Average
#1338 of 1,823 schools in IN
Higher Institute of Arts & Tech
Elementary School · Higher Institute of Arts & Tech
5861 Harrison Street, Merrillville, IN 46410
Enrollment
227
Student-Teacher
17.5:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
227
Student-Teacher
17.5:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Merrillville
#4 of 9
public schools
Indiana elementary schools
#785 of 1,047
Academic growth
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Higher Institute of Arts & Tech
Higher Institute of Arts & Tech is a charter elementary school located in Merrillville, Indiana. The school serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 227 students with a student-teacher ratio of 17.5:1. Higher Institute of Arts & Tech focuses on providing a well-rounded education with a particular emphasis on arts and technology.
The academic performance at the school, as measured by MySchoolScout, currently sits at a rating of 3.8 out of 10, ranking it in the 8th percentile among Indiana schools. In terms of proficiency rates, only 11% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading and just 7% are proficient or above in math, with no students meeting proficiency standards in science. Despite these challenges, Higher Institute of Arts & Tech is committed to fostering a nurturing environment that encourages creativity and innovation.
The school's setting within the larger suburban area of Merrillville offers a range of community resources and opportunities for its students. Higher Institute of Arts & Tech is situated in an area with room for academic growth and focuses on student development beyond traditional test scores, emphasizing arts and technology as key components of their curriculum.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Higher Institute of Arts & Tech 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.
Higher Institute of Arts & Tech 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Higher Institute of Arts & Tech — Students at Higher Institute of Arts & Tech score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 22 test records from IN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.0/10.
How Higher Institute of Arts & Tech Compares
See how Higher Institute of Arts & Tech performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 9.38% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 14.37% (2025).
Location
5861 Harrison Street, Merrillville, IN 46410
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Higher Institute of Arts & Tech may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Henry P Fieler Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ASCENSION LUTHERAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Gary), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jonas E Salk Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Merrillville, see our Merrillville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46410 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,735
Median Home Value
$192,100
Median Rent
$1,267/mo
Population
38,803
College Educated
24.4%
Homeownership
63.6%
Avg Commute
32 min
Poverty Rate
14.4%
Median Age
40.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Higher Institute of Arts & Tech has a median household income of $61,735. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $192,100, with a median rent of $1,267/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.4%. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Avondale Meadows Academy Indianapolis, IN | 5.3 |
| Lynnville Elementary School Lynnville, IN | 5.3 |
| Redkey Elementary School Redkey, IN | 5.3 |
| Riley Elementary School Laporte, IN | 5.3 |
| Weston Elementary School Greenfield, IN | 5.3 |
| Central Noble Elementary School Albion, IN | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Higher Institute of Arts & Tech
What grades does Higher Institute of Arts & Tech serve?
Higher Institute of Arts & Tech serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Higher Institute of Arts & Tech?
Higher Institute of Arts & Tech has an enrollment of approximately 227 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Higher Institute of Arts & Tech?
The student-teacher ratio at Higher Institute of Arts & Tech is 17.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Higher Institute of Arts & Tech rank in IN?
Higher Institute of Arts & Tech is ranked #1338 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Higher Institute of Arts & Tech's MySchoolScout rating?
Higher Institute of Arts & Tech has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Higher Institute of Arts & Tech?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Higher Institute of Arts & Tech has 9.5% math proficiency and 15.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Higher Institute of Arts & Tech a charter school?
Yes, Higher Institute of Arts & Tech is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Higher Institute of Arts & Tech a Title I school?
No, Higher Institute of Arts & Tech is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Higher Institute of Arts & Tech?
78.4% of students at Higher Institute of Arts & Tech qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 227
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lake County
- Phone
- (219) 359-1522
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Higher Institute of Arts & Tech- District Enrollment
- 227
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,341
- 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 methodologyRelated 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.