The top reported proficiency rate is 25% in Social studies. The lowest is 4% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Union Junior & High School
Modoc is a very small, primarily residential rural town in Randolph County, Indiana, a community of a few streets clustered near the intersection of two state highways. There is no commercial district, no public transit, and no walkable downtown. The surrounding area is agricultural. Most residents commute to larger cities like Muncie or Richmond for work, and the town’s population has been stable to slightly declining. The local public school system, Union School Corporation, serves the broader township area. Its secondary campus, Union Junior & High School, covers grades seven through twelve.
The school is small for a secondary school, with total enrollment in the low hundreds spread across six grade levels. The student body is overwhelmingly white, with very small numbers of Black, Hispanic, or multiracial students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a community with modest household incomes.
State testing results for math and English language arts are notably low. Proficiency rates fall well below state averages, and the school’s overall performance across tested subjects places it in the bottom quarter among districts in Randolph County. This is a significant soft spot, and a parent considering this school should look into this further with the school, reviewing what academic supports are in place and whether recent trends show any movement. Testing data for social studies is from a prior assessment and is too old to inform the current picture.
The school offers no advanced placement, career, or dual-credit programs in the data reviewed, so it is likely that the curriculum is a standard college-preparatory and general track. For a family whose priority is a small, rural setting where their child will be in a very small peer group, that may be the right fit. For a family seeking a wide range of course options or strong academic outcomes, the current performance and limited offerings will be a serious concern.
The district itself is facing a major structural change. Publicly reported sources indicate that a 2025 Indiana law includes a provision to dissolve Union School Corporation, effective in 2027. The district’s small in-person enrollment and its large virtual education program reportedly factored into the legislature’s decision. If the dissolution proceeds, families in Modoc and the surrounding area will be reassigned to neighboring districts, fundamentally altering school options and property tax obligations. This is a matter to confirm with the school or district directly, as it would represent a complete change in the educational landscape for any family enrolling now or in the near future.
Housing in the area is below the state median home value but has seen notable appreciation recently. For a family buying in, the housing cost is relatively modest compared to national benchmarks, and the monthly mortgage estimate is below the typical rent cost, which may tilt the math toward purchasing if the dissolution outcome does not destabilize the local housing picture.
Union Junior & High School serves a small, rural, predominantly white community. Its academic performance is well below the county median, and the district’s future is uncertain due to the pending dissolution. For a family who values a very small school in an agricultural setting and is prepared for limited academic breadth, this school exists as an option, but the low proficiency and district instability are significant factors to weigh before making a commitment.
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