The top reported proficiency rate is 24% in English language arts. The lowest is 15% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Valley Mills Elementary School
Valley Mills Elementary School is a regular public school in Indianapolis, serving kindergarten through sixth grade. It is part of the Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township, a suburban area within the larger Marion County. The school’s population is moderately sized for its grade band, with a student body that is roughly half white, more than a quarter Black, and substantial shares identifying as Hispanic and as two or more races. A very high proportion of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, reflecting a community with considerable economic need.
The neighborhood surrounding the school sits within the Indianapolis city limits. Typical home values here run below both the Indiana state and national averages, and rents are similarly moderate compared to broader markets. The area, according to publicly reported information, carries two active property tax levies—an operations levy and a safety levy—that fund core district functions and school safety personnel, a cost homeowners factor into the overall expense of living in the district.
On state assessments administered under Indiana’s ILEARN program, the school’s results show modest proficiency rates. Roughly one in five students met the state’s proficiency standard in math, about one in four in English language arts, and a smaller share in science and social studies, which are tested only at specific grade levels. These figures are notable for being low in absolute terms, but when placed alongside other schools across Marion County—the comparison set used here—Valley Mills Elementary sits above the midpoint in overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. That means that while the school’s performance does not reach the top tier of the county, it is still stronger than a substantial number of its peers within the same county. There are no multi-year trend data available to show whether performance is improving or declining.
Because the school serves only elementary and middle grades, there is no graduation rate to report, nor are there data on chronic absenteeism or discipline. Families evaluating the school will want to consider the district-level context shaping what happens in the building. Publicly reported information indicates that in late 2022, the district’s Growth and Learning referendum did not pass. That referendum was intended to fund educational programs, teacher retention, and facility improvements. Its failure, combined with the expiration of federal pandemic relief funds, led to budget cuts for the following school year, including staffing reductions and program adjustments. Those cuts directly affect class sizes, program availability, and the resources teachers can draw on. The district continues to operate under the two property tax levies noted earlier, but the loss of the referendum revenue represents a real constraint.
Valley Mills Elementary is, in summary, a school that serves a high-poverty student population in an affordable part of the Indianapolis metro area. Its state test scores are modest when measured against the state as a whole, but are slightly above the midpoint for its own county, which is a large and diverse district landscape. The recent district-level financial tightening is a practical concern for families, as it has already led to staffing and program changes. Parents considering this school would benefit from asking current staff about how those budget reductions have affected offerings at this specific building, from class size to enrichment activities. The school itself offers no specialized magnet or charter status; it is a neighborhood elementary serving its local attendance zone.
See more original research from School Decision →