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Average

#1428 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

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Gary

#14 of 21

public schools

Indiana middle schools

#256 of 330

In district

#5 of 10

Gary Community School Corp

Academic growth

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Gary Middle School

Gary Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Gary, Indiana. It serves students from sixth through eighth grade with an enrollment of 324 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.6:1. The school has 15 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse student body.

Academically, Gary Middle School ranks #1694 out of 1831 schools in Indiana, placing it in the 8th percentile based on MySchoolScout’s rating system. Students show proficiency rates of 8% in ELA/Reading, 2% in Math, and 0% in Science across all grades. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, the school is committed to focusing on student development and growth.

The school's setting places it within a large suburban area where students can access community resources and participate in various after-school activities. Despite its challenges, Gary Middle School remains an important part of the educational landscape in Gary, offering opportunities for learning and personal development.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Gary Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

The student-teacher ratio at Gary Middle School is 21.6:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.19 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics2.0Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12.6%
Math vs. State Avg-37.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28 pts
Overall Proficiency8%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-17.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,820

Gary Middle School — Students at Gary Middle School score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

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%
School
State
38.2%
ELA Proficiency 12.7%
School
State
40.5%

Based on 15 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
5%
ELA
13%
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: 8.0/10.

How Gary Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
22th percentile in IN
Academic
2.0/10
2.0/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

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. River Forest Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Hobart), with a very similar rating. Another option is Willowcreek Middle School (rated 4.6/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Portage), with a comparable rating. Additionally, William Fegely Middle School (rated 4.1/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Portage), with a comparable rating. 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 5.8
Banneker Elementary at Marquette Gary 0.9 mi 5.4
Virgil I Bailey Elementary School Lake Station 2.1 mi 4.2
Thomas A Edison Jr-Sr HS Lake Station 2.2 mi 3.5
Alexander Hamilton Elementary Sch Lake Station 3.2 mi 3.9
John I Meister Elementary School Hobart 3.5 mi 2.7
William Fegely Middle School Portage 3.6 mi 4.1
River Forest High School Hobart 3.9 mi 6.1
River Forest Middle School Hobart 4.0 mi 5.0
George L Myers Elementary School Portage 3.9 mi 4.1
Wallace Aylesworth Elementary Portage 3.8 mi 4.2
Neighbors' New Vistas High School Portage 4.5 mi 7.4
Central Elementary School Portage 4.0 mi 3.7
Mary M Bethune Early Child Dev Ctr Gary 3.8 mi 2.6
Willowcreek Middle School Portage 3.9 mi 4.6
Crisman Elementary School Portage 3.7 mi 5.8
Liberty Elementary School Hobart 4.9 mi 7.4
Early Learning Center-George Earle Hobart 4.8 mi 4.4
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gary Middle School has a median household income of $44,114. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $154,800, with a median rent of $939/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Barker Middle School Michigan City, IN 5.0
Centerville-Abington Jr High Sch Centerville, IN 5.0
Lewis Cass Junior High School Walton, IN 5.0
Monrovia Middle School Monrovia, IN 5.0
River Forest Middle School Hobart, IN 5.0
Union County Middle School Liberty, IN 5.0

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 is ranked #1428 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Gary Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gary Middle School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gary Middle School has 2.6% math proficiency and 12.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

County Safety
Low (45/100K)

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

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
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

Related reading

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