Union Center Elementary School

Summary:

Union Center Elementary School is a high-performing public elementary school in Valparaiso, Indiana, serving 413 students in grades K-5. The school is part of the Union Township School Corporation, which is ranked 10th out of 381 school districts in the state and has a 5-star rating.

Union Center Elementary consistently ranks among the top elementary schools in Indiana, earning a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger and boasting exceptional academic performance. In the 2023-2024 school year, 69.81% of students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 67.59% for the district and 38.6% for the state. In Math, the school's proficiency rate was 75.47%, significantly higher than the district's 66.77% and the state's 52.4%. This strong academic achievement is in contrast to some nearby schools, such as Central Elementary and John Wood Elementary, which have more diverse student populations and lower proficiency rates.

While Union Center Elementary's student population is relatively homogeneous, with 83.54% of students identifying as White, the school also stands out for its low percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, at just 17.92% in the 2022-2023 school year. This is significantly lower than nearby schools like Paul Saylor Elementary, which has a free/reduced lunch rate of 74.66%. These demographic differences suggest that Union Center Elementary may benefit from greater community resources and support, contributing to its exceptional academic performance and low chronic absenteeism rates.


Detail:

Public K-5

 272 N 600 W
       Valparaiso, IN  46385


(219) 759-2544

District: Union Township School Corp

SchoolDigger Rank:
30th of 1,010 Indiana Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $8,937 Help


Students who attend Union Center Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Union Township Middle School
High:    Wheeler High School

Student/teacher ratio:  18.7 Help
Number of students:  413

Racial breakdown:

White:
83.5%
Hispanic:
11.6%
Two or more races:
3.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  17.9% Help


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 Compare Union Center Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Union Center Elementary School ranks better than 97% of elementary schools in Indiana. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 94.74. (See more...)
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Chronic absenteeism in a high 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
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (83.5%), Hispanic (11.6%), two or more races (3.4%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 17.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Union Center Elementary School is 18.7. (See more...)
Help
Compare Union Center Elementary School employs 22 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Union Center Elementary School is $8,937.
Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Union Township School Corp:

SchoolDigger ranks Union Township School Corp 10th of 381 Indiana school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Union Center Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 90.40 40th 959 95.8%
2006 91.02 32nd 961 96.7%
2007 86.76 61st 985 93.8%
2008 89.40 44th 996 95.6%
2009 90.32 34th 1003 96.6%
2010 87.53 49th 1009 95.1%
2011 83.21 86th 1025 91.6%
2012 79.98 145th 1015 85.7%
2013 78.29 160th 1035 84.5%
2014 68.14 342nd 1036 67.0%
2015 83.00 114th 1040 89.0%
2016 80.22 155th 1046 85.2%
2017 91.63 27th 1033 97.4%
2018 92.16 30th 1027 97.1%
2019 90.94 55th 1031 94.7%
2021 83.86 135th 1016 86.7%
2022 91.01 62nd 1020 93.9%
2023 96.10 19th 1016 98.1%
2024 94.74 30th 1010 97.0%
See the entire list of Indiana Elementary School Rankings!

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

Union Center Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
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Data source: Indiana Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!


Enrollment information for Union Center Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 523 1 12 6 6 n/a n/a 0 548
1989 470 2 14 8 0 n/a n/a 0 494
1990 360 2 13 5 1 n/a n/a 0 381
1991 370 1 18 10 5 n/a n/a 0 404
1992 377 1 16 10 5 n/a n/a 0 409
1993 367 1 5 9 0 n/a n/a 0 382
1994 362 1 7 10 0 n/a n/a 0 380
1995 399 2 7 8 0 n/a n/a 0 416
1996 399 2 7 8 0 n/a n/a 0 416
1997 390 2 5 14 0 n/a n/a 1 412
1998 376 3 7 15 2 n/a n/a 0 403
1999 341 3 6 14 2 n/a n/a 0 366
2000 365 3 5 15 1 n/a n/a 0 389
2001 339 5 2 22 0 n/a n/a 0 368
2002 363 2 6 17 6 n/a n/a 0 394
2003 363 2 6 17 6 n/a n/a 0 394
2004 373 2 2 16 5 n/a n/a 0 398
2005 369 4 2 20 6 n/a n/a 0 401
2006 376 6 6 17 4 n/a n/a 0 409
2007 362 6 11 18 3 n/a n/a 18 418
2008 343 9 9 18 5 n/a n/a 17 401
2009 345 10 7 20 0 n/a n/a 23 405
2010 323 13 7 17 0 n/a n/a 16 376
2011 321 9 5 27 1 0 15 0 378
2012 303 10 2 23 0 0 12 0 350
2013 264 11 0 23 1 0 13 0 312
2014 270 7 0 30 1 0 8 0 316
2015 269 11 1 29 1 0 6 0 317
2016 246 7 1 40 1 0 8 0 303
2017 286 11 1 38 1 0 7 0 344
2018 281 6 1 48 0 0 5 0 341
2019 302 5 1 52 0 0 6 0 366
2020 329 7 0 43 0 0 10 0 389
2021 303 4 0 56 0 0 9 0 372
2022 341 4 2 47 0 0 8 0 402
2023 345 4 2 48 0 0 14 0 413

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 Union Center Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 548 24.9 22.0 6.9
1989 494 26.2 18.8 4
1990 381 22.5 16.9 1.8
1991 404 23.6 17.1 3.2
1992 409 19.2 21.3 3.4
1993 382 21.2 18.0 2.6
1994 380 22.0 17.3 1.6
1995 416 21.7 19.2 2.6
1996 416 21.7 19.2 2.6
1997 412 21.6 19.1 1.7
1998 403 21.6 18.7 3
1999 366 20.0 18.3 4.1
2000 389 21.7 17.9 3.1
2001 368 19.5 18.9 4.3
2002 394 20.4 19.3 6.1
2003 394 20.4 19.3 6.1
2004 398 20.1 19.8 6.8
2005 401 21.0 19.1 6.7
2006 409 21.9 18.7 6.4
2007 418 n/a n/a 9.5
2008 401 21.7 18.5 7.8
2009 405 22.2 18.2 12.8
2010 376 23.0 16.3 14.7
2011 378 17.6 21.4 13.5
2012 350 19.1 18.3 13.4
2013 312 18.1 17.2 15.1
2014 316 15.5 20.3 13
2015 317 18.0 17.6 17
2016 303 16.0 18.9 15.5
2017 344 16.0 21.5 17.7
2018 341 17.5 19.4 17.9
2019 366 19.0 19.2 17.8
2020 389 19.5 19.9 22.1
2021 372 20.5 18.1 20.2
2022 402 21.0 19.1 19.4
2023 413 22.0 18.7 17.9

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 Union Center Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 548 24.9 22.0 6.9
1989 494 26.2 18.8 4
1990 381 22.5 16.9 1.8
1991 404 23.6 17.1 3.2
1992 409 19.2 21.3 3.4
1993 382 21.2 18.0 2.6
1994 380 22.0 17.3 1.6
1995 416 21.7 19.2 2.6
1996 416 21.7 19.2 2.6
1997 412 21.6 19.1 1.7
1998 403 21.6 18.7 3
1999 366 20.0 18.3 4.1
2000 389 21.7 17.9 3.1
2001 368 19.5 18.9 4.3
2002 394 20.4 19.3 6.1
2003 394 20.4 19.3 6.1
2004 398 20.1 19.8 6.8
2005 401 21.0 19.1 6.7
2006 409 21.9 18.7 6.4
2007 418 n/a n/a 9.5
2008 401 21.7 18.5 7.8
2009 405 22.2 18.2 12.8
2010 376 23.0 16.3 14.7
2011 378 17.6 21.4 13.5
2012 350 19.1 18.3 13.4
2013 312 18.1 17.2 15.1
2014 316 15.5 20.3 13
2015 317 18.0 17.6 17
2016 303 16.0 18.9 15.5
2017 344 16.0 21.5 17.7
2018 341 17.5 19.4 17.9
2019 366 19.0 19.2 17.8
2020 389 19.5 19.9 22.1
2021 372 20.5 18.1 20.2
2022 402 21.0 19.1 19.4
2023 413 22.0 18.7 17.9

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 Union Center Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $35 (0.4%) $7,865 (99.6%) $7,900
2020 $16 (0.2%) $7,743 (99.8%) $7,759
2021 $60 (0.7%) $8,804 (99.3%) $8,864
2022 $57 (0.6%) $8,880 (99.4%) $8,937

Data source: Indiana Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Union Center 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 55th of 1031 Elementary schoolsRanks 19th of 1016 Elementary schools
 3.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Union Center Elementary School)76.776.1
 0.6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Union Township School Corp)80.973.2
 7.8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)46.339.7
 6.6%
3rd Grade Math (Union Center Elementary School)8086.6
 6.6%
   3rd Grade Math (Union Township School Corp)80.983.3
 2.4%
   3rd Grade Math (Indiana)58.753.1
 5.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Union Center Elementary School)66.767.1
 0.4%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Union Township School Corp)62.963.3
 0.4%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)45.840.3
 5.5%
4th Grade Math (Union Center Elementary School)64.880.3
 15.5%
   4th Grade Math (Union Township School Corp)69.781.7
 12%
   4th Grade Math (Indiana)5448.8
 5.2%
4th Grade Science (Union Center Elementary School)68.571.1
 2.6%
   4th Grade Science (Union Township School Corp)66.368.3
 2%
   4th Grade Science (Indiana)46.337
 9.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Union Center Elementary School)79.774.3
 5.4%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Union Township School Corp)68.567.6
 0.9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)47.540.2
 7.3%
5th Grade Math (Union Center Elementary School)7168.6
 2.4%
   5th Grade Math (Union Township School Corp)71.265.8
 5.4%
   5th Grade Math (Indiana)47.841.1
 6.7%
5th Grade Social Studies (Union Center Elementary School)88.471.4
 17%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Union Township School Corp)8258.6
 23.4%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Indiana)4639.1
 6.9%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students366413
 12.8%
African American54
 20%
American Indian00
Asian12
 100%
Hispanic5248
 7.7%
Pacific Islander00
White302345
 14.2%
Two or More Races614
 133.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients17.8%17.9%
 0.2%


Schools Near Union Center Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Union Center Elementary School

In the 2022-23 school year, 413 students attended Union Center Elementary School.

Yes! Union Center Elementary School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 30th of 1010 Indiana elementary schools.

Students at Union Center Elementary School are 84% White, 12% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races.

Students who attend Union Center Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Union Township Middle School
High : Wheeler 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.





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