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Very Good

#382 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 21% in state

Wheeler High School

High School · Union Township School Corp

587 W 300 N, Valparaiso, IN 46385

Enrollment

417

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

7.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Valparaiso

#11 of 23

public schools

Indiana high schools

#71 of 388

In district

#3 of 4

Union Township School Corp

School environment

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Wheeler High School

Wheeler High School serves 417 students in grades 9-12 in Valparaiso, Indiana, earning a solid 7.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #332 out of 1,831 high schools statewide, placing it in the 82nd percentile. The school maintains an intimate learning environment with a favorable 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio and 36 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Wheeler High School demonstrates strong performance with a 7.1 out of 10 academic score.

In mathematics, 47% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels, reflecting the school's commitment to helping students master essential skills. This performance aligns well with the school's supportive educational atmosphere. The school serves a community characterized by stability and educational value, with families in the surrounding 46385 ZIP code area enjoying a median household income of $95,350 and median home values of $285,100.

About 35% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains low at 7.4% among the ZIP code's 41,304 residents. Wheeler High School provides a close-knit educational experience in Porter County's rural setting near Valparaiso, where students benefit from personalized attention and the advantages of a strong, economically stable community.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Wheeler High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics7.7Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected+0.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
College Readiness5.6Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation13.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,353

Wheeler High School — Students at Wheeler High School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

26.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 50.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 62.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 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
47%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
47%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Wheeler High School Compares

See how Wheeler High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
79th percentile in IN
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

Location

587 W 300 N, Valparaiso, IN 46385

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wheeler High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Neighbors' New Vistas High School (rated 7.4/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Portage), with a very similar rating. Another option is Boone Grove High School (rated 5.4/10, 5.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Hobart High School (rated 4.4/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Hobart), a more accessible option. For more schools in Valparaiso, see our Valparaiso schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Union Township Middle School Valparaiso 0.1 mi 8.2
Union Center Elementary School Valparaiso 0.4 mi 7.3
John Simatovich Elementary School Valparaiso 2.5 mi 7.7
Hobart High School Hobart 3.9 mi 4.4
EMMANUEL BAPTIST ACADEMY Valparaiso 4.9 mi 7.9
South Haven Elementary School Valparaiso 4.9 mi 6.7
Portage High School Portage 5.1 mi 4.3
Neighbors' New Vistas High School Portage 5.1 mi 7.4
Porter Lakes Elementary School Hebron 5.3 mi 8.3
Paul Saylor Elementary School Valparaiso 5.1 mi 4.5
NORTHWEST ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Crown Point 4.8 mi
John Wood Elementary School Merrillville 4.3 mi 5.1
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hobart 4.8 mi 7.0
Boone Grove High School Valparaiso 5.8 mi 5.4
NATIVITY OF OUR SAVIOR/DIOCESE Portage 6.0 mi 7.7
George L Myers Elementary School Portage 5.9 mi 4.1
Liberty Elementary School Hobart 5.3 mi 7.4
Joan Martin Elementary School Hobart 5.0 mi 5.2
Jerry Ross Elementary School Crown Point 5.6 mi 6.5
Central Elementary School Portage 6.3 mi 3.7

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 Wheeler High 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
KIPP Indy Legacy High Indianapolis, IN 7.6
North Posey High School Poseyville, IN 7.6
Shenandoah High School Middletown, IN 7.6
Frontier Jr-Sr High School Chalmers, IN 7.5
Parke Heritage High School Rockville, IN 7.5
Southridge High School Huntingburg, IN 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wheeler High School

What grades does Wheeler High School serve?

Wheeler High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Wheeler High School?

Wheeler High School has an enrollment of approximately 417 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wheeler High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Wheeler High School is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wheeler High School rank in IN?

Wheeler High School is ranked #382 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Wheeler High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Wheeler High School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Wheeler High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wheeler High School has 50.3% math proficiency and 62.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Wheeler High School a charter school?

No, Wheeler High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Wheeler High School a Title I school?

No, Wheeler High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wheeler High School?

26.6% of students at Wheeler High 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
7 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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
417
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
26.6%
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
#3 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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