The top reported proficiency rate is 80% in Math. The lowest is 71% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Memorial Elementary School
Memorial Elementary School serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade in Valparaiso, Indiana, as a regular public school within the Valparaiso Community Schools district. It is a straightforward neighborhood elementary school, and the academic picture it presents is one of consistent strength.
On the state’s ILEARN assessments, Memorial’s students performed at a level that placed the school in the top quartile among all elementary schools in Porter County. Proficiency rates in math and English language arts were high, and science and social studies results were similarly strong. This pattern of performance across multiple subjects suggests a school where the core instruction is functioning well across grade levels, not just in one area. For a parent looking at test results as a signal of academic foundation, the available data points to a school that delivers solid results for the majority of its students.
The student body is not especially large for an elementary school, but it is large enough to offer grade-level sections with peers. The student population is predominantly white, with a notable share of Hispanic students and smaller numbers of Asian, Black, and multiracial students. About a quarter of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a marker that places the school in a middle range economically relative to the broader community. This is not a high-poverty school, but neither is it an affluent one; it reflects a cross-section of the Valparaiso area. No data was reported on the share of students with disabilities or English learners, so a family with a child in either category would want to ask the school directly about special education services and English language support.
Valparaiso itself shapes the experience here. It is the county seat of Porter County and home to Valparaiso University, giving the town a distinct college-town feel alongside its government and retail functions. The university campus sits near downtown, and the historic commercial corridor along Lincolnway is within reach of the school. The city sits on the Valparaiso Moraine, which creates a hilly terrain unusual for this part of Indiana. Housing values in the area are above the Indiana state average, and rents follow a similar pattern, reflecting the desirability of the region. The city is located roughly one hour southeast of Chicago by car, near major interstate routes, and is about 14 miles south of the Indiana Dunes National Park. These factors make Valparaiso a place that draws families who want a medium-sized city with amenities but not a dense urban environment.
Looking at what is not available in the data, there are notable gaps. No information was reported on the school’s disciplinary record, staffing ratios, or course access. Because Memorial serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate and no high-school-level metrics like advanced coursework or career pathways. No specific program offerings were listed, so a family seeking a particular magnet theme, language immersion, or gifted pull-out program would need to inquire with the school or district to learn what is available. The district brief turned up no recent parent-relevant changes such as referendums, boundary shifts, or curriculum overhauls, so the school appears to be operating without major disruption in the near term.
For a family considering Memorial, the read is this: it is a well-performing neighborhood elementary school in a stable district located in a growing city with a university presence and access to outdoor recreation. The academic results are a clear strength. The lack of detailed information on programs and support services means a proactive conversation with the school is worthwhile, especially for a child with specific academic or developmental needs. This is a school that fits a family looking for solid academic outcomes in a conventional public-school setting within a community that has a distinct sense of place.
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