- Enrollment
- 2,163
- Students per teacher
- 18.3:1
- Resource Index
- 32/100
Elementary school (grades K-5) · Portage, IN
Central Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for Central Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 33/100.
2024-25 NCES dataElementary school (grades K-5)NCES 180915001508
👥 S:T ratio 22
🌟 Gifted program 30
📋 Attendance 46
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Central Elementary School earns 33/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 89% of Indiana schools. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Indiana schools.
- #3 of 6
- elementary schools in Portage · Resource Index
- 33
- Resource Index · Typical
- 19.5:1
- large classes for Indiana
- 66.2%
- free-lunch eligible
Central Elementary School has class sizes larger than 89% of Indiana schools. Computed live against every Indiana school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Central Elementary School ranks #3 of 6 elementary schools in Portage, IN.
School address
District: Portage Township Schools · Indiana
NCES ID 180915001508 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-34 students YoY
Central Elementary School shrank from 453 students in 2022-23 to 419 in 2023-24 (-7.5%).
Teacher FTE added 21.5 → 23.5 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Shrinking CCD campus
-34 students YoY 180915001508 · Portage, IN Elementary · SMALL · TRAD
409 enr · 19.5:1 · 66.2% lunch · RII 33
Nearest enrollment peer: Portage High School (2,163 students)
Central Elementary School shrank from 453 students in 2022-23 to 419 in 2023-24 (-7.5%). Teacher FTE added 21.5 → 23.5 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Indiana schools → · Find another →
Central Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Portage High S
Portage High School
2,163 students
- Willowcreek Mi
Willowcreek Middle School
920 students
- William Fegely 566
William Fegely Middle School
566 students
- Rowena Kyle El 437
Rowena Kyle Elementary School
437 students
- This school 409
Central Elementary School
409 students
- Wallace Aylesw 401
Wallace Aylesworth Elementary
401 students
What this shows Central Elementary School reports 409 students on the CCD universe file.
How Central Elementary School compares
Central Elementary School is a shrinking campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Indiana and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Indiana | Indiana avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 19.5:1 | ▲ 23% | 15.9:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 66.2% | ▲ 34% | 49.5% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 409 | top 58% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
19.5:1
Leaner classes than 18% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
409
Bigger than 49% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
66.2%
free-lunch eligible
- 34% above the Indiana average of 49.5%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
19.5:1
students per teacher
- 23% above state mean
Top 89% in Indiana - lower ratio than 11% of state schools
Between 16:1 and 20:1, squarely in the typical U.S. public-school staffing range.
Engagement
21.5%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$12,458
per pupil, district-wide
- below Indiana avg of $12,921
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors0.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
6
in-school suspensions + 32 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 1.5 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 9.3 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 45.7%
Hispanic or Latino 29.6%
African American 15.6%
Two or More 8.3%
Asian 0.5%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.2%
Largest group: White at 45.7% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 67.2/100
Simpson diversity index - at 67.2, Central Elementary School is more mixed than the Indiana school average of 39.0.
Programs
District finance for Portage Township Schools reports $12,458 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Central Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portage High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Willowcreek Middle School | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| William Fegely Middle School | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Rowena Kyle Elementary School | Similar size | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Wallace Aylesworth Elementary | Similar size | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Central Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 920
- Students per teacher
- 15.1:1
- Resource Index
- 28/100
- Enrollment
- 566
- Students per teacher
- 14.2:1
- Resource Index
- 18/100
- Enrollment
- 437
- Students per teacher
- 20.8:1
- Resource Index
- 37/100
- Enrollment
- 401
- Students per teacher
- 21.1:1
- Resource Index
- 33/100
Similar elementary schools in Portage
5 comparable elementary schools (grades K-5) serving the same city.
Rowena Kyle Elementary School
Standard public school
437 students 20.8:1 students per teacher
Wallace Aylesworth Elementary
Standard public school
401 students 21.1:1 students per teacher
Ethel R Jones Elementary School
Standard public school
363 students 21.4:1 students per teacher
Crisman Elementary School
Standard public school
343 students 17.1:1 students per teacher
George L Myers Elementary School
Standard public school
332 students 19.5:1 students per teacher
Nationwide elementary schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~409 students)
Frequently asked questions about Central Elementary School
How many students attend Central Elementary School?
Central Elementary School has 409 students enrolled. It is an elementary school in Portage, IN. CCD year-over-year: 453 (2022-23) → 419 (2023-24), down 34.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School is 19.5:1, which is 23% higher than the Indiana average of 15.9:1 and 24% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Central Elementary School?
66.2% of students at Central Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Indiana average of 49.5%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Central Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at Central Elementary School is White at 45.7% of enrollment, in Portage, IN. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 67.2/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Central Elementary School?
Central Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 33/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Central Elementary School rank among elementary schools in Portage?
By Resource Investment Index, Central Elementary School ranks #3 of 6 elementary schools in Portage, IN. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all elementary schools in Portage on the city page.
What other schools are in Portage Township Schools?
Besides Central Elementary School, Portage Township Schools also operates Portage High School (2,163 students), Willowcreek Middle School (920 students), and William Fegely Middle School (566 students). See the Portage Township Schools district page for the complete list.