The top reported proficiency rate is 49% in Math. The lowest is 32% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Wes-del Elementary School
Gaston is a small, predominantly residential town in rural Delaware County, part of the Muncie Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its commercial footprint is limited to a Dollar General, an ice cream parlor called The Barking Cow, a funeral home, and a few small businesses. The town covers a compact area, meaning schools and civic uses like the volunteer fire department and police department are located near one another rather than on separated campuses. The homeownership rate is high, but the median household income sits well below the Indiana state median. Gaston’s population has been declining or flat for decades, peaking many years ago and falling since. No major employers are based in town; most residents likely commute to Muncie or other nearby areas for work. No public library or transit system was identified in Gaston; residents probably rely on Muncie for those services.
Wes-Del Elementary School serves kindergarten through fifth grade and is part of the Wes-Del Community Schools district. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. The district brief turned up no recent parent-relevant changes such as referendums, bond measures, curriculum shifts, or budget changes; the available record shows basic directory and demographic information only.
The student body is predominantly white, with a small share of Hispanic students and a small share of students who identify as two or more races. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Data on the share of students with an Individualized Education Program or who are English learners was not available.
On state testing, the school’s performance shows a mixed picture. In math, roughly half of students scored proficient or above, a level that sits above many schools in the state but below some others. In English language arts, about a third of students met the proficient benchmark, which is notably lower than the math result. In science, again about a third of students scored proficient. In social studies, which is tested only in fifth grade, the share of students reaching proficiency was higher, north of two-fifths. The overall proficiency across all tested subjects and grades places Wes-Del Elementary below the midpoint among districts in Delaware County. A parent may want to ask the school about the gap between math and English language arts performance and what supports are available for literacy.
No data was available on chronic absenteeism, discipline, or staffing ratios. Because the school serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report; that metric applies to high schools. Similarly, no program offerings such as advanced coursework, career pathways, or enrichment programs were reported, which is typical for an elementary school.
For a family considering this area, the housing context is important. Home values in the Gaston zip code are moderately below the state benchmark and well below the national benchmark, reflecting the area’s more modest economic base. Rents are a relatively small share of income compared to national norms, suggesting that housing costs are not as burdensome here as in many parts of the country.
Wes-Del Elementary serves a community that is small, rural, and economically modest. The school’s math results are a relative strength, while English language arts and science proficiency are areas where a parent may want to understand the school’s approach and any support programs in place. The student body is not diverse in racial or ethnic terms. The town itself offers limited commercial amenities and has seen population stagnation, but home values are affordable relative to much of Indiana and the nation. Families relocating here would likely look to Muncie for broader shopping, services, and employment.
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