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Very Good

#516 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 28% 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

7.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Valparaiso

#14 of 23

public schools

Indiana elementary schools

#343 of 1,047

In district

#4 of 4

Union Township School Corp

Equity

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Union Center Elementary School

Union Center Elementary School serves 407 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Valparaiso, Indiana. With 23 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1, providing a manageable classroom environment for individualized attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranking #171 out of 1,831 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 91st percentile.

This excellent standing is supported by an impressive academic score of 9.6 out of 10. In mathematics, 73% of students across all grade levels achieve proficient or above ratings, reflecting the school's commitment to academic excellence. Union Center Elementary is situated in Porter County's 46385 ZIP code area, where families enjoy a median household income of $95,350 and median home values of $285,100.

The community shows strong educational values, with 35% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a low poverty rate of just 7.4%. With a ZIP code population of 41,304, the area provides a stable foundation for student learning. The school is nestled in a rural setting near town, offering students the benefits of a peaceful learning environment while maintaining access to community resources and amenities.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Union Center 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 Progress7.5Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.46 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency63.4%
Math vs. State Avg+20.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+23.2 pts
Overall Proficiency68%
Expected (poverty-adj.)61%
vs. Expected+6.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,353

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 69.9%
School
State
46.1%
ELA Proficiency 64.6%
School
State
40.8%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
72%
ELA
72%
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: 7.5/10.

How Union Center Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
72th percentile in IN
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
4.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
16%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

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. Porter Lakes Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Hebron), which scores notably higher. Another option is John Simatovich Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, NATIVITY OF OUR SAVIOR/DIOCESE (rated 7.7/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Portage), which scores slightly higher. 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 8.2
Wheeler High School Valparaiso 0.4 mi 7.6
John Simatovich Elementary School Valparaiso 2.9 mi 7.7
Hobart High School Hobart 4.1 mi 4.4
Porter Lakes Elementary School Hebron 5.0 mi 8.3
NORTHWEST ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Crown Point 4.4 mi
John Wood Elementary School Merrillville 4.1 mi 5.1
Boone Grove High School Valparaiso 5.4 mi 5.4
Portage High School Portage 5.5 mi 4.3
EMMANUEL BAPTIST ACADEMY Valparaiso 5.3 mi 7.9
Neighbors' New Vistas High School Portage 5.4 mi 7.4
South Haven Elementary School Valparaiso 5.3 mi 6.7
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hobart 4.9 mi 7.0
Jerry Ross Elementary School Crown Point 5.2 mi 6.5
Paul Saylor Elementary School Valparaiso 5.5 mi 4.5
Joan Martin Elementary School Hobart 5.0 mi 5.2
Liberty Elementary School Hobart 5.4 mi 7.4
George L Myers Elementary School Portage 6.2 mi 4.1
NATIVITY OF OUR SAVIOR/DIOCESE Portage 6.3 mi 7.7
Hobart Middle School Hobart 5.3 mi 5.8

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 Union Center 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
Central Elementary School Lebanon, IN 7.3
Dayton Elementary School Dayton, IN 7.3
Eaton Elementary School Eaton, IN 7.3
Elsie Rogers Elementary School Mishawaka, IN 7.3
Kankakee Valley Intermediate Sch Wheatfield, IN 7.3
Lakeside Elementary School Indianapolis, IN 7.3

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 is ranked #516 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Union Center Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Union Center Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Union Center Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Union Center Elementary School has 69.9% math proficiency and 64.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
Elevated (874/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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