Excellent
#135 of 1,823 schools in IN
Top 7% 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
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
130
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Indiana schools
#135 of 1,823
In Valparaiso
#7 of 23
public schools
In district
#4 of 11
Valparaiso Community Schools
Equity
9.9 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Central Elementary School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Central Elementary School
Elementary School in Valparaiso · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Benjamin Franklin Middle School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Northview Elementary School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Central Elementary School
Central Elementary School is a public elementary school in Valparaiso, IN, part of Valparaiso Community Schools. Central Elementary School serves approximately 130 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #135 of 1,823 schools in IN.
Structured state assessment records for Central Elementary School show 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.7 · Excellent
- District avg 8.7
- IN avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
At 130 students, Central Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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 37 test records from IN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 8.8/10.
How Central Elementary School Compares
See how Central Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Northview Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Thomas Jefferson Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Heavilin Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Evansville, IN | 8.7 |
| QUEEN OF ANGELS SCHOOL Fort Wayne, IN | 8.7 |
| ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Muncie, IN | 8.7 |
| Indy Steam Academy Indianapolis, IN | 8.6 |
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL South Bend, IN | 8.6 |
| Eden Elementary School Greenfield, IN | 8.8 |
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 17.7%
- Phone
- (219) 531-3030
Resources & Links
District
Valparaiso Community Schools- District Enrollment
- 6,441
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,533
- District Rank
- #4 of 11
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 rateRelated 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.