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Average

#860 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 47% in state

East Chicago Central High School

High School · School City of East Chicago

1100 W Columbus Drive, East Chicago, IN 46312

Enrollment

1,021

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

6.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In East Chicago

#5 of 9

public schools

Indiana high schools

#174 of 388

In district

#4 of 7

School City of East Chicago

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About East Chicago Central High School

East Chicago Central High School serves 1,021 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1, supported by 74 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #1645 out of 1831 high schools statewide, placing it in the 10th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10. Academically, the school faces significant challenges with room for growth, particularly in mathematics where 8% of students perform at proficient levels or above across grade levels.

With an academic score of 1.5 out of 10, East Chicago Central is working to better serve its student population and improve educational outcomes. The school is situated in the 46312 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $39,434 and the median home value is $84,900. The surrounding community has a poverty rate of 27%, and approximately 10% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

This demographic context helps explain some of the academic challenges the school faces while highlighting the important role it plays in serving a community with significant economic needs. East Chicago Central High School is located on West Columbus Drive in a large suburban setting within Lake County, Indiana, serving as an important educational anchor for the East Chicago community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.49 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.4Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency56%
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected+6.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
College Readiness3.6Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,910

East Chicago Central High School — Students at East Chicago Central High School score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 16.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 54.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
17%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
23%
ELA
56%
2022
Math
8%

* 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 East Chicago Central High School Compares

See how East Chicago Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
53th percentile in IN
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
74 teachers

Location

1100 W Columbus Drive, East Chicago, IN 46312

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering East Chicago Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BISHOP NOLL INSTITUTE/CATHOLIC DIOECE OF GARY (rated 7.2/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Hammond), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Whiting High School (rated 7.2/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Whiting), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Hammond Central High School (rated 5.4/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Hammond), with a comparable rating. For more schools in East Chicago, see our East Chicago schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Carrie Gosch PK Center East Chicago 0.3 mi 7.2
Benjamin Harrison Elementary Sch East Chicago 0.5 mi 7.5
BISHOP NOLL INSTITUTE/CATHOLIC DIOECE OF GARY Hammond 0.9 mi 7.2
William McKinley Elementary School East Chicago 1.0 mi 6.2
ST STANISLAUS SCHOOL East Chicago 1.1 mi 7.2
Washington Irving Elementary Sch Hammond 1.4 mi 4.0
Abraham Lincoln Elementary School Hammond 1.5 mi 3.2
ST CASIMIR SCHOOL Hammond 1.5 mi 6.5
East Chicago Urban Enterprise Academy East Chicago 1.8 mi 6.8
Nathan Hale Elementary School Whiting 2.8 mi 7.7
East Chicago Lighthouse East Chicago 2.1 mi 5.4
Whiting Middle School Whiting 2.9 mi 6.3
Whiting High School Whiting 2.9 mi 7.2
Hammond Central High School Hammond 2.7 mi 5.4
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Whiting 2.9 mi 8.4
George Washington Elementary Sch East Chicago 2.3 mi 5.8
Hammond Academy of Science & Tech Hammond 2.5 mi 4.8
Abraham Lincoln Elementary School East Chicago 2.4 mi 6.8
Joseph Block Middle School East Chicago 2.4 mi 6.2
Henry W Eggers Middle School Hammond 2.8 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46312 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$41,071

Median Home Value

$92,400

Median Rent

$820/mo

Population

26,158

College Educated

9.9%

Homeownership

44.1%

Avg Commute

21.9 min

Poverty Rate

27%

Median Age

36.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding East Chicago Central High School has a median household income of $41,071. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $92,400, with a median rent of $820/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Jennings County High School North Vernon, IN 6.4
New Palestine High School New Palestine, IN 6.4
Wayne High School Fort Wayne, IN 6.4
Western High School Russiaville, IN 6.4
Westview Jr-Sr High School Topeka, IN 6.4
Beech Grove Sr High School Beech Grove, IN 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about East Chicago Central High School

What grades does East Chicago Central High School serve?

East Chicago Central High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend East Chicago Central High School?

East Chicago Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,021 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at East Chicago Central High School?

The student-teacher ratio at East Chicago Central High School is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does East Chicago Central High School rank in IN?

East Chicago Central High School is ranked #860 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is East Chicago Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

East Chicago Central High School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 East Chicago Central High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, East Chicago Central High School has 16.0% math proficiency and 54.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is East Chicago Central High School a charter school?

No, East Chicago Central High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is East Chicago Central High School a Title I school?

No, East Chicago Central High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for East Chicago Central High School?

74.8% of students at East Chicago Central High 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
49 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
68 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,447/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (East Chicago). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,021
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
74
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Lake County
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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