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Average

#861 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 47% in state

Higher Institute of Arts & Tech

Elementary School · Higher Institute of Arts & Tech

5861 Harrison Street, Merrillville, IN 46410

Charter

Enrollment

227

Student-Teacher

17.5:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#861 of 1,823

In Merrillville

#1 of 9

public schools

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Higher Institute of Arts & Tech

6.5/10

Elementary School in Merrillville · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Happy Days Child Care Center

Nearby

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

Henry P Fieler Elementary School

4.7/10

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

About Higher Institute of Arts & Tech

Higher Institute of Arts & Tech is a public elementary school in Merrillville, IN, part of Higher Institute of Arts & Tech. Higher Institute of Arts & Tech serves approximately 227 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 17.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Higher Institute of Arts & Tech has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #861 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for Higher Institute of Arts & Tech show 9% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025).

How it comparesOn par with IN schools
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • IN avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Higher Institute of Arts & Tech 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.

Higher Institute of Arts & Tech 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.

40% of students at Higher Institute of Arts & Tech 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 Progress9.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data8
Annual Change-1.05 pts/yr
Data Period2016–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9.4% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency14.4% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg-42.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25.8 pts
Overall Proficiency12% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)24% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected-11.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,341
Chronic Absenteeism39.6%

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: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 9.1% (multi-year average, 2016-2025)
School
State
42.1% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 18.7% (multi-year average, 2016-2025)
School
State
40.6% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 30 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2016
Math
5%
ELA
44.5%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
22%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
2.5%
2025
Math
9.7%
ELA
15.4%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Higher Institute of Arts & Tech Compares

See how Higher Institute of Arts & Tech performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
53th percentile in IN
Academic
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
9.7/10
Excellent
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
39.6%

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. ASCENSION LUTHERAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Gary), with a very similar rating. Another option is AQUINAS CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Jonas E Salk Elementary School (rated 5.1/10, 2.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Merrillville, see our Merrillville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.4 mi
School Distance Rating
HAPPY DAYS CHILD CARE CENTER Merrillville 0.4 mi
Henry P Fieler Elementary School Merrillville 0.4 mi 4.7
Merrillville Intermediate School Merrillville 0.4 mi 6.0
ANDREAN HIGH SCHOOL Merrillville 0.7 mi 7.7
Glen Park Acad for Excel in Lrn Gary 1.1 mi 1.7
ASCENSION LUTHERAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gary 1.3 mi 6.8
Merrillville High School Merrillville 1.5 mi 4.4
HAPPY DAYS LEARNING CENTER Merrillville 1.6 mi
Homer Iddings Elementary School Merrillville 1.7 mi 4.4
MY SAFARI PREPARATORY ACADEMY GEORGIA ST. CAMPUS Gary 1.5 mi
Pierce Middle School Merrillville 1.7 mi 4.5
AQUINAS CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SCHOOL Merrillville 1.9 mi 6.5
Edgar L Miller Elementary School Merrillville 1.6 mi 4.8
Bailly Middle School Gary 2.0 mi 5.0
MY SAFARI PREPARATORY ACADEMY Gary 2.5 mi
Jonas E Salk Elementary School Merrillville 2.7 mi 5.1
REPAIRER OF THE BREACH MINISTRIES (D211) Gary 3.0 mi
Lake Ridge New Tech Middle School Gary 2.9 mi 4.8
Steel City Academy Gary 3.4 mi 5.2
Gary Career Center Gary 3.4 mi

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
AQUINAS CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SCHOOL Merrillville, IN 6.5
FLAGET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL/DIOCESE Vincennes, IN 6.5
Milford Elementary School Milford, IN 6.5
ST JOSEPH HESSEN CASSEL Fort Wayne, IN 6.5
Turkey Run Elementary School Marshall, IN 6.5
Bethel Park Elementary | pilotED Schools Indianapolis, IN 6.4

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 ranks #861 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Higher Institute of Arts & Tech's MySchoolScout rating?

Higher Institute of Arts & Tech has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Higher Institute of Arts & Tech?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Higher Institute of Arts & Tech has 9% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
47 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
39.6%

District

Higher Institute of Arts & Tech
District Enrollment
227
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,341
District Rank
#1 of 1

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