Skip to main content

Average

#1047 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

6.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Indianapolis

#104 of 222

public schools

Indiana elementary schools

#638 of 1,047

In district

#5 of 8

MSD Decatur Township

About Valley Mills Elementary School

Valley Mills Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 581 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1 with 38 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is situated in a large city setting within Marion County.

Valley Mills Elementary School focuses on supporting its diverse community of learners. With a MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10, the school is ranked at #1283 among 1831 schools in Indiana, placing it around the 30th percentile. Academically, students show proficiency rates of 18% in ELA/reading and 19% in math, with science scores currently showing no proficient or above percentages.

While there is room for academic growth at Valley Mills Elementary School, its supportive environment aims to foster student development through dedicated teaching staff and community resources. The school's location within a bustling city offers students access to various cultural and educational opportunities outside the classroom as well.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.3%
Math vs. State Avg-30.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.9 pts
Overall Proficiency23%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected+2.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.5Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,052

Valley Mills Elementary School — Students at Valley Mills Elementary School score 23% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

82.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 23.0%
School
State
44.9%
ELA Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
40.7%

Based on 18 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
29%
ELA
29%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
21%
2025
Math
21.5%
ELA
24.2%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Valley Mills Elementary School Compares

See how Valley Mills Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
43th percentile in IN
Academic
5.1/10
5.1/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
6.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

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 8.5/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rhoades Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 5.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Gold Academy (rated 6.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Indianapolis, see our Indianapolis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Decatur Middle School Indianapolis 0.1 mi 6.2
Decatur Central High School Indianapolis 0.3 mi 6.5
Damar Charter Academy Indianapolis 1.0 mi 5.3
Blue Academy Indianapolis 1.2 mi 6.4
Gold Academy Indianapolis 1.2 mi 6.7
Lynwood Elementary Indianapolis 2.1 mi 4.1
West Newton Elementary School West Newton 2.6 mi 5.8
Lynhurst 7th & 8th Grade Center Indianapolis 2.8 mi 4.1
Stephen Decatur Elementary School Indianapolis 2.6 mi 4.5
Achieve Virtual Education Academy Indianapolis 3.4 mi 4.1
Stout Field Elementary School Indianapolis 3.7 mi 5.7
Maplewood Elementary School Indianapolis 4.0 mi 6.7
McClelland Elementary School Indianapolis 4.3 mi 8.5
Ben Davis University High School Indianapolis 4.3 mi 7.4
ISLAMIC ACADEMY OF INDIANAPOLIS Indianapolis 4.5 mi 5.5
Rosa Parks Elementary School Indianapolis 4.1 mi 4.4
Rhoades Elementary School Indianapolis 5.0 mi 7.1
Garden City Elementary School Indianapolis 5.3 mi 3.7
Bridgeport Elementary School Indianapolis 5.0 mi 4.3
North Madison Elementary School Camby 5.5 mi 5.5

Neighborhood 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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Valley Mills Elementary School has a median household income of $58,316. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $174,900, with a median rent of $1,111/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.0%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Allisonville Elementary School Indianapolis, IN 6.0
Batesville Primary School Batesville, IN 6.0
Battle Ground Elementary School Battle Ground, IN 6.0
Break-O-Day Elementary School New Whiteland, IN 6.0
Caston Elementary School Rochester, IN 6.0
Dixie Bee Elementary School Terre Haute, IN 6.0

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 is ranked #1047 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Valley Mills Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Valley Mills Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Valley Mills Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Valley Mills Elementary School has 23.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (4,237/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

MSD Decatur Township
District Enrollment
6,655
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,193
District Rank
#5 of 8

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.