Excellent
#55 of 1,823 schools in IN
Top 3% in state
Central Elementary School
Elementary School · Valparaiso Community Schools
653 Hayes Leonard Rd, Valparaiso, IN 46385
Enrollment
130
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
130
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Valparaiso
#3 of 23
public schools
Indiana elementary schools
#40 of 1,047
In district
#2 of 11
Valparaiso Community Schools
Equity
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Central Elementary School
Central Elementary School is a public elementary school in Valparaiso, IN, part of the Valparaiso Community Schools. The school serves approximately 130 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.9/10, placing it in the 97th percentile among IN schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 74% proficiency in math, 28 points above the state average and 62% in reading/language arts, 21 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.3/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $97,208, where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a small suburban setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 130 students, Central Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Central Elementary School — Students at Central Elementary School score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 15 test records from IN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.3/10.
How Central Elementary School Compares
See how Central Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 72% (2019) to 79.17% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 62.5% (2025).
Location
653 Hayes Leonard Rd, Valparaiso, IN 46385
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Parkview Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Northview Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Flint Lake Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 2.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Valparaiso, see our Valparaiso schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.8 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46385 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$97,208
Median Home Value
$305,400
Median Rent
$1,225/mo
Population
41,390
College Educated
34.3%
Homeownership
87.9%
Avg Commute
30.5 min
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Median Age
43.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Elementary School has a median household income of $97,208. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $305,400, with a median rent of $1,225/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ABC LEARNING CENTRE, INC (DBA ABC-STEWART SCHOOL) Columbus, IN | 8.9 |
| Eminence Elementary School Eminence, IN | 8.9 |
| Carl G Fisher Elementary School 1 Speedway, IN | 9.0 |
| ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Schererville, IN | 8.8 |
| BLOOMINGTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bloomington, IN | 9.1 |
| Hamilton Community Elementary Sch Hamilton, IN | 9.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Elementary School
What grades does Central Elementary School serve?
Central Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Central Elementary School?
Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 130 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Elementary School rank in IN?
Central Elementary School is ranked #55 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Central Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary School has 74.0% math proficiency and 62.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central Elementary School a charter school?
No, Central Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Central Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elementary School?
43.8% of students at Central Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 89 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 23 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 60 Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (874/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Valparaiso). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 130
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 43.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Porter County
- Phone
- (219) 531-3030
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Valparaiso Community Schools- District Enrollment
- 6,441
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,533
- District Rank
- #2 of 11
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.