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Excellent

#36 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 2% in state

Chesterton Middle School

Middle School · Duneland School Corporation

651 W Morgan Ave, Chesterton, IN 46304

Enrollment

870

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

9.0

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chesterton

#2 of 8

public schools

Indiana middle schools

#6 of 330

In district

#4 of 10

Duneland School Corporation

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Chesterton Middle School

Chesterton Middle School serves 870 seventh and eighth graders in Chesterton, Indiana, earning a composite score of 9.0 out of 10 — a rating of Exceptional. Academic performance anchors that score: a 9.5 out of 10 on academics pairs with a near-perfect 9.9 on growth, meaning students here consistently gain more ground year over year than peers across the state. That growth shows up in the rankings.

Chesterton Middle places 6th out of 330 middle schools statewide, outperforming 98% of Indiana public schools overall. Measured against every public school in Indiana — elementary through high school — it ranks 36th out of 1,823. Those are numbers that hold at any level, not just the middle school bracket.

With 870 students across two grades, the school operates a focused structure rather than the sprawling departmental model common at larger campuses. The student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1 keeps instruction personal. Families comparing schools in Chesterton will find this is the clear standout — it ranks second among the eight public schools in town, and its statewide numbers are harder to match than the local ranking alone suggests.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+3.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.5Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.4%
Math vs. State Avg+29.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+30.3 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected+14.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
Resources & Environment6.7Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,291

Chesterton Middle School — Students at Chesterton Middle School score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 57.3%
School
State
37.6%
ELA Proficiency 61.0%
School
State
40.5%

Based on 11 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
48%
ELA
49%
2021*
Math
48%
ELA
51%
2022
Math
51%
2025
Math
65.5%
ELA
68.3%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Chesterton Middle School Compares

See how Chesterton Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.0/10
98th percentile in IN
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
6.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
57 teachers

Location

651 W Morgan Ave, Chesterton, IN 46304

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Chesterton Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Westchester Intermediate School (rated 8.9/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Liberty Intermediate School (rated 8.2/10, 3.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Chesterton, see our Chesterton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Trojan Virtual Academy Chesterton 0.1 mi 4.1
Bailly Elementary School Chesterton 0.5 mi 7.9
Westchester Intermediate School Chesterton 0.7 mi 8.9
ST PATRICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chesterton 1.0 mi 5.8
Newton Yost Elementary School Porter 1.1 mi 9.0
Chesterton Senior High School Chesterton 1.4 mi 8.0
Discovery Charter School Porter 2.1 mi 4.2
Brummitt Elementary School Chesterton 2.2 mi 9.1
CHESTERTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Chesterton 2.4 mi
Liberty Intermediate School Chesterton 3.2 mi 8.2
Liberty Elementary School Chesterton 3.3 mi 8.8
Ethel R Jones Elementary School Portage 4.7 mi 6.1
Paul Saylor Elementary School Valparaiso 5.8 mi 4.5
Jackson Elementary School Valparaiso 5.6 mi 9.0
South Haven Elementary School Valparaiso 6.2 mi 6.7
EMMANUEL BAPTIST ACADEMY Valparaiso 6.2 mi 7.9
Flint Lake Elementary School Valparaiso 7.3 mi 8.4
Cooks Corners Elementary School Valparaiso 7.5 mi 5.6
Rowena Kyle Elementary School Portage 6.0 mi 5.1
Valparaiso High School Valparaiso 8.0 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46304 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$88,551

Median Home Value

$278,300

Median Rent

$1,169/mo

Population

27,402

College Educated

35.1%

Homeownership

76.3%

Avg Commute

26.1 min

Poverty Rate

9.3%

Median Age

39.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Chesterton Middle School has a median household income of $88,551. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $278,300, with a median rent of $1,169/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
North Wood Middle School Wakarusa, IN 8.9
Northview Middle School Indianapolis, IN 8.6
Avon Middle School South Avon, IN 8.3
Noblesville East Middle School Noblesville, IN 8.3
LaPorte Middle School Laporte, IN 8.2
West Lafayette Intermediate School West Lafayette, IN 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Chesterton Middle School

What grades does Chesterton Middle School serve?

Chesterton Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Chesterton Middle School?

Chesterton Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 870 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Chesterton Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Chesterton Middle School is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Chesterton Middle School rank in IN?

Chesterton Middle School is ranked #36 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Chesterton Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Chesterton Middle School has a composite rating of 9.0 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 Chesterton Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chesterton Middle School has 57.3% math proficiency and 61.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Chesterton Middle School a charter school?

No, Chesterton Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Chesterton Middle School a Title I school?

No, Chesterton Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Chesterton Middle School?

29.1% of students at Chesterton Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
72 Very Walkable
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (64/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
870
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
57
Free/Reduced Lunch
29.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Porter County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Duneland School Corporation
District Enrollment
5,786
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,779
District Rank
#4 of 10

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 methodology

Related reading

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