Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#1622 of 1,823 schools in IN

East Chicago Lighthouse

Elementary School · East Chicago Lighthouse Charter

3916 Pulaski, East Chicago, IN 46312

Charter

Enrollment

462

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

3.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#1,622 of 1,823

In East Chicago

#4 of 9

public schools

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around East Chicago Lighthouse?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

East Chicago Lighthouse

3.9/10

Elementary School in East Chicago · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

George Washington Elementary Sch

2.6/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Abraham Lincoln Elementary School

3.2/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About East Chicago Lighthouse

East Chicago Lighthouse is a public elementary school in East Chicago, IN, part of East Chicago Lighthouse Charter. East Chicago Lighthouse serves approximately 462 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio. East Chicago Lighthouse has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,622 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for East Chicago Lighthouse show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.7 pts below IN schools
  • This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
  • IN avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

East Chicago Lighthouse 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.

45% of students at East Chicago Lighthouse 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 metrics
Student Progress3.0Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.28 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.9% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency13.7% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg-40.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26.5 pts
Overall Proficiency12% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)11% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected+1.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,575
Chronic Absenteeism44.6%

East Chicago Lighthouse — Students at East Chicago Lighthouse score 12% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 11%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 28.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
42.1% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 32.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.6% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 44 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
65%
ELA
60%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
63%
2013
Math
68%
ELA
65%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
50%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
48%
2016
Math
26%
ELA
36%
2017
Math
28%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
23%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
23%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
6%
ELA
7%
2021*
Math
6%
ELA
7%
2022
Math
6%
2025
Math
11.1%
ELA
14.2%

* 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: 3.0/10.

How East Chicago Lighthouse Compares

See how East Chicago Lighthouse performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.9/10
11th percentile in IN
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.4/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
44.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

3916 Pulaski, East Chicago, IN 46312

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering East Chicago Lighthouse may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST STANISLAUS SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Nathan Hale Elementary School (rated 6.2/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Whiting), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Warren G Harding Elementary School (rated 5.2/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Hammond), which scores notably higher. For more schools in East Chicago, see our East Chicago schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.7 mi
School Distance Rating
George Washington Elementary Sch East Chicago 0.4 mi 2.6
Abraham Lincoln Elementary School East Chicago 0.6 mi 3.2
Joseph Block Middle School East Chicago 0.6 mi 6.5
East Chicago Urban Enterprise Academy East Chicago 1.0 mi 4.1
Carrie Gosch PK Center East Chicago 1.9 mi 2.6
Benjamin Harrison Elementary Sch East Chicago 2.0 mi 3.5
William McKinley Elementary School East Chicago 2.2 mi 3.0
East Chicago Central High School East Chicago 2.1 mi 6.5
ST STANISLAUS SCHOOL East Chicago 2.3 mi 7.2
Warren G Harding Elementary School Hammond 3.2 mi 5.2
BISHOP NOLL INSTITUTE/CATHOLIC DIOECE OF GARY Hammond 2.6 mi 7.2
Excel Center - Hammond Hammond 3.8 mi 2.4
Morton Senior High School Hammond 3.8 mi 4.3
Morton Elementary School Hammond 4.0 mi 2.5
West Side Leadership Academy Gary 3.8 mi 5.9
Charles N Scott Middle School Hammond 4.2 mi 4.0
Nathan Hale Elementary School Whiting 3.7 mi 6.2
Whiting Middle School Whiting 3.7 mi 4.8
Washington Irving Elementary Sch Hammond 3.3 mi 2.3
Whiting High School Whiting 3.7 mi 5.8

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Adams Elementary School Fort Wayne, IN 3.9
East Side Elementary School Edinburgh, IN 3.9
Harrison Elementary School South Bend, IN 3.9
Mary Beck Elementary School Elkhart, IN 3.9
New Augusta Public Academy - South Indianapolis, IN 3.9
Tecumseh-Harrison Elementary Sch Vincennes, IN 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about East Chicago Lighthouse

What grades does East Chicago Lighthouse serve?

East Chicago Lighthouse serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend East Chicago Lighthouse?

East Chicago Lighthouse has an enrollment of approximately 462 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at East Chicago Lighthouse?

The student-teacher ratio at East Chicago Lighthouse is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does East Chicago Lighthouse rank in IN?

East Chicago Lighthouse ranks #1,622 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is East Chicago Lighthouse's MySchoolScout rating?

East Chicago Lighthouse has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 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 East Chicago Lighthouse?

Based on loaded state assessment records, East Chicago Lighthouse has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is East Chicago Lighthouse a charter school?

Yes, East Chicago Lighthouse is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is East Chicago Lighthouse a Title I school?

No, East Chicago Lighthouse is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for East Chicago Lighthouse?

100.0% of students at East Chicago Lighthouse 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
80 Very Walkable
Bike Score
53 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
462
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Lake County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
44.6%

District

East Chicago Lighthouse Charter
District Enrollment
462
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,575
District Rank
#1 of 1

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.