Msd of New Durham Township, IN

Original Research by School Decision on Msd of New Durham Township

MSD of New Durham Township serves students from prekindergarten through twelfth grade in Indiana’s LaPorte County. The district operates two schools, Westville Elementary School and Westville High School, and enrolls a student body that is small for a countywide district. Demographically the student population is predominantly white, with a modest share of Hispanic students and smaller groups identifying as two or more races, Black, or Asian. Data on how many students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, receive special education services, or are classified as English learners was not available for this profile, so a parent may want to ask the district directly about those supports.

On state assessments administered in grades three through eight, the district’s proficiency rates sit at a level that places it in the bottom quartile among LaPorte County’s six districts when looking at overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. In math, roughly two out of five students scored proficient or above. In English language arts, about one in three reached that bar. Science results were stronger, with nearly half of tested students meeting proficiency. Social studies, tested only in fifth grade, showed about one in four students proficient. These results point to an academic pathway where a significant portion of students are building foundational skills below the state’s target, and families considering the district may want to ask about specific interventions and curriculum supports in elementary and middle grades.

A clear strength surfaces in attendance. The district’s chronic absenteeism rate is low, among the best in the county. That suggests students, on the whole, are showing up consistently, which is a foundational condition for learning.

The district’s per-pupil spending falls in the middle range but on the lower side when compared with other LaPorte County districts. No graduation rate was reported, so it is not possible to speak to how many students finish high school within four years. The district’s brief turned up little in the way of recent publicly reported changes or strategic initiatives, so the available picture is largely static.

Housing in the communities served by the district, which include parts of La Porte, Westville, Union Mills, and Michigan City, shows home values that are broadly in line with what is typical across Indiana, though the mix of ZIP codes means there is variation depending on which town a family chooses. Rental costs are on the rise, and for most households buying is more expensive than renting in the current mortgage rate environment.

For a family weighing this district, the most relevant factors are the low chronic absenteeism and the small, two‑school structure, alongside academic proficiency that is below county averages. A parent who values consistent attendance and a close‑knit setting may find that the school community works well for their child, particularly if they are prepared to be proactive about academic support. Those looking for a district with stronger test scores or a wider range of program offerings will want to explore options further.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

948

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 7%

Black 1%

White 86%

Asian 0%

Two+ 5%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

22%

21%

Gr 4

44%

40%

Gr 5

31%

34%

Gr 6

32%

38%

Gr 7

33%

31%

Gr 8

23%

53%

Math

Gr 3

35%

41%

Gr 4

50%

60%

Gr 5

25%

45%

Gr 6

26%

31%

Gr 7

40%

33%

Gr 8

18%

47%

Science

Gr 4

62%

46%

Gr 6

37%

44%

Social studies

Gr 5

31%

19%

Schools in this District

2 schools are officially reported under this district.

Westville Elementary School

Westville High School

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

1 grade reported

39%

Grades 3-8

English Language Arts

1 grade reported

34%

Grades 3-8

Science

1 grade reported

48%

Grades 3-8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

24%

Grade 5

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$305,786

Year-over-year change+4.6%

Range across 4 ZIP codes$231K to $345K

vs. state typical1.19x

vs. national typical0.83x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (4 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
46350	La Porte	$271K	+4.1%	51.2%
46391	Westville	$345K	+5.1%	45.6%
46382	Union Mills	$294K	+6.3%	3.0%
46360	Michigan City	$231K	+4.5%	0.1%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$1,066/mo

Year-over-year change+10.1%

Range across 2 ZIP codes$1,066 to $1,183/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (2 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
46350	La Porte	$1,066	—	51.2%
46360	Michigan City	$1,183	+10.1%	0.1%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,543/mo

Home price / national median income3.6x

Annual rent / national median income15.3%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$477/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$256,584 (+3.0% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.