Gypsum based compositions, processes for making same, and articles made therefrom. In one example, the gypsum based composition can include about 1.5 wt % to about 3 wt % of a starch, about 11 wt % to about 14 wt % of a paper, about 0.7 wt % to about 2.3 wt % of vermiculite, about 1.3 wt % to about 3 wt % of a plurality of reinforcing fibers, about 7 wt % to about 10 wt % of a binding agent, about 2 wt % to about 4 wt % of perlite, and about 65 wt % to about 75 wt % of a calcium sulfate, where all weight percent values are based on a combined weight of the starch, paper, vermiculite, plurality of reinforcing fibers, binding agent, perlite, and calcium sulfate.