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#1359 of 1,823 schools in IN

Gary Middle School

Middle School · Gary Community School Corp

301 Parke St, Gary, IN 46403

Enrollment

324

Student-Teacher

21.6:1

Score

5.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#1,359 of 1,823

In Gary

#7 of 21

public schools

In district

#2 of 10

Gary Community School Corp

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Gary Middle School

5.1/10

Middle School in Gary · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Charter School of the Dunes

4.3/10

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

Banneker Elementary at Marquette

1.9/10

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

About Gary Middle School

Gary Middle School is a public middle school in Gary, IN, part of Gary Community School Corp. Gary Middle School serves approximately 324 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 21.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Gary Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,359 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for Gary Middle School show 3% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025) and 13% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • District avg 5.0
  • IN avg 5.5

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Gary Middle School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Gary Middle School runs 21.6:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

99% of students at Gary Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.8Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change-0.2 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendStable
Academics2.0Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency12.6% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg-37.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28 pts
Overall Proficiency8% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected-18.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
Resources & Environment1.8Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,740
Chronic Absenteeism99.1%

Gary Middle School — Students at Gary Middle School score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

75%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 2.6% (multi-year average, 2018-2025)
School
State
38.2% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 12.6% (multi-year average, 2018-2025)
School
State
40.5% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 19 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2018
Math
5%
ELA
13%
2019
Math
5%
ELA
13%
2020*
Math
0.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
0.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
3%
2025
Math
2.4%
ELA
12.7%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Gary Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
26th percentile in IN
Academic
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
9.8/10
Excellent
Environment
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
99.1%

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

301 Parke St, Gary, IN 46403

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gary Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. William Fegely Middle School (rated 4.0/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Portage), a more accessible option. Another option is Willowcreek Middle School (rated 3.9/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Portage), a more accessible option. Additionally, River Forest Middle School (rated 3.4/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Hobart), a more accessible option. For more schools in Gary, see our Gary schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Charter School of the Dunes Gary 0.9 mi 4.3
Banneker Elementary at Marquette Gary 0.9 mi 1.9
Virgil I Bailey Elementary School Lake Station 2.1 mi 3.4
Thomas A Edison Jr-Sr HS Lake Station 2.2 mi 3.4
Alexander Hamilton Elementary Sch Lake Station 3.2 mi 4.1
John I Meister Elementary School Hobart 3.5 mi 2.6
William Fegely Middle School Portage 3.6 mi 4.0
River Forest High School Hobart 3.9 mi 3.9
River Forest Middle School Hobart 4.0 mi 3.4
George L Myers Elementary School Portage 3.9 mi 4.3
Wallace Aylesworth Elementary Portage 3.8 mi 3.3
Neighbors' New Vistas High School Portage 4.5 mi 6.5
Central Elementary School Portage 4.0 mi 3.3
Mary M Bethune Early Child Dev Ctr Gary 3.8 mi 2.9
Willowcreek Middle School Portage 3.9 mi 3.9
Crisman Elementary School Portage 3.7 mi 3.8
Liberty Elementary School Hobart 4.9 mi 5.5
Early Learning Center-George Earle Hobart 4.8 mi 6.9
Veterans Elementary School at Mundell Hobart 5.1 mi 5.8
NATIVITY OF OUR SAVIOR/DIOCESE Portage 4.4 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46403 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$44,114

Median Home Value

$154,800

Median Rent

$939/mo

Population

10,697

College Educated

24.7%

Homeownership

47.4%

Avg Commute

31.1 min

Poverty Rate

26.3%

Median Age

41.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Franklin County Middle School Brookville, IN 5.1
Switzerland Co Middle School Vevay, IN 5.1
Wabash Middle School Wabash, IN 5.1
Bailly Middle School Gary, IN 5.0
Virtual Preparatory Academy of Indiana at Madison-Grant 6-8 Fairmount, IN 5.0
Brown County Middle School Nashville, IN 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gary Middle School

What grades does Gary Middle School serve?

Gary Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Gary Middle School?

Gary Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 324 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Gary Middle School is 21.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gary Middle School rank in IN?

Gary Middle School ranks #1,359 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Gary Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gary Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Gary Middle School has 3% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025) and 13% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).

Is Gary Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Gary Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

75.0% of students at Gary 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
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
324
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
75.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Lake County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
99.1%

District

Gary Community School Corp
District Enrollment
4,025
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,740
District Rank
#2 of 10

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