
What other schools are in Fort Wayne Community Schools?
Besides South Side High School, Fort Wayne Community Schools also operates Northrop High School (2,145 students), R Nelson Snider High School (1,927 students), and Wayne High School (1,398 students). See the Fort Wayne Community Schools district page for the complete list.