Best Public Schools in Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso, Indiana is home to 23 schools serving students from elementary through high school across six districts, and the area is overwhelmingly high-performing: 12 of the 23 schools earn 5 stars and most rank above the 74th percentile statewide. Enrollment totals 10,682 students and is dominated by the high school level, led by Valparaiso High School, the largest school at 2,089 students, while Central Elementary School is the smallest at 131. Valparaiso Community Schools is the dominant district with 6,325 students, about 59% of all students here, and ranks 10th of 374 districts in the state.

The standout schools are concentrated at the top of the state rankings. Memorial Elementary School ranks 12th of 1,015 elementary schools, followed closely by Thomas Jefferson Elementary School at 16th and Heavilin Elementary School at 21st. Benjamin Franklin Middle School ranks 11th of 486 middle schools. Among high schools, Morgan Township Middle/High School ranks 11th of 415, Washington Township Middle/High School 20th, and Valparaiso High School 34th. All five high schools graduate students above the state average of 89.7%, led by Washington Township Middle/High at 100.0% and Valparaiso High at 99.4%.

The clearest divide is district-level. South Haven Elementary School and Paul Saylor Elementary School, both in Portage Township Schools, are the only schools below the 50th percentile and post the highest chronic absenteeism rates at 17.7% and 18.0%. Poverty does not automatically predict results: Thomas Jefferson Elementary has 52.28% free/reduced lunch yet ranks 16th of 1,015 with 85% math proficiency, while Parkview Elementary School has the highest FRL rate at 54.46% and still ranks 108th. Spending is not a reliable predictor either — Cooks Corners Elementary School spends the least at $8,529 per student yet ranks in the 94th percentile.