Summary:
Zip code 42724 has two elementary schools in Hardin County: Cecilia Valley Elementary School and Lakewood Elementary School, and both serve prekindergarten through grade 5. In 2025–2026, both schools were above the state in grade 4 science and in grade 3 and grade 4 math and reading, while both fell below the state in grade 5 math and reading. The clearest overall difference is that Cecilia had higher results across the nine reported grade-subject measures, averaging 60% compared with Lakewood’s 51%—a 9-point gap.
Cecilia Valley stands out overall, especially in grade 5 writing (49% versus Lakewood’s 18%) and grade 3 math (73% versus 53%). Its grade 4 science result was also higher: 61% compared with 53%, with the state at 40%. Lakewood had relative advantages in grade 5 math (37% versus 33%) and grade 5 reading (48% versus 46%); both schools scored 49% in editing and mechanics. However, both were below the state in grade 5 math (43%) and reading (51%).
Results improved overall from 2024–2025 to 2025–2026: the average across the listed school results rose from 50% to 56%, a 5-point gain. Grade 4 science increased at both schools, while grade 5 writing moved in opposite directions—down 8 points at Cecilia and up 4 at Lakewood. SchoolDigger’s statewide ranking for Cecilia rose from 305th to 184th over three years, with its rating increasing from 3 to 4 stars; Lakewood’s ranking moved from 330th to 378th and then 294th, and its rating went from 3 to 2 to 3 stars. As context, in 2024–2025 Cecilia had a student-teacher ratio of 14.2 and 49% free/reduced lunch eligible, compared with Lakewood’s 15.2 ratio and 58% free/reduced lunch eligible; these figures do not explain the score differences.
Thank you for your feedback!