Needs Improvement
#1740 of 1,823 schools in IN
Valley Mills Elementary School
Elementary School · MSD Decatur Township
5101 S High School Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46221
Enrollment
581
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
3.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
581
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
3.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Indiana schools
#1,740 of 1,823
In Indianapolis
#203 of 222
public schools
In district
#8 of 8
MSD Decatur Township
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Valley Mills Elementary School
Elementary School in Indianapolis · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Decatur Middle School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Decatur Central High School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Valley Mills Elementary School
Valley Mills Elementary School is a public elementary school in Indianapolis, IN, part of MSD Decatur Township. Valley Mills Elementary School serves approximately 581 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Valley Mills Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,740 of 1,823 schools in IN.
Structured state assessment records for Valley Mills Elementary School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.1
- IN avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
43% of students at Valley Mills Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Valley Mills Elementary School — Students at Valley Mills Elementary School score 23% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
82.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 40 test records from IN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 2.0/10.
How Valley Mills Elementary School Compares
See how Valley Mills Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
5101 S High School Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46221
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Valley Mills Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. McClelland Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rosa Parks Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 4.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Madison Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Camby), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Indianapolis, see our Indianapolis schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.5 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46221 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,316
Median Home Value
$174,900
Median Rent
$1,111/mo
Population
26,255
College Educated
16.2%
Homeownership
60.8%
Avg Commute
25.4 min
Poverty Rate
16%
Median Age
34.2
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Emmons Elementary School Mishawaka, IN | 3.1 |
| Farrington Grove Elementary School Terre Haute, IN | 3.1 |
| Joseph Hess Elementary School Hammond, IN | 3.1 |
| Longfellow New Tech Elementary Sch Gary, IN | 3.1 |
| Merle J Abbett Elementary School Fort Wayne, IN | 3.1 |
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary School Hammond, IN | 3.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Valley Mills Elementary School
What grades does Valley Mills Elementary School serve?
Valley Mills Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Valley Mills Elementary School?
Valley Mills Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 581 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Valley Mills Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Valley Mills Elementary School is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Valley Mills Elementary School rank in IN?
Valley Mills Elementary School ranks #1,740 of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Valley Mills Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Valley Mills Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 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 Valley Mills Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Valley Mills Elementary School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Valley Mills Elementary School a charter school?
No, Valley Mills Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Valley Mills Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Valley Mills Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Valley Mills Elementary School?
82.8% of students at Valley Mills 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 581
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 82.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Marion County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 43.4%
- Phone
- (317) 856-6363
Resources & Links
District
MSD Decatur Township- District Enrollment
- 6,655
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,193
- District Rank
- #8 of 8
Other Schools in This District
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