Very Good
#341 of 1,823 schools in IN
Top 19% in state
John Simatovich Elementary School
Elementary School · Union Township School Corp
424 W 500 N, Valparaiso, IN 46385
Enrollment
237
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
237
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Valparaiso
#9 of 23
public schools
Indiana elementary schools
#235 of 1,047
In district
#2 of 4
Union Township School Corp
Equity
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About John Simatovich Elementary School
John Simatovich Elementary School stands out as one of Indiana's top-performing elementary schools, serving 237 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Valparaiso. With an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranking #7 among all 1,831 elementary schools statewide, this public school has earned recognition in the 100th percentile for academic excellence. The school maintains a favorable learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 12.5 to 1, supported by 19 full-time equivalent teachers.
Academic achievement is particularly strong, with an outstanding academic score of 9.5 out of 10 and 72% of students demonstrating proficiency or above in mathematics across all grade levels. Located in the 46385 ZIP code area, the school serves a stable community where the median household income reaches $95,350 and the median home value is $285,100. With 35% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 7.4%, the surrounding community of over 41,000 residents provides strong educational support.
John Simatovich Elementary is situated in a rural setting near town, offering students a peaceful learning environment while maintaining access to community resources.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, John Simatovich Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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John Simatovich Elementary School — Students at John Simatovich Elementary School score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.3%
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
↓ 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: 6.2/10.
How John Simatovich Elementary School Compares
See how John Simatovich Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 69.85% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 52.21% (2025).
Location
424 W 500 N, Valparaiso, IN 46385
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering John Simatovich Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. NATIVITY OF OUR SAVIOR/DIOCESE (rated 7.7/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Portage), with a very similar rating. Another option is Memorial Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 4.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Union Center Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 2.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Valparaiso, see our Valparaiso schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| South Haven Elementary School Valparaiso | 2.6 mi | 6.7 |
| EMMANUEL BAPTIST ACADEMY Valparaiso | 2.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Paul Saylor Elementary School Valparaiso | 2.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Wheeler High School Valparaiso | 2.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Union Township Middle School Valparaiso | 2.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Union Center Elementary School Valparaiso | 2.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Portage High School Portage | 3.3 mi | 4.3 |
| NATIVITY OF OUR SAVIOR/DIOCESE Portage | 4.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Rowena Kyle Elementary School Portage | 4.7 mi | 5.1 |
| ST PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Valparaiso | 3.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Central Elementary School Portage | 4.9 mi | 3.7 |
| Ethel R Jones Elementary School Portage | 5.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Neighbors' New Vistas High School Portage | 4.4 mi | 7.4 |
| George L Myers Elementary School Portage | 4.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Willowcreek Middle School Portage | 5.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Wallace Aylesworth Elementary Portage | 5.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Memorial Elementary School Valparaiso | 4.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Valparaiso High School Valparaiso | 4.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Cooks Corners Elementary School Valparaiso | 4.3 mi | 5.6 |
| William Fegely Middle School Portage | 5.1 mi | 4.1 |
Neighborhood 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 John Simatovich 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 |
|---|---|
| Andrews Elementary School Andrews, IN | 7.7 |
| Elberfeld Elementary School Elberfeld, IN | 7.7 |
| HOLY FAMILY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL South Bend, IN | 7.7 |
| NATIVITY OF OUR SAVIOR/DIOCESE Portage, IN | 7.7 |
| Prairie View Elementary School Rolling Prairie, IN | 7.7 |
| Ralph Waldo Emerson School 58 Indianapolis, IN | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about John Simatovich Elementary School
What grades does John Simatovich Elementary School serve?
John Simatovich Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend John Simatovich Elementary School?
John Simatovich Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 237 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at John Simatovich Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at John Simatovich Elementary School is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does John Simatovich Elementary School rank in IN?
John Simatovich Elementary School is ranked #341 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is John Simatovich Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
John Simatovich Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 John Simatovich Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, John Simatovich Elementary School has 70.4% math proficiency and 53.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is John Simatovich Elementary School a charter school?
No, John Simatovich Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is John Simatovich Elementary School a Title I school?
No, John Simatovich Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John Simatovich Elementary School?
44.3% of students at John Simatovich 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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Valparaiso). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 237
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Porter County
- Phone
- (219) 759-2508
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Union Township School Corp- District Enrollment
- 1,374
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,501
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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
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