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Stewart-Studebaker HouseStewart-Studebaker House · Photo: Nyttend · Public domain
A−
Schools in Bluffton · Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan School District, Northern Wells Community Schools

Bluffton’s public schools outscore 81% of Indiana districts

On the state math tests, 45% of Bluffton’s students scored proficient, above the Indiana average (38%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Bluffton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Indiana, not nationally.

#141of 592 Indiana townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Indiana state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
47%
▲ 5 pts vs IN 41%
2021–22
Math proficiency
45%
▲ 8 pts vs IN 38%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 7–12 pts vs IN 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$12.7K
▼ 7% vs IN $13.7K
FY2024 · Northern Wells
Students per teacher
14.4
IN 15.3 · smaller classes
Schools in town
0
4,226 students on the public path
In brief

Bluffton’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 824 Indiana towns with household incomes within a quarter of Bluffton’s, its schools beat 87%, higher than their 81% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 47% and math 45% across both districts in spring 2022, against 41% and 38% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan spends $11,967 per student and Northern Wells $12,680, against $13,688 across Indiana (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Bluffton’s grade

A− Test scoresB+ Graduation

A−: better than 81% of Indiana school districts, #141 of 592 Indiana towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Indiana average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Indiana school districts we grade (396)Better than 81%
Lower resultsHigher results
Indiana towns with similar household incomes (824)Better than 87%
B+AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,240 test results and a graduating class of 191 could put Bluffton anywhere from B+ to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Bluffton’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,240 in math, 2,241 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Bluffton, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressB to B+
6–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressC+ to B+
9–122 high schoolsDepends on your addressA−

Bluffton runs its own schools through grade 12 (Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan School District). From grade PK, students attend the Northern Wells Community Schools, shared with Jefferson, Lancaster, Markle, Ossian, Rockcreek, Union, Uniondale and Zanesville. Its elementary school is in Bluffton. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Bluffton

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 1,813 students, up 10% since 2020–21 · 13.9 per teacher (IN 15.3)
$11,967IN $13,688 · FY2024
B+
Northern Wells Community SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 2,413 students, down 1% since 2020–21 · 14.8 per teacher (IN 15.3)
$12,680IN $13,688 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading · PK–12, Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan School District42%
State average 41.3% · 935 students tested
Math · PK–12, Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan School District39%
State average 37.5% · 934 students tested
Reading · PK–12, Northern Wells Community Schools50%
State average 41.3% · 1306 students tested
Math · PK–12, Northern Wells Community Schools50%
State average 37.5% · 1306 students tested

Bluffton vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Indiana towns that share Bluffton’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
BlufftonA−Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan PK–12 · Northern Wells PK–12

Every school in Bluffton

7 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Indiana’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

Also serving Blufftonin other towns
Bluffton-Harrison Elementary Sch
Elementary · Grades PK–4
B
750 students15:1Rate it →
Ossian Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Ossian
B
566 students15:1Rate it →
Lancaster Central School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B+
533 students15:1Rate it →
Bluffton-Harrison Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8
C+
556 students14:1Rate it →
Norwell Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Ossian
B+
561 students14:1Rate it →
Norwell High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Ossian
A−
753 students16:1Rate it →
Bluffton High School
High · Grades 9–12
A−
507 students13:1Rate it →

Questions about Bluffton’s schools

Are Bluffton’s schools good?

By Indiana’s own tests, yes: the public schools Bluffton children attend outscore 81% of Indiana’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #141 of 592 Indiana towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 87%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Bluffton in?

Two districts: Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan School District runs grades PK–12, and Northern Wells Community Schools runs grades PK–12, shared with Jefferson, Lancaster, Markle, Ossian, Rockcreek, Union, Uniondale and Zanesville.

Where do Bluffton kids go to high school?

One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Norwell High School and Bluffton High School.

What is Bluffton’s graduation rate?

95–100% of the class of 2023 in Northern Wells Community Schools graduated in four years, against 88% across Indiana.

How much does Bluffton spend per student?

$11,967 in Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan School District and $12,680 in Northern Wells Community Schools (FY2024), against $13,688 across Indiana. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Bluffton families are saying about school.

Town Square →
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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Bluffton → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Indiana. Stars are from neighbors.