Total enrollment
5,106
+156 (+3%) vs SY 2017-18
Wells County
Indiana · Public K-12
Wells County operates 9 public K-12 schools across Indiana, with a combined student body of roughly 5,106 and a county population near 28,420. By level, that breaks down as 4 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high schools.
7-year change in Wells County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
9
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
88%
was 92%
% Hispanic
7%
was 4%
% Black
2%
was 1%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
9
3 districts
Enrollment
5,106
NCES CCD
Median income
$71,957
Above Indiana avg
Free/reduced lunch
41.9%
Below Indiana avg
Elementary
4
2,345 students
Middle
2
1,117 students
High
3
1,644 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Norwell Community Schools
2,413 students · 3 districts in Wells County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Wells County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
19.9%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
4.6%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
2.6%
civilian labor
Median age
40
24.7% under 18
Test scores in Wells County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 7 schools ranked. Indiana state average: 39.2%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Norwell Middle School· 54.9%
- Ossian Elementary· 45.6%
- Lancaster Central School· 39.0%
- Southern Wells Jr-Sr High School· 38.1%
- Bluffton-Harrison Middle School· 38.1%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norwell High School | Ossian | High | 09-12 | 753 | · |
| Bluffton-Harrison Elementary Sch | Bluffton | Elementary | PK-04 | 750 | · |
| Ossian Elementary | Ossian | Elementary | PK-05 | 566 | · |
| Norwell Middle School | Ossian | Middle | 06-08 | 561 | · |
| Bluffton-Harrison Middle School | Bluffton | Middle | 05-08 | 556 | · |
| Lancaster Central School | Bluffton | Elementary | PK-05 | 533 | · |
| Bluffton High School | Bluffton | High | 09-12 | 507 | · |
| Southern Wells Elementary School | Poneto | Elementary | PK-06 | 496 | · |
| Southern Wells Jr-Sr High School | Poneto | High | 07-12 | 384 | · |
Cities in Wells County
About Wells County
In Indiana, Wells County is a low-population county of about 28,420 residents. 9 public schools across the county enrolls about 5,106 students between them.
For perspective, census numbers show median household income runs near $71,957, 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and roughly 5% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
For a sense of the school types, Wells County spans 4 elementary schools (2,345 students), 2 middle schools (1,117), and 3 high schools (1,644).
Norwell Community Schools is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 2,413 students across Wells County.
Over the past 7-year window. Total public-school enrollment in Wells County has increased 3% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 4,950 students to 5,106. On the demographic side, White enrollment moved from 92% to 88% over the same window.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Wells County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
Wells County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data