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Average

#1189 of 1,823 schools in IN

Gary Lighthouse Charter School

School · Gary Lighthouse Charter School

725 Clark Road, Gary, IN 46406

Charter

Enrollment

1,066

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

5.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#1,189 of 1,823

In Gary

#5 of 21

public schools

School environment

8.0 / 10

Excellent

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Gary Lighthouse Charter School

5.6/10

School in Gary · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Thea Bowman Leadership Academy

4.7/10

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

Aspire Charter Academy

6.7/10

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

About Gary Lighthouse Charter School

Gary Lighthouse Charter School is a public school in Gary, IN, part of Gary Lighthouse Charter School. Gary Lighthouse Charter School serves approximately 1,066 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Gary Lighthouse Charter School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,189 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for Gary Lighthouse Charter School show 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts below IN schools
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • IN avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Gary Lighthouse Charter School 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.

48% of students at Gary Lighthouse Charter School 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.76 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8.5% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency18.1% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg-43 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.1 pts
Overall Proficiency13% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)11% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected+2.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
College Readiness5.7Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate67%
AP Participation42.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,319
Chronic Absenteeism48.1%

Gary Lighthouse Charter School — Students at Gary Lighthouse Charter School score 13% 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 23.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
42.1% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 31.3% (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
68%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
58%
ELA
53%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
61%
2012
Math
50%
ELA
54%
2013
Math
51%
ELA
59%
2014
Math
34%
ELA
38%
2015
Math
24%
ELA
39%
2016
Math
26%
ELA
36%
2017
Math
25%
ELA
33%
2018
Math
20%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
20%
ELA
22%
2020*
Math
3%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
4%
2025
Math
8.5%
ELA
18.2%

* 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: 4.6/10.

How Gary Lighthouse Charter School Compares

See how Gary Lighthouse Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
35th percentile in IN
Academic
4.5/10
Below Average
Growth
4.6/10
Below Average
Environment
8.0/10
Excellent
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.6
Sports
6
4 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
92 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
42.7% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics6sports offered
4 boys'·2 girls'·6 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

725 Clark Road, Gary, IN 46406

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gary Lighthouse Charter School may also want to explore other schools in the area. 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary (rated 6.0/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Steel City Academy (rated 5.2/10, 3.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Thea Bowman Leadership Academy (rated 4.7/10, 0.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Gary, see our Gary schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Thea Bowman Leadership Academy Gary 0.5 mi 4.7
Aspire Charter Academy Gary 0.6 mi 6.7
West Side Leadership Academy Gary 0.9 mi 5.9
Frankie Woods McCullough Academy Gary 1.3 mi 1.8
Beveridge Elementary School Gary 1.6 mi 3.0
Steel City Academy Gary 3.1 mi 5.2
Excel Center - Gary Gary 3.3 mi 2.6
Morton Senior High School Hammond 2.6 mi 4.3
Charles N Scott Middle School Hammond 2.7 mi 4.0
REPAIRER OF THE BREACH MINISTRIES (D211) Gary 3.5 mi
Calumet New Tech High School Gary 3.6 mi 5.8
21st Century Charter Sch of Gary Gary 2.8 mi 6.0
Joseph Hess Elementary School Hammond 3.0 mi 3.1
Excel Center - Hammond Hammond 2.8 mi 2.4
Lake Ridge New Tech Middle School Gary 3.8 mi 4.8
Warren G Harding Elementary School Hammond 3.0 mi 5.2
Gary Middle College Gary 3.0 mi 3.0
Joseph Block Middle School East Chicago 3.5 mi 6.5
George Washington Elementary Sch East Chicago 3.7 mi 2.6
Longfellow New Tech Elementary Sch Gary 4.4 mi 3.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46406 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$35,631

Median Home Value

$86,300

Median Rent

$972/mo

Population

8,513

College Educated

8.6%

Homeownership

46.9%

Avg Commute

25.8 min

Poverty Rate

34.8%

Median Age

32.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Wayne, IN 5.5
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Indianapolis, IN 5.7
Anderson Preparatory Academy Anderson, IN 5.2
21st Century Charter Sch of Gary Gary, IN 6.0
Benjamin Bosse High School Evansville, IN 5.0
Thea Bowman Leadership Academy Gary, IN 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gary Lighthouse Charter School

What grades does Gary Lighthouse Charter School serve?

Gary Lighthouse Charter School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Gary Lighthouse Charter School?

Gary Lighthouse Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 1,066 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gary Lighthouse Charter School?

The student-teacher ratio at Gary Lighthouse Charter School is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gary Lighthouse Charter School rank in IN?

Gary Lighthouse Charter School ranks #1,189 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Gary Lighthouse Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gary Lighthouse Charter School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 Gary Lighthouse Charter School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Gary Lighthouse Charter School has 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Gary Lighthouse Charter School a charter school?

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

Is Gary Lighthouse Charter School a Title I school?

No, Gary Lighthouse Charter School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gary Lighthouse Charter School?

100.0% of students at Gary Lighthouse Charter 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
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
1,066
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
92
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Lake County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.1%
4-Year Graduation
67.0%

District

Gary Lighthouse Charter School
District Enrollment
1,066
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,319
District Rank
#1 of 1

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