Best Schools in Gary, Indiana
26 schools · 12 Elementary · 3 Middle · 5 High · 6 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.3/10
- Median household income
- $37,330
- Median home value
- $87,871
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 14%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 47%
9% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Gary compares
Indiana rank
#185 of 218
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.0
below Indiana avg (6.3)
Median household income
$37k
52% of Indiana median
Schools in this city
22
About Schools in Gary, Indiana
Gary, Indiana is home to 26 schools, including 22 public schools and 4 private schools. The city's schools span 12 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 5 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.3 out of 10, schools in Gary show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in Gary is Gary Lighthouse Charter School with a composite score of 7.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Gary is served by 10 school districts. These districts collectively serve 10,527 students.
Gary's community shows 14% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $37,330. The poverty rate in the area is 32.9%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
12 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 576 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.9 | ||
| 2 | 674 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.8 | ||
| 3 | 343 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.7 | ||
| 4 | 276 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.4 | ||
| 5 | 533 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.1 | ||
| 6 | 448 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.0 | ||
| 7 | 416 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.2 | ||
| 8 | 486 students · Kindergarten–4th | 3.7 | ||
| 9 | 253 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | 2.6 | ||
| Private Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 46 students · Kindergarten–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 9 students · Pre-K–TK | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | MY SAFARI PREPARATORY ACADEMY
Private
4 students · Kindergarten–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 324 students · 6th–8th | 5.1 |
| 2 | 432 students · 5th–8th | 4.4 |
| 3 | 374 students · 6th–8th | 3.6 |
High Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 149 students · 9th–12th | 6.1 |
| 2 | 128 students · 9th–12th | 5.3 |
| 3 | 612 students · 9th–12th | 5.3 |
| 4 | 998 students · 9th–12th | 5.2 |
| 5 | 1 students · 6th–12th | — |
Other Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,066 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.5 | ||
| 2 | 1,213 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.3 | ||
| 3 | 317 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.8 | ||
| 4 | 849 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.4 | ||
| 5 | 59 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.2 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 27 students · Pre-K–9th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Gary
Gary, Indiana · 26 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 7 ZIP codes
Median Income
$37,330
Median Home Value
$87,871
Median Rent
$975/mo
Population
73,224
College Educated
14%
Homeownership
47%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
32.9%
Community Profile
Gary has a median household income of $37,330. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $87,871, with a median rent of $975/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- Indiana
- Total Schools
- 26
- Elementary
- 12
- Middle
- 3
- High
- 5
- Districts
- 10
- Avg Rating
- 5.3/10
School Districts (10)
Thea Bowman Leadership Academy
1 school · 849 students
Charter School of the Dunes
1 school · 674 students
21st Century Charter Sch of Gary
1 school · 1,213 students
Gary Lighthouse Charter School
1 school · 1,066 students
Aspire Charter Academy
1 school · 576 students
Gary Middle College
1 school · 149 students
Steel City Academy
1 school · 317 students
Excel Center - Gary
1 school · 128 students
Gary Community School Corp
11 schools · 4,025 students
Lake Ridge New Tech Schools
3 schools · 1,530 students
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Indiana
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Gary, Indiana
How many schools are in Gary, Indiana?
Gary has 26 schools, including 22 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Gary, Indiana?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Gary is 5.3 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Gary, Indiana?
The top-ranked school in Gary on MySchoolScout is Gary Lighthouse Charter School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Gary, Indiana?
The top-ranked elementary school in Gary on MySchoolScout is Aspire Charter Academy with a composite score of 6.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Gary, Indiana?
The top-ranked middle school in Gary on MySchoolScout is Gary Middle School with a composite score of 5.1/10.
What is the best high school in Gary, Indiana?
The top-ranked high school in Gary on MySchoolScout is Gary Middle College with a composite score of 6.1/10.
How many school districts serve Gary, Indiana?
Gary is served by 10 school districts: Thea Bowman Leadership Academy, Charter School of the Dunes, 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary, Gary Lighthouse Charter School, Aspire Charter Academy, Gary Middle College, Steel City Academy, Excel Center - Gary, Gary Community School Corp, Lake Ridge New Tech Schools.
What is the education level in Gary, Indiana?
According to Census data, 14% of adults in Gary have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Gary, Indiana?
The median household income in Gary is approximately $37,330 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Gary, Indiana?
Yes, Gary has 4 private schools alongside 22 public schools. The top-rated private school is Ascension Lutheran Christian School with a score of 6.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Gary, Indiana?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Gary is 17.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Gary, Indiana?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
Related reading
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Indiana Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.