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Northern Heights Elementary School

Q: Is Northern Heights Elementary School a good school?

Northern Heights Elementary School ranks 368 th of 1015 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

368^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,015 Indiana Elementary Schools

Better than 64% of Indiana elementary schools

Summary

Northern Heights Elementary School is a K–5 school of 504 students located on State Route 109 just north of Columbia City, Indiana, in the Whitley County Con Schools district, and it ranked 368th of 1,015 Indiana elementary schools — the 64th percentile, with 3 stars — in 2025–2026. Its record over ten ranking years is remarkably steady: the school has never fallen below the 59th percentile, peaked at the 78th, and averages around the 69th percentile, typically landing slightly above its own district's 60th-percentile standing.

The standout number for parents is attendance. Chronic absenteeism at Northern Heights Elementary School was 2.7% in 2024–2025 — roughly one-sixth of the state rate (16.7%) and a third of its district's 8.1% — and it has improved four years in a row, the lowest in its comparison group apart from Churubusco Elementary School (0.0%). Math is the academic engine: all-grades ILEARN math proficiency is 55.64%, versus 40.68% district-wide, and ahead of every school in its own district (Coesse School at 45.07%, Little Turtle Elementary School at 48.16%, and Mary Raber Elementary School at 32.67%). It does this on $9,869 per student, the second-lowest budget in the comparison set, with a student–teacher ratio that has tightened to 15.1.

Two things temper the picture. First, results are lopsided: Northern Heights trails Coesse School in ELA (46.30 vs 50.70) and science (44.94 vs 46.70), and its weakest core result is 4th-grade math at 41.57% against a 52% state figure; 5th-grade ELA and social studies also sit slightly below state averages. Second, the school slipped from the 77th percentile and 4 stars in 2023–2024 to the 59th percentile in 2024–2025 before rebounding to the 64th — an assessment-driven dip, since attendance kept improving throughout. Two nearby benchmarks suggest room to grow: Churubusco Elementary School, a near demographic twin about 9 miles away, outperforms across the board, while South Whitley Elementary School reached the 94th percentile and 5 stars despite serving a higher-poverty population.

504

Students ?

15.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,532

Per pupil spending ?

30.0%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

90.4%

Kindergartners vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) (2025-26)

5209 N Sr 109
Columbia City, IN 46725

(260) 691-2371

District: Whitley County Con Schools

Students who attend Northern Heights Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Indian Springs Middle School
High:	Columbia City High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

92.7%

Two or more races:

3.6%

Hispanic:

3.2%

See top rated Indiana elementary schools

Compare Northern Heights Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 78th percentile in 2016 → 64th in 2026

Strengths

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Whitley County Con Schools

✓Above the Indiana median (64th percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 14 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school49%

District avg43%

Indiana avg47%

368^th of 1,015

Indiana public elementary schools ?

Top 36%▼ down 14 pts since 2016

From top 22% (2016) to top 36% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Indiana Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 4Elementary Schools in the Whitley County Con Schools

151^st of 374Whitley County Con Schools among Indiana districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Indiana percentile	Rating
2026	62.8	368 of 1015	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	59.2	415 of 1005	58.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	74.9	237 of 1011	76.6%	★★★★☆
2023	69.7	308 of 1016	69.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	70.7	299 of 1020	70.7%	★★★★☆
2021	68.1	321 of 1016	68.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	71.7	274 of 1031	73.4%	★★★★☆
2018	62.3	424 of 1027	58.7%	★★★☆☆
2017	69.5	309 of 1033	70.1%	★★★★☆
2016	74.4	232 of 1046	77.8%	★★★★☆
2015	69.4	302 of 1040	71.0%	★★★★☆
2014	66.0	379 of 1036	63.4%	★★★☆☆
2013	60.5	471 of 1035	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2012	49.7	616 of 1015	39.3%	★★☆☆☆
2011	52.4	592 of 1025	42.2%	★★☆☆☆
2010	64.4	386 of 1009	61.7%	★★★☆☆
2009	57.9	484 of 1003	51.7%	★★★☆☆
2008	59.1	456 of 996	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2007	60.3	422 of 985	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2006	58.2	432 of 961	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2005	65.9	316 of 959	67.0%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Indiana (2025-2026) ?

Math56%

English Language Arts46%

Science45%

Social Studies43%-5 vs state

1.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, March 21, 2019

The office staff is not people friendly. The office women are very rude. The principal Mr Mullet is robotic and says things on repeat but does not listen or care. The school has went down hill after the previous principal left. The older treacher’s were great but a lot of them are retiring. I would never recommend this school. Close Quote

Schools Near Northern Heights Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				ILEARN English Language Arts (2026)				ILEARN Math (2026)				ILEARN Science (2026)		ILEARN Social Studies (2026)	Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ILEARN English Language Arts 3rd Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 4th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 5th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts All Grades	ILEARN Math 3rd Grade	ILEARN Math 4th Grade	ILEARN Math 5th Grade	ILEARN Math All Grades	ILEARN Science 4th Grade	ILEARN Science All Grades	ILEARN Social Studies 5th Grade	Vaccination: Kindergartners vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Northern Heights Elementary School	Public	K-5	5209 N Sr 109	Columbia City	46725	Whitley County	Whitley County Con Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 691-2371	504	33	15.1	30.0%	467 (92.7%)	1 (0.2%)	16 (3.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	18 (3.6%)	62.8	368^th of 1015 public elementary schools	63.7%		59.2	415^th of 1005 public elementary schools	58.7%	47	55.6	43.8	40.2	46.3	66.7	41.6	59.8	55.6	44.9	44.9	42.5	90.4%		$10,532	$412	$10,119
Mary Raber Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	700 E Jackson St	Columbia City	46725	Whitley County	Whitley County Con Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 244-5857	297	19	15.4	32.7%	270 (90.9%)	2 (0.7%)	10 (3.4%)	3 (1.0%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	10 (3.4%)	34.6	678^th of 1015 public elementary schools	33.2%		22.2	797^th of 1005 public elementary schools	20.7%	119	48.7	20.0	45.8	36.6	32.4	27.5	41.7	32.7	30.0	30.0	29.2	91.4%		$11,846	$931	$10,914
Central Noble Primary School	Public	K-1	1283 S Main St	Wolflake	46796	Noble County	Central Noble Com School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 635-2432	238	17	14.4	38.2%	229 (96.2%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (3.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)								(n/a)												78.9%		$11,851	$818	$11,033
Little Turtle Elementary School	Public	K-5	1710 S State Rd 9	Columbia City	46725	Whitley County	Whitley County Con Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 244-3343	583	36	16.1	40.7%	518 (88.9%)	7 (1.2%)	19 (3.3%)	4 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (6.0%)	51.3	506^th of 1015 public elementary schools	50.1%		50.9	503^rd of 1005 public elementary schools	50.0%	3	30.8	38.1	44.7	38.1	50.6	46.7	47.6	48.2	40.0	40.0	41.8	91%		$9,854	$739	$9,115
Churubusco Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3 Eagle Dr	Churubusco	46723	Whitley County	Smith-Green Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 693-2188	500	34	14.9	35.4%	461 (92.2%)	2 (0.4%)	17 (3.4%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (3.4%)	75.6	230^th of 1015 public elementary schools	77.3%		59.6	409^th of 1005 public elementary schools	59.3%	179	60.9	37.2	52.7	50.8	75.9	56.4	53.8	62.0	48.7	48.7	65.6	89.8%		$10,985	$335	$10,650
Coesse School	Public	K-5	2250 S 500 E	Columbia City	46725	Whitley County	Whitley County Con Schools	No	No	No	No	(260) 244-3351	291	20	14.4	48.5%	266 (91.4%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (5.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.7%)	56	439^th of 1015 public elementary schools	56.7%		46.3	557^th of 1005 public elementary schools	44.6%	118	51.9	62.2	37.2	50.7	53.7	44.4	34.9	45.1	46.7	46.7	27.9	90.3%		$11,269	$763	$10,507
Pierceton Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	434 S First St	Pierceton	46562	Kosciusko County	Whitko Community School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(574) 594-2210	298	22	13.7	54.0%	266 (89.3%)	1 (0.3%)	20 (6.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (3.4%)	48.4	542^nd of 1015 public elementary schools	46.6%		31.9	711^th of 1005 public elementary schools	29.3%	169	39.0	35.9	54.6	43.6	45.0	46.2	36.4	42.3	28.2	28.2	43.2	16.7%		$12,385	$1,816	$10,569
Central Noble Elementary School	Public	2-4	202 Cougar Ct	Albion	46701	Noble County	Central Noble Com School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 636-7538	247	18	13.7	50.6%	226 (91.5%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (5.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.8%)	46.4	557^th of 1015 public elementary schools	45.1%		35.7	670^th of 1005 public elementary schools	33.3%	113	32.9	29.3		31.1	51.9	53.7		52.8	39.0	39.0				$11,982	$545	$11,438
North Webster Elementary School	Public	K-5	5745 N 750 E	North Webster	46555	Kosciusko County	Wawasee Community School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(574) 834-7644	430	29	14.8	51.4%	386 (89.8%)	1 (0.2%)	34 (7.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (1.9%)	59	407^th of 1015 public elementary schools	59.9%		64.5	343^rd of 1005 public elementary schools	65.9%	64	50.0	36.9	56.3	47.6	50.0	53.9	35.9	46.5	38.5	38.5	53.1	77%		$12,640	$1,065	$11,575
South Whitley Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	406 W Wayne St	South Whitley	46787	Whitley County	Whitko Community School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(260) 723-6342	300	18	16.4	45.0%	275 (91.7%)	2 (0.7%)	12 (4.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (3.3%)	90.5	64^th of 1015 public elementary schools	93.7%		60	402^nd of 1005 public elementary schools	60.0%	338	61.4	57.9	81.3	67.7	75.0	63.2	79.2	73.1	57.9	57.9	95.8	87.5%		$11,005	$1,606	$9,399

Frequently Asked Questions about Northern Heights Elementary School

What district is Northern Heights Elementary School in?

Whitley County Con Schools

What schools do graduates of Northern Heights Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Northern Heights Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Indian Springs Middle School
High : Columbia City High School

What is the racial makeup of Northern Heights Elementary School?

Students at Northern Heights Elementary School are 93% White, 4% Two or more races, 3% Hispanic.

How many students attend Northern Heights Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 504 students attended Northern Heights Elementary School.

Is Northern Heights Elementary School a good school?

Northern Heights Elementary School ranks 368^th of 1015 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Rate Northern Heights Elementary School!

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Latest Indiana data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataOct 28, 2026

2025–26 attendance dataOct 28, 2026

2024–25 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)Oct 20, 2026

2023–24 immunization rates (updated)Oct 19, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Indiana Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.