Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0Gary’s public schools score below 96% of Indiana districts on tests and graduation
In Gary, 5% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Indiana average (38%). The grade covers the public school district serving Gary, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Indiana, not nationally.
From Indiana state tests taken in spring 2022, when 93% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Gary’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 11% of tested students were proficient in reading and 5% in math, against 41% and 38% statewide; 93% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
62% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Indiana. Districts ↓
Spending, and where it came from
The district spent $21,493 per student in FY2024, against $13,688 across Indiana. 27% of its revenue that year was federal (Indiana 11%), in the last year of pandemic relief. Districts ↓
Seven elementary schools, then three middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Gary’s grade
D−: better than 4% of Indiana school districts, #591 of 592 Indiana towns. Both inputs trail the Indiana average; among the 144 Indiana towns with similar household incomes, Gary’s schools place at the bottom.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Gary, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Gary · depends on your address
Frankie Woods McCullough Academy
Grades PK–5 · 472 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Mary M Bethune Early Child Dev Ctr
Grades PK–K · 231 students · 23:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Gary · depends on your address
Gary Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 365 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Bailly Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 355 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Gary Virtual Academy
Grades K–12 · 45 students · 20:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Gary · depends on your address
Gary Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 365 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Bailly Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 355 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Gary Virtual Academy
Grades K–12 · 45 students · 20:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Gary · depends on your address
Gary Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 365 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Bailly Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 355 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Gary Virtual Academy
Grades K–12 · 45 students · 20:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Gary · depends on your address
West Side Leadership Academy
Grades 9–12 · 1,232 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Gary Virtual Academy
Grades K–12 · 45 students · 20:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Gary · depends on your address
West Side Leadership Academy
Grades 9–12 · 1,232 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Gary Virtual Academy
Grades K–12 · 45 students · 20:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Gary · depends on your address
West Side Leadership Academy
Grades 9–12 · 1,232 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Gary Virtual Academy
Grades K–12 · 45 students · 20:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Gary · depends on your address
West Side Leadership Academy
Grades 9–12 · 1,232 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Gary Virtual Academy
Grades K–12 · 45 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Gary’s public schools are run by Gary Community School Corporation, which also serves Calumet. Parts of Gary (13% and 3% of its land) are served by Lake Ridge Schools and River Forest Community School Corporation instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Gary vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Indiana towns that share Gary’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Gary | D− | Gary Community School Corporation |
| Calumet | D− | Gary Community School Corporation |
| Lake Station | C− | River Forest Community School Corporation PK–12 · Lake Station K–12 |
| North | C− | Hammond School City PK–12 · City of East Chicago PK–12 |
| Hobart | C+ | Hobart School City PK–12 · River Forest Community School Corporation PK–12 · Lake Station K–12 |
| Hammond | C− | Hammond School City |
| East Chicago | D | City of East Chicago |
| Portage | C+ | Portage Township Schools |
| Merrillville | C+ | Merrillville Community School |
| Ross | C+ | Merrillville Community School |
| Hobart (city) | B− | Hobart School City PK–12 · Merrillville Community School PK–12 |
| Highland | B+ | Highland School Town |
| Griffith | A− | Griffith PK–12 · Lake Central School Corporation PK–12 |
Every school in Gary
10 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Indiana’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Gary’s schools
Are Gary’s schools good?
On Indiana’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Gary children attend score below 96% of Indiana’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they place at the bottom. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Gary in?
Gary Community School Corporation, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,383 students in 10 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Gary are served by Lake Ridge Schools and River Forest Community School Corporation.
Where do Gary kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: West Side Leadership Academy and Gary Virtual Academy.
What is Gary’s graduation rate?
62% of the class of 2023 in Gary Community School Corporation graduated in four years, against 88% across Indiana.
How much does Gary spend per student?
$21,493 in Gary Community School Corporation (FY2024), against $13,688 across Indiana. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Gary families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Gary → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Indiana. Stars are from neighbors.