Central Elementary School

Summary:

Central Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Portage, Indiana, serving 453 students in grades K-5. The school is part of the Portage Township Schools district, which is ranked 262 out of 381 districts in Indiana and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Central Elementary School faces several challenges, including a diverse student population with a higher percentage of Hispanic (30.46%) and African American (16.56%) students compared to nearby schools. The school also has a relatively high chronic absenteeism rate of 19.8%, significantly higher than the state average. Academically, Central Elementary School's performance, as measured by ILEARN test scores, is consistently lower than the Portage Township Schools district average and the state average across various subjects and grade levels. For example, in 2023-2024, only 23.12% of students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the district average of 31.37% and the state average of 38.6% for 3rd grade. Additionally, the school has a high percentage of students (71.74%) receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a higher proportion of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

When comparing Central Elementary School to other nearby schools within the Portage Township Schools district, it becomes evident that the school is performing below the district average in academic achievement. For instance, in 2023-2024, the percentage of students proficient or better in Math at Central Elementary School was 27.64%, compared to the district average of 29.35%. Furthermore, when comparing Central Elementary School to schools outside the district, such as Liberty Elementary School in the School City of Hobart district, the differences in academic performance are even more pronounced, with Liberty Elementary School having 58.17% of students proficient or better in Math in 2023-2024, compared to only 27.64% at Central Elementary School.

Detail:

Public K-5

2825 Russell St
Portage, IN 46368

(219) 763-8015

District: Portage Township Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
792^nd of 1,010 Indiana Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $10,933

Students who attend Central Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	William Fegely Middle School
High:	Portage High School

Student/teacher ratio: 21.0

Number of students: 453

Racial breakdown:

White:

47.5%

Hispanic:

30.5%

African American:

16.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 71.7%

See top rated Indiana elementary schools

Compare Central Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Central Elementary School ranks worse than 78.4% of elementary schools in Indiana. It also ranks 7^th among 8 ranked elementary schools in the Portage Township Schools District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 21.81. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Central Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (47.5%), Hispanic (30.5%), African American (16.6%). (See more...)

Compare Details 71.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Central Elementary School is 21. 5 elementary schools in the Portage Township Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Central Elementary School employs 21.5 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Central Elementary School is $10,933. 4 elementary schools in the Portage Township Schools District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Central Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Portage Township Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Portage Township Schools 263^rd of 381 Indiana school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Central Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IN State Percentile
2005	64.88	324^th	959	66.2%
2006	62.39	378^th	961	60.7%
2007	72.83	226^th	985	77.1%
2008	73.37	213^th	996	78.6%
2009	73.16	246^th	1003	75.5%
2010	67.71	336^th	1009	66.7%
2011	59.25	483^rd	1025	52.9%
2012	59.35	467^th	1015	54.0%
2013	29.54	848^th	1035	18.1%
2014	52.22	591^st	1036	43.0%
2015	50.48	584^th	1040	43.8%
2016	52.24	583^rd	1046	44.3%
2017	52.34	565^th	1033	45.3%
2018	47.13	627^th	1027	38.9%
2019	36.18	711^th	1031	31.0%
2021	34.33	714^th	1016	29.7%
2022	28.79	754^th	1020	26.1%
2023	21.06	813^th	1016	20.0%
2024	21.81	792^nd	1010	21.6%

See the entire list of Indiana Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Indiana Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Indiana Department of Education

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Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Central Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	465	5	2	35	0	n/a	n/a	0	507
1989	427	5	0	36	0	n/a	n/a	0	468
1990	401	6	5	34	0	n/a	n/a	0	446
1991	429	0	8	34	0	n/a	n/a	0	471
1992	427	1	9	42	0	n/a	n/a	0	479
1993	435	1	9	36	0	n/a	n/a	0	481
1994	462	3	4	41	0	n/a	n/a	0	510
1995	439	0	2	36	1	n/a	n/a	0	478
1996	439	0	2	36	1	n/a	n/a	0	478
1997	437	2	2	55	0	n/a	n/a	0	496
1998	429	2	1	58	0	n/a	n/a	0	490
1999	473	8	3	67	1	n/a	n/a	0	552
2000	452	7	3	59	0	n/a	n/a	0	521
2001	467	8	3	63	0	n/a	n/a	0	541
2002	464	20	5	78	0	n/a	n/a	0	567
2003	464	20	5	78	0	n/a	n/a	0	567
2004	439	33	4	78	0	n/a	n/a	0	554
2005	451	25	3	67	0	n/a	n/a	0	546
2006	465	38	4	71	0	n/a	n/a	0	578
2007	371	34	3	79	0	n/a	n/a	64	551
2008	359	41	3	86	1	n/a	n/a	61	551
2009	359	50	0	89	1	n/a	n/a	57	556
2010	377	42	1	125	1	n/a	n/a	59	605
2011	360	46	3	122	2	0	51	0	584
2012	340	55	6	115	1	0	51	0	568
2013	319	58	4	142	3	0	30	0	556
2014	311	47	2	154	1	0	29	0	544
2015	295	53	5	143	1	0	27	0	524
2016	267	71	5	136	1	0	26	0	506
2017	273	64	3	137	1	0	39	0	517
2018	284	68	3	138	0	0	33	0	526
2019	245	65	3	171	0	0	37	0	521
2020	235	65	2	181	0	0	36	0	519
2021	216	55	1	153	0	0	34	0	459
2022	212	59	2	143	0	0	22	0	438
2023	215	75	2	138	0	0	23	0	453

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Central Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	507	23.0	22.0	22.5
1989	468	23.0	20.3	23.3
1990	446	22.5	19.8	22.2
1991	471	21.5	21.9	19.5
1992	479	21.7	22.0	26.9
1993	481	21.7	22.2	26.8
1994	510	21.2	24.1	22.9
1995	478	23.6	20.3	30.8
1996	478	23.6	20.3	30.8
1997	496	22.8	21.8	30.4
1998	490	24.2	20.2	31.8
1999	552	25.6	21.6	35.3
2000	521	27.7	18.8	34.9
2001	541	26.3	20.6	32.7
2002	567	29.2	19.4	36.9
2003	567	29.2	19.4	36.9
2004	554	27.6	20.1	40.1
2005	546	27.7	19.7	42.5
2006	578	27.8	20.8	47.4
2007	551	n/a	n/a	58.7
2008	551	25.7	21.4	61.2
2009	556	27.9	19.9	64.3
2010	605	29.1	20.7	65.6
2011	584	24.0	24.3	63.5
2012	568	30.7	18.4	66.4
2013	556	27.0	20.5	66.5
2014	544	27.0	20.1	62.9
2015	524	26.0	20.1	63.2
2016	506	26.0	19.4	64.6
2017	517	26.0	19.8	63.8
2018	526	26.0	20.2	68.6
2019	521	25.0	20.8	67.8
2020	519	27.0	19.2	68
2021	459	32.0	14.3	67.5
2022	438	24.6	17.7	58.4
2023	453	21.5	21.0	71.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Central Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	507	23.0	22.0	22.5
1989	468	23.0	20.3	23.3
1990	446	22.5	19.8	22.2
1991	471	21.5	21.9	19.5
1992	479	21.7	22.0	26.9
1993	481	21.7	22.2	26.8
1994	510	21.2	24.1	22.9
1995	478	23.6	20.3	30.8
1996	478	23.6	20.3	30.8
1997	496	22.8	21.8	30.4
1998	490	24.2	20.2	31.8
1999	552	25.6	21.6	35.3
2000	521	27.7	18.8	34.9
2001	541	26.3	20.6	32.7
2002	567	29.2	19.4	36.9
2003	567	29.2	19.4	36.9
2004	554	27.6	20.1	40.1
2005	546	27.7	19.7	42.5
2006	578	27.8	20.8	47.4
2007	551	n/a	n/a	58.7
2008	551	25.7	21.4	61.2
2009	556	27.9	19.9	64.3
2010	605	29.1	20.7	65.6
2011	584	24.0	24.3	63.5
2012	568	30.7	18.4	66.4
2013	556	27.0	20.5	66.5
2014	544	27.0	20.1	62.9
2015	524	26.0	20.1	63.2
2016	506	26.0	19.4	64.6
2017	517	26.0	19.8	63.8
2018	526	26.0	20.2	68.6
2019	521	25.0	20.8	67.8
2020	519	27.0	19.2	68
2021	459	32.0	14.3	67.5
2022	438	24.6	17.7	58.4
2023	453	21.5	21.0	71.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Central Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$464 (5.7%)	$7,687 (94.3%)	$8,151
2020	$518 (5.7%)	$8,511 (94.3%)	$9,029
2021	$617 (6.3%)	$9,206 (93.7%)	$9,823
2022	$1,490 (13.6%)	$9,443 (86.4%)	$10,933

Data source: Indiana Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Central Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 711^th of 1031 Elementary schools	Ranks 813^th of 1016 Elementary schools	11.1%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Central Elementary School)	43	21.4	21.6%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Portage Township Schools)	47.4	27.9	19.5%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)	46.3	39.7	6.6%
3rd Grade Math (Central Elementary School)	53.2	32.9	20.3%
3rd Grade Math (Portage Township Schools)	56.2	42	14.2%
3rd Grade Math (Indiana)	58.7	53.1	5.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Central Elementary School)	37.2	23.3	13.9%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Portage Township Schools)	43	31.9	11.1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)	45.8	40.3	5.5%
4th Grade Math (Central Elementary School)	46.2	23.3	22.9%
4th Grade Math (Portage Township Schools)	47.9	37.9	10%
4th Grade Math (Indiana)	54	48.8	5.2%
4th Grade Science (Central Elementary School)	30.8	17.8	13%
4th Grade Science (Portage Township Schools)	35.1	24	11.1%
4th Grade Science (Indiana)	46.3	37	9.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Central Elementary School)	51.3	27.3	24%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Portage Township Schools)	44	34.6	9.5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)	47.5	40.2	7.3%
5th Grade Math (Central Elementary School)	32.1	17.1	15%
5th Grade Math (Portage Township Schools)	38.7	26.1	12.6%
5th Grade Math (Indiana)	47.8	41.1	6.7%
5th Grade Social Studies (Central Elementary School)	20.5	22.1	1.6%
5th Grade Social Studies (Portage Township Schools)	30.9	22.4	8.5%
5th Grade Social Studies (Indiana)	46	39.1	6.9%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	521	453	13.1%
African American	65	75	15.4%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	3	2	33.3%
Hispanic	171	138	19.3%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	245	215	12.2%
Two or More Races	37	23	37.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	67.8%	71.7%	4%

Schools Near Central Elementary School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				ILEARN English Language Arts (2024)				ILEARN Math (2024)				ILEARN Social Studies (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2022)
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/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	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 Social Studies 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Central Elementary School	Public	K-5	2825 Russell St	Portage	46368	Porter County	Portage Township Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 763-8015	453	22	21.0	71.7%	215 (47.5%)	75 (16.6%)	138 (30.5%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (5.1%)	21.8	792^nd of 1010 public elementary schools	21.6%		21.1	813^th of 1016 public elementary schools	20.0%	21	27.0	19.7	22.9	23.1	49.2	18.2	17.1	27.6	12.9	$10,933	$1,490	$9,443
Wallace Aylesworth Elementary	Public	K-5	5910 Central Ave	Portage	46368	Porter County	Portage Township Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 763-8010	410	19	21.5	67.6%	206 (50.2%)	62 (15.1%)	118 (28.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (5.6%)	23.1	782^nd of 1010 public elementary schools	22.6%		31.6	710^th of 1016 public elementary schools	30.1%	72	17.5	22.4	37.3	25.1	26.3	25.0	26.9	26.0	19.4	$10,411	$1,335	$9,076
George L Myers Elementary School	Public	K-5	3100 Willowdale	Portage	46368	Porter County	Portage Township Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 763-8035	331	18	18.9	57.4%	178 (53.8%)	25 (7.6%)	99 (29.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (8.5%)	32.7	697^th of 1010 public elementary schools	31.0%		33.4	694^th of 1016 public elementary schools	31.7%	3	30.0	46.8	30.0	35.0	25.5	48.9	16.7	29.1	15.0	$11,230	$1,346	$9,885
Rowena Kyle Elementary School	Public	K-5	2701 Hamstrom Rd	Portage	46368	Porter County	Portage Township Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 763-8030	472	22	21.9	55.3%	210 (44.5%)	66 (14.0%)	166 (35.2%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (5.9%)	46.2	568^th of 1010 public elementary schools	43.8%		46.6	572^nd of 1016 public elementary schools	43.7%	4	47.7	44.6	29.5	40.8	51.1	52.7	20.5	41.7	12.8	$9,604	$1,117	$8,487
Crisman Elementary School	Public	K-5	6161 Old Porter Rd	Portage	46368	Porter County	Portage Township Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 763-8020	373	20	18.6	64.3%	175 (46.9%)	62 (16.6%)	107 (28.7%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (7.5%)	41.5	608^th of 1010 public elementary schools	39.8%		36.4	667^th of 1016 public elementary schools	34.4%	59	33.9	33.3	37.0	34.9	55.9	29.8	34.3	39.7	23.3	$10,070	$1,286	$8,784
Virgil I Bailey Elementary School	Public	K-5	2100 Union St	Lake Station	46405	Lake County	Lake Station Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 962-1302	270	19	13.9	84.1%	99 (36.7%)	22 (8.1%)	119 (44.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (10.7%)	16.2	858^th of 1010 public elementary schools	15.0%		18.5	830^th of 1016 public elementary schools	18.3%	28	18.4	13.5	19.2	17.3	36.7	18.9	21.3	26.3	10.6	$11,306	$1,666	$9,639
Ethel R Jones Elementary School	Public	K-5	2374 McCool Rd	Portage	46368	Porter County	Portage Township Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 763-8025	305	17	17.9	57.4%	171 (56.1%)	25 (8.2%)	94 (30.8%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (4.6%)	48.4	543^rd of 1010 public elementary schools	46.2%		48.4	553^rd of 1016 public elementary schools	45.6%	10	37.5	36.2	47.1	40.1	56.3	44.7	23.5	42.6	23.5	$11,522	$1,461	$10,061
South Haven Elementary School	Public	K-5	395 W Midway Dr	Valparaiso	46383	Porter County	Portage Township Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 763-8045	281	16	18.1	64.4%	189 (67.3%)	25 (8.9%)	47 (16.7%)	3 (1.1%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (5.7%)	36.8	662^nd of 1010 public elementary schools	34.5%		36.8	666^th of 1016 public elementary schools	34.4%	4	28.3	31.9	29.3	29.9	50.0	46.8	22.0	40.3	22.0	$11,754	$1,486	$10,268
Liberty Elementary School	Public	1-5	130 N Liberty St	Hobart	46342	Lake County	School City of Hobart	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 942-4251	423	23	18.8	50.1%	262 (61.9%)	50 (11.8%)	94 (22.2%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (3.5%)	62.7	379^th of 1010 public elementary schools	62.5%		71.7	279^th of 1016 public elementary schools	72.5%	100	36.6	38.6	42.7	39.2	61.3	64.8	47.6	58.2	35.4	$10,284	$1,345	$8,940
Paul Saylor Elementary School	Public	K-5	331 Midway	Valparaiso	46383	Porter County	Portage Township Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 763-8040	292	17	17.1	74.7%	139 (47.6%)	70 (24.0%)	63 (21.6%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (6.5%)	17.1	845^th of 1010 public elementary schools	16.3%		23.5	790^th of 1016 public elementary schools	22.2%	55	18.2	18.8	14.0	17.0	29.6	28.6	27.9	28.7	9.3	$10,937	$1,468	$9,469

Frequently Asked Questions about Central Elementary School

What district is Central Elementary School in?

Portage Township Schools

How many students attend Central Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 453 students attended Central Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Central Elementary School?

Students at Central Elementary School are 47% White, 30% Hispanic, 17% African American, 5% Two or more races.

Is Central Elementary School a good school?

Central Elementary School ranks in the bottom 21.6% of Indiana elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of Central Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : William Fegely Middle School
High : Portage High School

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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.