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Excellent

#58 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 3% 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

9.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#58 of 1,823

In Valparaiso

#4 of 23

public schools

In district

#1 of 4

Union Township School Corp

Equity

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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John Simatovich Elementary School

9.1/10

Elementary School in Valparaiso · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

South Haven Elementary School

4.7/10

2.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Emmanuel Baptist Academy

7.9/10

2.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About John Simatovich Elementary School

John Simatovich Elementary School is a public elementary school in Valparaiso, IN, part of Union Township School Corp. John Simatovich Elementary School serves approximately 237 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio. John Simatovich Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.1 out of 10 and ranks #58 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for John Simatovich Elementary School show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 9.1 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.8
  • IN avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

John Simatovich Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.23 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency69.8% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52.2% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg+18.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12 pts
Overall Proficiency61% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected+17.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
Resources & Environment9.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,501
Chronic Absenteeism13.1%

John Simatovich Elementary School — Students at John Simatovich Elementary School score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 77.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
46.1% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 70.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 37 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2013
Math
97.5%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2017
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2018
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2020*
Math
62%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
72%
2025
Math
70.4%
ELA
52.5%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How John Simatovich Elementary School Compares

See how John Simatovich Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.1/10
97th percentile in IN
Academic
9.3/10
Excellent
Growth
8.9/10
Excellent
Environment
9.4/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Union Center Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 2.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Memorial Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 4.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Cooks Corners Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 4.3 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 4.7
EMMANUEL BAPTIST ACADEMY Valparaiso 2.6 mi 7.9
Paul Saylor Elementary School Valparaiso 2.7 mi 2.9
Wheeler High School Valparaiso 2.5 mi 7.7
Union Township Middle School Valparaiso 2.5 mi 9.0
Union Center Elementary School Valparaiso 2.9 mi 8.6
Portage High School Portage 3.3 mi 4.8
NATIVITY OF OUR SAVIOR/DIOCESE Portage 4.5 mi 7.7
Rowena Kyle Elementary School Portage 4.7 mi 4.1
ST PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Valparaiso 3.8 mi 6.6
Central Elementary School Portage 4.9 mi 3.3
Ethel R Jones Elementary School Portage 5.3 mi 4.7
Neighbors' New Vistas High School Portage 4.4 mi 6.5
George L Myers Elementary School Portage 4.8 mi 4.3
Willowcreek Middle School Portage 5.2 mi 3.9
Wallace Aylesworth Elementary Portage 5.2 mi 3.3
Memorial Elementary School Valparaiso 4.5 mi 8.4
Valparaiso High School Valparaiso 4.3 mi 7.9
Cooks Corners Elementary School Valparaiso 4.3 mi 8.0
William Fegely Middle School Portage 5.1 mi 4.0

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Ferdinand Elementary School Ferdinand, IN 9.1
James A Allison Elementary Sch 3 Speedway, IN 9.1
Sugar Creek Elementary School Crawfordsville, IN 9.1
Arcola School Arcola, IN 9.0
Carl G Fisher Elementary School 1 Speedway, IN 9.2
Deerfield Elementary School Ridgeville, IN 9.0

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 ranks #58 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is John Simatovich Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

John Simatovich Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.1 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 John Simatovich Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, John Simatovich Elementary School has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.1%

District

Union Township School Corp
District Enrollment
1,374
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,501
District Rank
#1 of 4

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