Below Average
#1551 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
4.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
674
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Indiana schools
#1,551 of 1,823
In Gary
#11 of 21
public schools
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Charter School of the Dunes
Elementary School in Gary · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Gary Middle School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Thomas a Edison Jr-sr HS
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Charter School of the Dunes
Charter School of the Dunes is a public elementary school in Gary, IN, part of Charter School of the Dunes. Charter School of the Dunes serves approximately 674 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 15.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Charter School of the Dunes has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,551 of 1,823 schools in IN.
Structured state assessment records for Charter School of the Dunes show 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.3 · Below Average
- IN avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
Charter School of the Dunes is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
43% of students at Charter School of the Dunes were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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: 14%).
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 44 test records from IN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.1/10.
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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Early Learning Center-George Earle (rated 6.9/10, 3.9 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), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Liberty Elementary School (rated 5.5/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Hobart), which scores notably higher. 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Erskine Elementary School Anderson, IN | 4.3 |
| Evans School Evansville, IN | 4.3 |
| Frankton Elementary School Frankton, IN | 4.3 |
| Pioneer Elementary School Royal Center, IN | 4.3 |
| Brookside School 54 Indianapolis, IN | 4.2 |
| Fairview Elementary School Logansport, IN | 4.2 |
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 ranks #1,551 of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Charter School of the Dunes's MySchoolScout rating?
Charter School of the Dunes has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Charter School of the Dunes?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Charter School of the Dunes has 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.7%
- Phone
- (219) 939-9690
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
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