Very Good
#473 of 1,823 schools in IN
Top 26% in state
21st Century Charter Sch of Gary
School · 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary
556 Washington St, Gary, IN 46402
Enrollment
1,213
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
1,213
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gary
#2 of 21
public schools
Indiana schools
#7 of 58
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary
21st Century Charter School of Gary serves 1,213 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in Gary, Indiana. As a public charter school with 100 full-time equivalent teachers, it maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.1 to 1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school is working to improve its academic outcomes, with current math proficiency at 8% across grade levels and room for significant growth in overall performance.
With a MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranking in the 14th percentile statewide, the school is focusing on student development and educational progress. Located on Washington Street, the school serves a community where many families face economic challenges, with a local poverty rate of 46.1% and median household income of $26,101. The surrounding neighborhood in the 46402 ZIP code has a population of 5,873 residents, with 9% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and median home values around $69,400.
Despite the challenges, the school's charter status provides flexibility in educational approaches and programming. The relatively small student-teacher ratio offers opportunities for personalized instruction and support. 21st Century Charter School operates in Gary's large suburban setting, serving as an educational option for families in this Lake County community.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
21st Century Charter Sch of Gary is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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21st Century Charter Sch of Gary — Students at 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 22 test records from IN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.5/10.
How 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary Compares
See how 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 16% (2019) to 19.22% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 20% (2019) to 18.28% (2025).
Location
556 Washington St, Gary, IN 46402
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary may also want to explore other schools in the area. Gary Lighthouse Charter School (rated 7.5/10, 2.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Steel City Academy (rated 5.8/10, 3.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Thea Bowman Leadership Academy (rated 5.4/10, 2.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Gary, see our Gary schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gary Middle College Gary | 0.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Daniel Hale Williams Elem Sch Gary | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Beveridge Elementary School Gary | 1.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Mary M Bethune Early Child Dev Ctr Gary | 2.2 mi | 2.6 |
| Thea Bowman Leadership Academy Gary | 2.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Frankie Woods McCullough Academy Gary | 2.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Gary Career Center Gary | 3.4 mi | — |
| Gary Virtual Academy Gary | 3.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Steel City Academy Gary | 3.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Gary Lighthouse Charter School Gary | 2.8 mi | 7.5 |
| MY SAFARI PREPARATORY ACADEMY Gary | 3.7 mi | — |
| Aspire Charter Academy Gary | 3.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Henry S Evans Elementary School Lake Station | 3.8 mi | 3.8 |
| REPAIRER OF THE BREACH MINISTRIES (D211) Gary | 4.1 mi | — |
| Bailly Middle School Gary | 4.6 mi | 3.6 |
| West Side Leadership Academy Gary | 3.6 mi | 5.2 |
| ASCENSION LUTHERAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gary | 4.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Lake Ridge New Tech Middle School Gary | 4.6 mi | 4.4 |
| River Forest High School Hobart | 4.2 mi | 6.1 |
| MY SAFARI PREPARATORY ACADEMY GEORGIA ST. CAMPUS Gary | 5.0 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46402 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$29,125
Median Home Value
$61,200
Median Rent
$904/mo
Population
5,636
College Educated
9.8%
Homeownership
37.8%
Avg Commute
25.1 min
Poverty Rate
44.4%
Median Age
34.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary has a median household income of $29,125. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $61,200, with a median rent of $904/month. The area has a poverty rate of 44.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Gary Lighthouse Charter School Gary, IN | 7.5 |
| EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newburgh, IN | 6.8 |
| Victory College Prep Indianapolis, IN | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary
What grades does 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary serve?
21st Century Charter Sch of Gary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary?
21st Century Charter Sch of Gary has an enrollment of approximately 1,213 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary?
The student-teacher ratio at 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary rank in IN?
21st Century Charter Sch of Gary is ranked #473 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary's MySchoolScout rating?
21st Century Charter Sch of Gary has a composite rating of 7.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary has 16.1% math proficiency and 17.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary a charter school?
Yes, 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary a Title I school?
No, 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary?
78.8% of students at 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,213
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 100
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lake County
- Phone
- (219) 886-9339
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
21st Century Charter Sch of Gary- District Enrollment
- 1,213
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,949
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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 methodologyRelated reading
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