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Very Good

#385 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 21% in state

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

7.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Gary

#1 of 21

public schools

Indiana schools

#5 of 58

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Gary Lighthouse Charter School

Gary Lighthouse Charter School serves 1,066 students from kindergarten through 12th grade at 725 Clark Road in Gary, Indiana. This charter school operates with 92 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.6:1 that allows for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school faces significant academic challenges, with room for considerable growth in student achievement.

Math proficiency stands at 4% across grade levels, and the school ranks in the 14th percentile statewide at #1569 out of 1,831 Indiana schools. These results reflect the broader educational and economic challenges facing the community. Gary Lighthouse Charter School serves a community where families navigate substantial economic pressures, with a median household income of $34,550 and a 35% poverty rate in the surrounding 46406 zip code area.

Only 10% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, highlighting the importance of educational opportunities for students and families in the area. Despite the academic challenges, the school's smaller class sizes provide opportunities for teachers to work closely with students who may need additional support. The school is situated in Gary's large suburban setting within Lake County, serving as an educational anchor for families in this working-class community.

What Parents Should Know

Gary Lighthouse Charter School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.2Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.6Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency18.1%
Math vs. State Avg-43 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.1 pts
Overall Proficiency13%
Expected (poverty-adj.)10%
vs. Expected+3.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
College Readiness9.7Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation42.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,966

Gary Lighthouse Charter School — Students at Gary Lighthouse Charter School score 13% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 10%).

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 8.7%
School
State
42.1%
ELA Proficiency 17.9%
School
State
40.6%

Based on 22 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
20%
ELA
22%
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: 6.2/10.

How Gary Lighthouse Charter School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
79th percentile in IN
Academic
4.6/10
4.6/10
Growth
6.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
92 teachers

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 7.3/10, 2.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Steel City Academy (rated 5.8/10, 3.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Thea Bowman Leadership Academy (rated 5.4/10, 0.5 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 5.4
Aspire Charter Academy Gary 0.6 mi 6.9
West Side Leadership Academy Gary 0.9 mi 5.2
Frankie Woods McCullough Academy Gary 1.3 mi 4.2
Beveridge Elementary School Gary 1.6 mi 5.7
Steel City Academy Gary 3.1 mi 5.8
Excel Center - Gary Gary 3.3 mi 5.3
Morton Senior High School Hammond 2.6 mi 6.7
Charles N Scott Middle School Hammond 2.7 mi 3.3
REPAIRER OF THE BREACH MINISTRIES (D211) Gary 3.5 mi
Calumet New Tech High School Gary 3.6 mi 5.3
21st Century Charter Sch of Gary Gary 2.8 mi 7.3
Joseph Hess Elementary School Hammond 3.0 mi 2.7
Excel Center - Hammond Hammond 2.8 mi 4.6
Lake Ridge New Tech Middle School Gary 3.8 mi 4.4
Warren G Harding Elementary School Hammond 3.0 mi 4.9
Gary Middle College Gary 3.0 mi 6.1
Joseph Block Middle School East Chicago 3.5 mi 6.2
George Washington Elementary Sch East Chicago 3.7 mi 5.8
Longfellow New Tech Elementary Sch Gary 4.4 mi 3.7

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gary Lighthouse Charter School has a median household income of $35,631. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $86,300, with a median rent of $972/month. The area has a poverty rate of 34.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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
21st Century Charter Sch of Gary Gary, IN 7.3
EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newburgh, IN 6.8
FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lafayette, IN 6.8
CANTERBURY SCHOOL Fort Wayne, IN 8.6
Victory College Prep Indianapolis, IN 8.8

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 is ranked #385 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Gary Lighthouse Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gary Lighthouse Charter School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Gary Lighthouse Charter School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gary Lighthouse Charter School has 8.7% math proficiency and 17.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
42 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (45/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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