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Excellent

#163 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 9% in state

Union Center Elementary School

Elementary School · Union Township School Corp

272 N 600 W, Valparaiso, IN 46385

Enrollment

407

Student-Teacher

17.7:1

Score

8.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#163 of 1,823

In Valparaiso

#8 of 23

public schools

In district

#3 of 4

Union Township School Corp

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Union Center Elementary School

8.6/10

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

Union Township Middle School

9.0/10

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

Wheeler High School

7.7/10

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

About Union Center Elementary School

Union Center Elementary School is a public elementary school in Valparaiso, IN, part of Union Township School Corp. Union Center Elementary School serves approximately 407 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 17.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Union Center Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #163 of 1,823 schools in IN.

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

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 8.6 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.8
  • IN avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Union Center 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 Progress9.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.99 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71.7% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency63.4% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg+20.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+23.2 pts
Overall Proficiency68% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)61% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected+6.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
Resources & Environment6.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,501
Chronic Absenteeism3.9%

Union Center Elementary School — Students at Union Center Elementary School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

16%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 78.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
46.1% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 77.6% (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
94%
ELA
91%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2015
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2017
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2018
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2019
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2020*
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
73%
2025
Math
71.9%
ELA
63.5%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How Union Center Elementary School Compares

See how Union Center Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.6/10
91th percentile in IN
Academic
9.0/10
Excellent
Growth
9.2/10
Excellent
Environment
6.6/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
16%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
3.9%

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

272 N 600 W, Valparaiso, IN 46385

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Union Center Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. John Simatovich Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Jerry Ross Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Crown Point), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Porter Lakes Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Hebron), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Valparaiso, see our Valparaiso schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Union Township Middle School Valparaiso 0.4 mi 9.0
Wheeler High School Valparaiso 0.4 mi 7.7
John Simatovich Elementary School Valparaiso 2.9 mi 9.1
Hobart High School Hobart 4.1 mi 5.5
Porter Lakes Elementary School Hebron 5.0 mi 7.8
NORTHWEST ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Crown Point 4.4 mi
John Wood Elementary School Merrillville 4.1 mi 6.4
Boone Grove High School Valparaiso 5.4 mi 7.2
Portage High School Portage 5.5 mi 4.8
EMMANUEL BAPTIST ACADEMY Valparaiso 5.3 mi 7.9
Neighbors' New Vistas High School Portage 5.4 mi 6.5
South Haven Elementary School Valparaiso 5.3 mi 4.7
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hobart 4.9 mi 7.0
Jerry Ross Elementary School Crown Point 5.2 mi 8.7
Paul Saylor Elementary School Valparaiso 5.5 mi 2.9
Joan Martin Elementary School Hobart 5.0 mi 6.4
Liberty Elementary School Hobart 5.4 mi 5.5
George L Myers Elementary School Portage 6.2 mi 4.3
NATIVITY OF OUR SAVIOR/DIOCESE Portage 6.3 mi 7.7
Hobart Middle School Hobart 5.3 mi 5.6

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
Covington Elementary School Covington, IN 8.6
Eastern Hancock Elementary School Charlottesville, IN 8.6
Eisenhower Elementary School Warsaw, IN 8.6
Emerson Elementary School Seymour, IN 8.6
Grant Line Elementary School New Albany, IN 8.6
Haverhill Elementary School Fort Wayne, IN 8.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Union Center Elementary School

What grades does Union Center Elementary School serve?

Union Center Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Union Center Elementary School?

Union Center Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 407 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Union Center Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Union Center Elementary School is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Union Center Elementary School rank in IN?

Union Center Elementary School ranks #163 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Union Center Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Union Center Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 Union Center Elementary School?

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

Is Union Center Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Union Center Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Union Center Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Union Center Elementary School?

16.0% of students at Union Center 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
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
407
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
16.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Porter County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
3.9%

District

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

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