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Very Good

#320 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 18% in state

South Central Elementary School

Elementary School · South Central Com School Corp

9808 S 600 W, Union Mills, IN 46382

Enrollment

507

Student-Teacher

20.3:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Union Mills

#1 of 2

public schools

Indiana elementary schools

#221 of 1,047

In district

#1 of 2

South Central Com School Corp

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About South Central Elementary School

South Central Elementary School is a public elementary school in Union Mills, Indiana, located in LaPorte County. With an enrollment of 507 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20.3:1, the school provides a variety of educational programs from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. The school is staffed by 25 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support each child’s academic journey.

South Central Elementary School's academic performance shows room for growth, with state rankings placing it in the 49th percentile among Indiana schools. Students perform at a rate of 30% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 39% proficient or above in Math, though proficiency rates are very low in Science at just 1%. Despite these challenges, the school remains committed to fostering an environment where every student can achieve academic success.

The setting is rural, offering a close-knit community atmosphere. South Central Elementary School serves students in a quiet and supportive neighborhood, providing a nurturing educational experience for young learners.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at South Central Elementary School is 20.3:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, South Central 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 Progress9.6Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.85 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.1%
Math vs. State Avg+16.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.9 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected+5.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,156

South Central Elementary School — Students at South Central Elementary School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 62.4%
School
State
44.9%
ELA Proficiency 45.5%
School
State
40.7%

Based on 18 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
48%
ELA
46%
2021*
Math
48%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
61%
2025
Math
68.4%
ELA
46.1%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How South Central Elementary School Compares

See how South Central Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
83th percentile in IN
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
2.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

9808 S 600 W, Union Mills, IN 46382

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Kingsford Heights Elementary Sch (rated 9.5/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Kingsford Heights), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jackson Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Valparaiso), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Handley Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Laporte), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Union Mills, see our Union Mills schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.5 mi
School Distance Rating
South Central Jr-Sr High School Union Mills 0.0 mi 6.3
Tri-Township Elementary School Wanatah 4.8 mi 7.3
Westville Elementary School Westville 6.7 mi 5.1
Westville High School Westville 6.7 mi 5.9
Kingsford Heights Elementary Sch Kingsford Heights 6.4 mi 9.5
Kingsbury Elementary School Laporte 7.6 mi 6.2
Kesling Intermediate School Laporte 10.0 mi 7.2
LaPorte Middle School Laporte 10.0 mi 8.2
Handley Elementary School Laporte 10.3 mi 8.8
LaPorte High School Laporte 10.5 mi 6.8
Tri-Township Jr.-Sr. High School Lacrosse 10.9 mi 5.2
Riley Elementary School Laporte 11.2 mi 5.3
ST JOHNS LUTHERM SCHOOL Laporte 10.9 mi 7.0
Lincoln Elementary School Laporte 11.3 mi 6.0
Washington Twp Elementary School Valparaiso 9.2 mi 3.8
LaPorte Juvenile Correctional Laporte 12.2 mi 7.1
Washington Twp Middle/High School Valparaiso 9.3 mi 7.8
F Willard Crichfield Elementary Laporte 12.5 mi 6.9
Hailmann Elementary School Laporte 11.7 mi 7.2
Jackson Elementary School Valparaiso 10.5 mi 9.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46382 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$95,278

Median Home Value

$190,900

Population

1,833

College Educated

14.9%

Homeownership

100%

Avg Commute

35 min

Poverty Rate

2.8%

Median Age

53.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Central Elementary School has a median household income of $95,278. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $190,900. The local poverty rate of 2.8% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Central Elementary School Clinton, IN 7.7
Clay City Elementary School Clay City, IN 7.7
Eagle Elementary School Brownsburg, IN 7.7
Floyds Knobs Elementary School Floyds Knobs, IN 7.7
Forest Dale Elementary School Carmel, IN 7.7
Fox Hill Elementary School Indianapolis, IN 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Central Elementary School

What grades does South Central Elementary School serve?

South Central Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend South Central Elementary School?

South Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 507 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Central Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at South Central Elementary School is 20.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Central Elementary School rank in IN?

South Central Elementary School is ranked #320 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is South Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Central 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 South Central Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Central Elementary School has 62.4% math proficiency and 45.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Central Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is South Central Elementary School a Title I school?

No, South Central Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Central Elementary School?

30.4% of students at South 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
507
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
LaPorte County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

South Central Com School Corp
District Enrollment
972
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,103
District Rank
#1 of 2

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 methodology

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