Excellent
#135 of 1,823 schools in IN
Top 7% in state
Central Elementary School
Elementary School · Valparaiso Community Schools · Valparaiso, IN
A Valparaiso Community Schools elementary school where students score 27 points above what's typical for similar communities.
653 Hayes Leonard Rd, Valparaiso, IN 46385
- Math 79% vs IN 46% (2025)
- Reading 62% vs IN 41% (2025)
- 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Central Elementary School score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
2025 ILEARN proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. IN average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 6 points since 2020, reaching 71% in 2025.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 80% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 75% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 37 test records from IN state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
43.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Central Elementary School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Chicago map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 89Very Walkable
- Transit 23Minimal Transit
- Bike 60Bikeable
- City Safety: Elevated874/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Valparaiso), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$97,208
Median home value
$305,400
Median rent
$1,225/mo
College educated
34.3%
Homeownership
87.9%
Poverty rate
7.4%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 46385; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memorial Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 8.4 | K–5 | 0.7 mi | 470 | Compare → |
| Northview Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 9.2 | K–5 | 0.8 mi | 280 | Compare → |
| Parkview Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 8.5 | K–5 | 0.9 mi | 225 | Compare → |
| Thomas Jefferson Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 9.2 | K–5 | 1.2 mi | 293 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Valparaiso Community Schools
- Schools in district
- 11
- Rank in district
- #4 of 11
- District spending per student
- $11,533NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 7.9%Census SAIPE · 2024
Central Elementary School is listed in Valparaiso Community Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Central Elementary School
Central Elementary School is a public elementary school in Valparaiso, IN, part of Valparaiso Community Schools, serving approximately 130 students in grades Kindergarten-5th with a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #135 of 1,823 schools in IN. State assessment records show 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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 ranks #135 of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Central Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Elementary School has 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 130
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Porter County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 17.7%
- Phone
- (219) 531-3030
- Area population (ZIP 46385)
- 41,390
- Area average commute
- 30.5 min
- Area median age
- 43.2
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 ILEARN · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 ILEARN. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 ILEARN · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 ILEARN. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 46385; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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