Ethel R Jones Elementary School

Q: Is Ethel R Jones Elementary School a good school?

Ethel R Jones Elementary School ranks 543 rd of 1010 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Ethel R Jones Elementary School is a public elementary school in Portage, Indiana, serving 305 students in grades K-5. The school is part of the Portage Township Schools district, which is ranked 262 out of 381 districts in the state.

Ethel R Jones Elementary consistently outperforms the Portage Township Schools district in academic proficiency, with 40.12% of students proficient or better in ILEARN/English Language Arts compared to the district's 31.37%, and 42.59% proficiency in ILEARN/Math versus the district's 29.35%. The school also has a more diverse student population, with 56.07% White, 8.2% African American, 30.82% Hispanic, and 4.59% two or more races. While the school has seen a decrease in chronic absenteeism, from 24.1% in 2021-2022 to 17.8% in 2022-2023, it still has a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch at 57.38%.

Despite its strong academic performance, Ethel R Jones Elementary's statewide ranking has declined over the years, from 163 out of 1,040 Indiana elementary schools in 2014-2015 to 543 out of 1,010 in 2023-2024. When compared to other nearby schools, such as Rowena Kyle Elementary, Ethel R Jones generally performs better academically, particularly in English Language Arts and Math proficiency. The school has also seen an increase in spending per student, from $8,734 in 2018-2019 to $11,522 in 2021-2022, which may have contributed to its academic performance, but the student-teacher ratio has fluctuated, from 10.5 in 2020-2021 to 17.9 in 2022-2023.

Detail:

Public K-5

2374 McCool Rd
Portage, IN 46368

(219) 763-8025

District: Portage Township Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
543^rd of 1,010 Indiana Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $11,522

Students who attend Ethel R Jones Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Willowcreek Middle School
High:	Portage High School

Student/teacher ratio: 13.9

Number of students: 299

Racial breakdown:

White:

57.2%

Hispanic:

29.1%

African American:

11.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 57.4%

See top rated Indiana elementary schools

Compare Ethel R Jones Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Ethel R Jones Elementary School ranks worse than 53.8% of elementary schools in Indiana. It also ranks first among 8 ranked elementary schools in the Portage Township Schools District! (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 48.43. (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 Racial makeup is: White (57.2%), Hispanic (29.1%), African American (11%). (See more...)

Compare Details

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Ethel R Jones Elementary School is 13.9, which is the lowest among 8 elementary schools in the Portage Township Schools District! (See more...)

Compare Ethel R Jones Elementary School employs 21.5 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Ethel R Jones Elementary School is $11,522, which is the 2^nd highest among 8 elementary schools in the Portage Township Schools District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Ethel R Jones 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 Ethel R Jones Elementary School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IN State Percentile
2005	57.05	457^th	959	52.3%
2006	60.83	400^th	961	58.4%
2007	77.32	165^th	985	83.2%
2008	74.43	199^th	996	80.0%
2009	71.79	262^nd	1003	73.9%
2010	82.54	103^rd	1009	89.8%
2011	84.98	69^th	1025	93.3%
2012	82.63	103^rd	1015	89.9%
2013	72.78	251^st	1035	75.7%
2014	68.26	340^th	1036	67.2%
2015	78.53	163^rd	1040	84.3%
2016	74.28	235^th	1046	77.5%
2017	62.30	437^th	1033	57.7%
2018	63.43	408^th	1027	60.3%
2019	52.71	536^th	1031	48.0%
2021	36.51	692^nd	1016	31.9%
2022	52.74	512^th	1020	49.8%
2023	48.45	553^rd	1016	45.6%
2024	48.43	543^rd	1010	46.2%

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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Enrollment information for Ethel R Jones Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	482	2	1	13	0	n/a	n/a	0	498
1989	477	2	1	18	0	n/a	n/a	0	498
1990	468	2	2	20	0	n/a	n/a	0	492
1991	471	1	2	22	0	n/a	n/a	0	496
1992	474	1	1	25	0	n/a	n/a	0	501
1993	448	1	0	27	0	n/a	n/a	0	476
1994	431	0	1	26	0	n/a	n/a	0	458
1995	372	0	4	24	1	n/a	n/a	0	401
1996	372	0	4	24	1	n/a	n/a	0	401
1997	440	0	4	26	1	n/a	n/a	0	471
1998	439	1	3	24	2	n/a	n/a	0	469
1999	441	4	2	30	0	n/a	n/a	0	477
2000	439	4	2	33	6	n/a	n/a	0	484
2001	442	6	7	30	0	n/a	n/a	0	485
2002	371	8	4	44	4	n/a	n/a	0	431
2003	371	8	4	44	4	n/a	n/a	0	431
2004	384	13	6	50	4	n/a	n/a	0	457
2005	405	15	4	50	5	n/a	n/a	0	479
2006	356	17	3	43	4	n/a	n/a	0	423
2007	334	20	6	59	4	n/a	n/a	4	427
2008	326	26	4	75	3	n/a	n/a	9	443
2009	320	27	10	83	4	n/a	n/a	15	459
2010	308	16	6	76	3	n/a	n/a	23	432
2011	286	18	6	84	3	0	24	0	421
2012	270	17	7	85	4	0	19	0	402
2013	284	22	5	109	2	0	13	0	435
2014	276	21	6	105	1	0	12	0	421
2015	247	24	4	100	1	0	14	0	390
2016	223	34	4	104	1	0	13	0	379
2017	219	45	3	112	1	0	13	0	393
2018	210	39	3	118	0	0	11	0	381
2019	208	34	3	104	0	0	20	0	369
2020	188	30	0	107	0	0	16	0	341
2021	163	25	1	94	0	0	12	0	295
2022	166	29	1	92	0	0	12	0	300
2023	171	25	1	94	0	0	14	0	305
2024	171	33	1	87	0	0	7	0	299

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 Ethel R Jones Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	498	26.0	19.1	13.9
1989	498	25.5	19.5	10.4
1990	492	25.0	19.6	7.3
1991	496	25.5	19.4	8.5
1992	501	23.9	20.9	11
1993	476	21.8	21.8	12.2
1994	458	22.8	20.1	12
1995	401	19.8	20.3	11.7
1996	401	19.8	20.3	11.7
1997	471	21.7	21.7	13.4
1998	469	22.3	21.0	13.2
1999	477	22.5	21.2	18.4
2000	484	22.3	21.7	20.7
2001	485	23.2	20.9	16.1
2002	431	19.3	22.3	30.9
2003	431	19.3	22.3	30.9
2004	457	20.4	22.4	32.8
2005	479	21.6	22.2	34
2006	423	19.4	21.8	24.1
2007	427	n/a	n/a	28.8
2008	443	20.1	22.0	30.4
2009	459	20.0	23.0	36
2010	432	21.6	20.0	44.5
2011	421	18.7	22.5	42.8
2012	402	22.7	17.6	45
2013	435	21.0	20.7	50.8
2014	421	22.0	19.1	51.3
2015	390	23.0	16.9	49
2016	379	23.0	16.4	47.2
2017	393	23.0	17.0	51.1
2018	381	24.0	15.8	50.9
2019	369	21.0	17.5	51.8
2020	341	23.0	14.8	50.1
2021	295	28.0	10.5	51.9
2022	300	22.5	13.3	46.7
2023	305	17.0	17.9	57.4
2024	299	21.5	13.9	n/a

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 Ethel R Jones Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	498	26.0	19.1	13.9
1989	498	25.5	19.5	10.4
1990	492	25.0	19.6	7.3
1991	496	25.5	19.4	8.5
1992	501	23.9	20.9	11
1993	476	21.8	21.8	12.2
1994	458	22.8	20.1	12
1995	401	19.8	20.3	11.7
1996	401	19.8	20.3	11.7
1997	471	21.7	21.7	13.4
1998	469	22.3	21.0	13.2
1999	477	22.5	21.2	18.4
2000	484	22.3	21.7	20.7
2001	485	23.2	20.9	16.1
2002	431	19.3	22.3	30.9
2003	431	19.3	22.3	30.9
2004	457	20.4	22.4	32.8
2005	479	21.6	22.2	34
2006	423	19.4	21.8	24.1
2007	427	n/a	n/a	28.8
2008	443	20.1	22.0	30.4
2009	459	20.0	23.0	36
2010	432	21.6	20.0	44.5
2011	421	18.7	22.5	42.8
2012	402	22.7	17.6	45
2013	435	21.0	20.7	50.8
2014	421	22.0	19.1	51.3
2015	390	23.0	16.9	49
2016	379	23.0	16.4	47.2
2017	393	23.0	17.0	51.1
2018	381	24.0	15.8	50.9
2019	369	21.0	17.5	51.8
2020	341	23.0	14.8	50.1
2021	295	28.0	10.5	51.9
2022	300	22.5	13.3	46.7
2023	305	17.0	17.9	57.4
2024	299	21.5	13.9	n/a

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 Ethel R Jones Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$241 (2.8%)	$8,493 (97.2%)	$8,734
2020	$225 (2.2%)	$9,946 (97.8%)	$10,172
2021	$357 (3.4%)	$10,015 (96.6%)	$10,372
2022	$1,461 (12.7%)	$10,061 (87.3%)	$11,522

Data source: Indiana Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Ethel R Jones 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 536^th of 1031 Elementary schools	Ranks 553^rd of 1016 Elementary schools	2.4%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Ethel R Jones Elementary School)	51.7	38.8	12.9%
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 (Ethel R Jones Elementary School)	63.3	65.3	2%
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 (Ethel R Jones Elementary School)	53.8	46.8	7%
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 (Ethel R Jones Elementary School)	66.2	46.8	19.4%
4th Grade Math (Portage Township Schools)	47.9	37.9	10%
4th Grade Math (Indiana)	54	48.8	5.2%
4th Grade Science (Ethel R Jones Elementary School)	44.6	34	10.6%
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 (Ethel R Jones Elementary School)	37.1	31.4	5.7%
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 (Ethel R Jones Elementary School)	32.3	33.3	1%
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 (Ethel R Jones Elementary School)	35.5	9.8	25.7%
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	369	305	17.3%
African American	34	25	26.5%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	3	1	66.7%
Hispanic	104	94	9.6%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	208	171	17.8%
Two or More Races	20	14	30%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	51.8%	57.4%	5.6%

Schools Near Ethel R Jones 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
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	299	22	13.9		171 (57.2%)	33 (11.0%)	87 (29.1%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.3%)	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
Rowena Kyle Elementary School	Public	K-5	2701 Hamstrom Rd	Portage	46368	Porter County	Portage Township Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 763-8030	439	23	19.0		187 (42.6%)	64 (14.6%)	164 (37.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (5.2%)	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	353	23	15.6		166 (47.0%)	63 (17.8%)	97 (27.5%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (7.1%)	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
Wallace Aylesworth Elementary	Public	K-5	5910 Central Ave	Portage	46368	Porter County	Portage Township Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 763-8010	433	26	16.6		189 (43.6%)	81 (18.7%)	128 (29.6%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (7.6%)	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
Central Elementary School	Public	K-5	2825 Russell St	Portage	46368	Porter County	Portage Township Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 763-8015	419	24	17.8		198 (47.3%)	64 (15.3%)	127 (30.3%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (6.4%)	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
South Haven Elementary School	Public	K-5	395 W Midway Dr	Valparaiso	46385	Porter County	Portage Township Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 763-8045	288	20	14.7		210 (72.9%)	21 (7.3%)	40 (13.9%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (5.2%)	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
Paul Saylor Elementary School	Public	K-5	331 Midway	Valparaiso	46385	Porter County	Portage Township Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 763-8040	283	18	15.7		134 (47.3%)	66 (23.3%)	67 (23.7%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (5.3%)	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
George L Myers Elementary School	Public	K-5	3100 Willowdale	Portage	46368	Porter County	Portage Township Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 763-8035	332	20	16.6		186 (56.0%)	19 (5.7%)	99 (29.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	26 (7.8%)	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
Liberty Elementary School	Public	K-4	50 W 900 N	Chesterton	46304	Porter County	Duneland School Corporation	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 983-3650	530	34	15.7	34.2%	401 (75.7%)	8 (1.5%)	89 (16.8%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (5.5%)	81.5	166^th of 1010 public elementary schools	83.6%		81.9	159^th of 1016 public elementary schools	84.4%	7	58.2	55.8		56.9	69.2	58.4		63.2		$11,510	$532	$10,978
Newton Yost Elementary School	Public	K-4	100 W Beam St	Porter	46304	Porter County	Duneland School Corporation	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 983-3640	381	28	13.7	44.4%	277 (72.7%)	17 (4.5%)	65 (17.1%)	5 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (4.5%)	89.1	79^th of 1010 public elementary schools	92.2%		77.3	204^th of 1016 public elementary schools	79.9%	125	56.3	68.6		62.7	72.5	69.8		71.1		$11,773	$619	$11,154

Frequently Asked Questions about Ethel R Jones Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Ethel R Jones Elementary School?

Students at Ethel R Jones Elementary School are 57% White, 29% Hispanic, 11% African American, 2% Two or more races.

What district is Ethel R Jones Elementary School in?

Portage Township Schools

What schools do graduates of Ethel R Jones Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Ethel R Jones Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Willowcreek Middle School
High : Portage High School

How many students attend Ethel R Jones Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 299 students attended Ethel R Jones Elementary School.

Is Ethel R Jones Elementary School a good school?

Ethel R Jones Elementary School ranks 543^rd of 1010 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Rate Ethel R Jones Elementary 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.