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Central Elementary School

Q: Is Central Elementary School a good school?

Central Elementary School ranks 115 th of 1015 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

115^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,015 Indiana Elementary Schools

Better than 89% of Indiana elementary schools

Summary

Central Elementary School is a K–5 school in Valparaiso, Indiana, serving 131 students — the smallest enrollment in its nearby comparison group — as part of Valparaiso Community Schools, a district ranked 10th of 374 Indiana districts.

The school has a strong statewide record. In 2025–26 it ranked 115th of 1,015 elementary schools, 89th percentile, 4 stars, after five straight 5-star years from 2020–21 through 2024–25. Its 2025–26 ELA score of 66.2% and Math score of 69.01% were both above the district average, and Science came in at 68.18%, essentially at the district level, while 5th-grade Social Studies (55.56%) fell below the district's 64.92%. Among nearby schools, Central placed mid-pack — 7th of 11 in ELA, 7th in Math, 5th in Science and 9th in Social Studies. Results differ sharply by grade: 4th grade posted 77.27% in ELA and 86.36% in Math, while 5th grade posted 59.26% in ELA and 51.85% in Math, roughly 17 percentage points below the district in math. With about 22–27 students per tested grade, a few students can move these numbers.

Central serves a higher-needs population than most neighbors: 50.38% of students were eligible for free/reduced lunch in 2024–25, and chronic absenteeism was 12.5%, the highest among all nearby schools and above the district's 9.0%. Its student-teacher ratio, 13.7, is the lowest in the group, and its per-pupil spending of $14,846 is the highest — about $4,500 above the nearby average. Although every grade-level subject score remains above the Indiana state average, several nearby schools, including Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, Memorial Elementary School, Heavilin Elementary School and Cooks Corners Elementary School, have been outperforming Central more clearly in the most recent year.

131

Students ?

13.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,774

Per pupil spending ?

50.4%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

78.9%

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

653 Hayes Leonard Rd
Valparaiso, IN 46383

(219) 531-3030

District: Valparaiso Community Schools

Students who attend Central Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Benjamin Franklin Middle School
High:	Valparaiso High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

63.4%

Hispanic:

25.2%

African American:

4.6%

See top rated Indiana elementary schools

Compare Central Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 82nd percentile in 2016 → 89th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Indiana average (66% vs 47% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 11% of Indiana elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 7 percentile points since 2016

Worth a look

!Near the bottom of Valparaiso Community Schools's ranking

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school66%

District avg66%

Indiana avg47%

115^th of 1,015

Indiana public elementary schools ?

Top 11%▲ up 7 pts since 2016

From top 18% (2016) to top 11% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Indiana Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

7^th of 8Elementary Schools in the Valparaiso Community Schools

10^th of 374Valparaiso Community 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	86.7	115 of 1015	88.7%	★★★★☆
2025	90.0	81 of 1005	91.9%	★★★★★
2024	92.2	56 of 1011	94.5%	★★★★★
2023	88.7	74 of 1016	92.7%	★★★★★
2022	88.7	84 of 1020	91.8%	★★★★★
2021	90.3	73 of 1016	92.8%	★★★★★
2019	76.6	204 of 1031	80.2%	★★★★☆
2018	80.6	157 of 1027	84.7%	★★★★☆
2017	83.4	122 of 1033	88.2%	★★★★☆
2016	77.2	191 of 1046	81.7%	★★★★☆
2015	78.7	160 of 1040	84.6%	★★★★☆
2014	83.5	73 of 1036	93.0%	★★★★★
2013	86.4	49 of 1035	95.3%	★★★★★
2012	84.4	76 of 1015	92.5%	★★★★★
2011	89.1	21 of 1025	98.0%	★★★★★
2010	82.0	111 of 1009	89.0%	★★★★☆
2009	77.9	174 of 1003	82.7%	★★★★☆
2008	80.1	133 of 996	86.6%	★★★★☆
2007	79.8	138 of 985	86.0%	★★★★☆
2006	77.7	157 of 961	83.7%	★★★★☆
2005	64.1	336 of 959	65.0%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Indiana (2025-2026) ?

Math69%

Science68%

English Language Arts66%

Social Studies56%+8 vs state

★

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Schools Near Central 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
Central Elementary School	Public	K-5	653 Hayes Leonard Rd	Valparaiso	46383	Porter County	Valparaiso Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 531-3030	131	10	13.7	50.4%	83 (63.4%)	6 (4.6%)	33 (25.2%)	3 (2.3%)	1 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (3.8%)	86.7	115^th of 1015 public elementary schools	88.7%		90	81^st of 1005 public elementary schools	91.9%	34	63.6	77.3	59.3	66.2	72.7	86.4	51.9	69.0	68.2	68.2	55.6	78.9%		$14,774	$677	$14,097
Memorial Elementary School	Public	K-5	1052 Park Ave	Valparaiso	46383	Porter County	Valparaiso Community Schools	No	No	No	No	(219) 531-3090	434	24	18.4	24.9%	325 (74.9%)	9 (2.1%)	72 (16.6%)	11 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (3.9%)	97	12^th of 1015 public elementary schools	98.8%		97	13^th of 1005 public elementary schools	98.7%	1	81.2	74.4	84.8	80.0	79.7	85.4	82.3	82.6	72.0	72.0	79.8	93.2%		$10,243	$27	$10,216
Northview Elementary School	Public	K-5	257 Northview Dr	Valparaiso	46383	Porter County	Valparaiso Community Schools	No	No	No	No	(219) 531-3100	276	20	13.8	42.0%	217 (78.6%)	8 (2.9%)	43 (15.6%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.5%)	87.6	99^th of 1015 public elementary schools	90.2%		94.5	34^th of 1005 public elementary schools	96.6%	65	73.9	69.2	51.1	65.0	76.1	84.6	53.3	72.0	59.6	59.6	62.2	90%		$11,557	$41	$11,516
Parkview Elementary School	Public	K-5	1405 Wood St	Valparaiso	46383	Porter County	Valparaiso Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 531-3110	213	15	14.2	54.5%	101 (47.4%)	16 (7.5%)	80 (37.6%)	3 (1.4%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (5.6%)	87.1	108^th of 1015 public elementary schools	89.4%		85.7	128^th of 1005 public elementary schools	87.3%	20	59.5	70.0	75.9	67.9	62.2	72.5	69.0	67.9	55.0	55.0	65.5	71.8%		$14,302	$930	$13,372
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School	Public	K-5	1700 Roosevelt Rd	Valparaiso	46383	Porter County	Valparaiso Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 531-3130	285	18	15.8	52.3%	186 (65.3%)	18 (6.3%)	56 (19.6%)	6 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	18 (6.3%)	96.4	16^th of 1015 public elementary schools	98.4%		94.2	37^th of 1005 public elementary schools	96.3%	21	77.4	77.6	73.7	76.4	88.7	89.8	73.7	85.0	79.6	79.6	65.8	94.1%		$11,415	$705	$10,709
Heavilin Elementary School	Public	K-5	2450 Heavilin Road	Valparaiso	46383	Porter County	Valparaiso Community Schools	No	No	No	No	(219) 476-8820	479	30	15.9	18.8%	357 (74.5%)	12 (2.5%)	67 (14.0%)	17 (3.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (5.2%)	94.8	21^st of 1015 public elementary schools	97.9%		95.3	24^th of 1005 public elementary schools	97.6%	3	92.8	68.6	81.2	80.0	94.2	77.7	83.5	84.5	63.5	63.5	64.7	93.4%		$10,132	$28	$10,104
Cooks Corners Elementary School	Public	K-5	358 Bullseye Lake Rd	Valparaiso	46383	Porter County	Valparaiso Community Schools	No	No	No	No	(219) 531-3040	487	25	19.4	23.2%	387 (79.5%)	12 (2.5%)	71 (14.6%)	10 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.4%)	91	60^th of 1015 public elementary schools	94.1%		87.5	117^th of 1005 public elementary schools	88.4%	57	58.3	71.4	68.8	66.5	72.2	76.2	63.8	70.8	69.1	69.1	68.8	86.9%		$9,608	$118	$9,490
Flint Lake Elementary School	Public	K-5	4106 N Calumet Ave	Valparaiso	46383	Porter County	Valparaiso Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 531-3160	476	34	14.0	47.1%	299 (62.8%)	51 (10.7%)	79 (16.6%)	8 (1.7%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (8.0%)	79.3	190^th of 1015 public elementary schools	81.3%		81.2	170^th of 1005 public elementary schools	83.1%	20	59.8	58.3	56.6	58.3	64.6	60.7	56.6	60.7	58.3	58.3	50.0	89.9%		$11,961	$484	$11,477
Washington Township Elementary School	Public	K-5	383 E Sr 2	Valparaiso	46383	Porter County	East Porter County School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 464-3598	339	23	15.0	28.0%	261 (77.0%)	4 (1.2%)	59 (17.4%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (3.5%)	72.3	264^th of 1015 public elementary schools	74.0%		52.9	477^th of 1005 public elementary schools	52.5%	213	63.6	41.2	51.1	52.1	61.8	64.7	52.3	58.3	51.0	51.0	48.9	96.9%		$10,951	$425	$10,526
John Simatovich Elementary School	Public	K-5	424 W 500 N	Valparaiso	46385	Porter County	Union Township School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 759-2508	280	19	14.7	45.7%	205 (73.2%)	1 (0.4%)	59 (21.1%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	13 (4.6%)	87.5	100^th of 1015 public elementary schools	90.1%		76.2	221^st of 1005 public elementary schools	78.0%	121	62.2	63.2	67.4	64.4	67.6	89.5	48.8	67.8	79.0	79.0	62.8	60.8%		$12,756	$489	$12,267

Frequently Asked Questions about Central Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Central Elementary School?

Students at Central Elementary School are 63% White, 25% Hispanic, 5% African American, 4% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

What schools do graduates of Central Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Central Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Benjamin Franklin Middle School
High : Valparaiso High School

How many students attend Central Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 131 students attended Central Elementary School.

Is Central Elementary School a good school?

Central Elementary School ranks 115^th of 1015 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What district is Central Elementary School in?

Valparaiso Community Schools

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Latest Indiana data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataNewOct 28, 2026

2025–26 attendance dataNewOct 28, 2026

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

2023–24 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 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.