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Average

#1298 of 1,823 schools in IN

Northern Heights Elementary School

Elementary School · Whitley County Con Schools

5209 N SR 109, Columbia City, IN 46725

Enrollment

519

Student-Teacher

15.7:1

Score

5.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Columbia City

#4 of 6

public schools

Indiana elementary schools

#764 of 1,047

In district

#4 of 6

Whitley County Con Schools

About Northern Heights Elementary School

Northern Heights Elementary School serves 519 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Columbia City, Indiana. With 33 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.7:1, providing students with solid individualized attention in their early academic years. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #392 out of 1,831 Indiana elementary schools, placing it in the 79th percentile statewide.

With an academic score of 8.1 out of 10, Northern Heights shows particular strength in mathematics, where 56% of students across all grade levels perform at proficient or above levels. Located at 5209 N SR 109 in Whitley County, the school serves families in a stable community where the median household income reaches $73,891 and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 7.6%. The surrounding neighborhood features a median home value of $196,500, with 25% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

Northern Heights Elementary provides students with a solid educational foundation in a rural setting, where the pace of small-town life allows for close community connections and personalized learning experiences.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Northern Heights 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.69 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.6%
Math vs. State Avg0 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.4 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-4.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,149

Northern Heights Elementary School — Students at Northern Heights Elementary School score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 54.2%
School
State
46.1%
ELA Proficiency 44.5%
School
State
40.8%

Based on 15 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
63%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
54%
ELA
43%
2022
Math
56%
2025
Math
51.5%
ELA
42.7%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Northern Heights Elementary School Compares

See how Northern Heights Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
29th percentile in IN
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
5.0/10
Above average
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

5209 N SR 109, Columbia City, IN 46725

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northern Heights Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. South Whitley Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby South Whitley), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central Noble Primary School (rated 6.8/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Wolf Lake), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Coesse School (rated 6.8/10, 9.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia City, see our Columbia City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.0 mi
School Distance Rating
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Albion 4.6 mi 3.8
Mary Raber Elementary School Columbia City 5.6 mi 4.7
FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Columbia City 5.6 mi
Central Noble Primary School Wolf Lake 6.7 mi 6.8
Columbia City High School Columbia City 6.9 mi 6.6
Indian Springs Middle School Columbia City 7.2 mi 4.7
T.R.O.Y. CENTER Columbia City 7.0 mi 6.6
Little Turtle Elementary School Columbia City 7.2 mi 6.4
Coesse School Columbia City 9.1 mi 6.8
CLEVELAND AMISH SCHOOL South Whitley 10.4 mi
Churubusco Jr-Sr High School Churubusco 8.9 mi 4.1
Churubusco Elementary School Churubusco 8.9 mi 6.4
Central Noble Elementary School Albion 11.6 mi 5.2
Central Noble Junior Senior HS Albion 11.7 mi 6.6
PIERCETON WOODS ACADEMY Pierceton 10.6 mi 7.7
West Noble High School Ligonier 13.7 mi 7.8
South Whitley Elementary School South Whitley 13.0 mi 8.4
West Noble Middle School Ligonier 13.9 mi 7.0
Whitko Jr/Sr High School South Whitley 13.1 mi 5.8
West Noble Elementary School Ligonier 14.0 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46725 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,214

Median Home Value

$216,700

Median Rent

$907/mo

Population

22,941

College Educated

24.7%

Homeownership

79.3%

Avg Commute

21.7 min

Poverty Rate

8.8%

Median Age

42.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Northern Heights Elementary School has a median household income of $76,214. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $216,700, with a median rent of $907/month. The local poverty rate of 8.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Carroll Elementary School Flora, IN 5.4
Clifty Creek Elementary School Columbus, IN 5.4
Clinton Young Elementary School Indianapolis, IN 5.4
East Chicago Lighthouse East Chicago, IN 5.4
Eastbrook Elementary School Indianapolis, IN 5.4
Glen Acres Elementary School Lafayette, IN 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northern Heights Elementary School

What grades does Northern Heights Elementary School serve?

Northern Heights Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Northern Heights Elementary School?

Northern Heights Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 519 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northern Heights Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Northern Heights Elementary School is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northern Heights Elementary School rank in IN?

Northern Heights Elementary School is ranked #1298 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Northern Heights Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Northern Heights Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Northern Heights Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northern Heights Elementary School has 54.2% math proficiency and 44.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Northern Heights Elementary School a charter school?

No, Northern Heights Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Northern Heights Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Northern Heights Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northern Heights Elementary School?

31.0% of students at Northern Heights 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

City Safety
Elevated (1,001/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia City). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
519
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
31.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Whitley County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Whitley County Con Schools
District Enrollment
3,690
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,015
District Rank
#4 of 6

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 methodology

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