Average
#1130 of 1,823 schools in IN
Charter School of the Dunes
Elementary School · Charter School of the Dunes
7300 East Melton Rd, Gary, IN 46403
Enrollment
674
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
674
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gary
#5 of 21
public schools
Indiana elementary schools
#682 of 1,047
Academic growth
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Charter School of the Dunes
Charter School of the Dunes is a public charter school located in Gary, Indiana, on East Melton Road. Serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade, the school focuses on providing education to 674 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.7:1 and employs 43 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Charter School of the Dunes is currently in need of improvement, as evidenced by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and state ranking of #1663 out of 1831 schools in Indiana (placing it in the 9th percentile).
The school’s academic score stands at 1.3 out of 10, with only 8% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading, 5% in Math, and no students scoring proficient or above in Science. Despite these challenges, Charter School of the Dunes is situated in a large suburban area that offers a variety of community resources to support student development. The school's setting provides opportunities for students to engage with their surroundings and benefit from local amenities as they work towards academic growth and improvement.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Charter School of the Dunes 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.
Charter School of the Dunes 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Charter School of the Dunes — Students at Charter School of the Dunes score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 13%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95.1%
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: 7.5/10.
How Charter School of the Dunes Compares
See how Charter School of the Dunes performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 6.91% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 15% (2019) to 13.12% (2025).
Location
7300 East Melton Rd, Gary, IN 46403
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Charter School of the Dunes may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Liberty Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Hobart), which scores notably higher. Another option is Veterans Elementary School at Mundell (rated 5.8/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Hobart), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Banneker Elementary at Marquette (rated 5.4/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Gary, see our Gary schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.9 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46403 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$44,114
Median Home Value
$154,800
Median Rent
$939/mo
Population
10,697
College Educated
24.7%
Homeownership
47.4%
Avg Commute
31.1 min
Poverty Rate
26.3%
Median Age
41.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Charter School of the Dunes has a median household income of $44,114. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $154,800, with a median rent of $939/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Center for Inquiry School 27 Indianapolis, IN | 5.8 |
| George Washington Elementary Sch East Chicago, IN | 5.8 |
| Henryville Elementary School Henryville, IN | 5.8 |
| Huntingburg Elementary School Huntingburg, IN | 5.8 |
| Lafayette Park Elementary School Kokomo, IN | 5.8 |
| Linton-Stockton Elementary Linton, IN | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Charter School of the Dunes
What grades does Charter School of the Dunes serve?
Charter School of the Dunes serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Charter School of the Dunes?
Charter School of the Dunes has an enrollment of approximately 674 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Charter School of the Dunes?
The student-teacher ratio at Charter School of the Dunes is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Charter School of the Dunes rank in IN?
Charter School of the Dunes is ranked #1130 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Charter School of the Dunes's MySchoolScout rating?
Charter School of the Dunes has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Charter School of the Dunes?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Charter School of the Dunes has 6.6% math proficiency and 13.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Charter School of the Dunes a charter school?
Yes, Charter School of the Dunes is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Charter School of the Dunes a Title I school?
No, Charter School of the Dunes is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Charter School of the Dunes?
95.1% of students at Charter School of the Dunes 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
- County Safety
- Low (45/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 674
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 95.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lake County
- Phone
- (219) 939-9690
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charter School of the Dunes- District Enrollment
- 674
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,814
- 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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