Needs Improvement
#1815 of 1,823 schools in IN
John I Meister Elementary School
Elementary School · River Forest Community Sch Corp
3300 Jay St, Hobart, IN 46342
Enrollment
364
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
2.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
364
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
2.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hobart
#9 of 9
public schools
Indiana elementary schools
#1,043 of 1,047
In district
#4 of 4
River Forest Community Sch Corp
About John I Meister Elementary School
John I Meister Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Hobart, Indiana. Serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 364 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.8:1, with 23 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's setting places it within a large suburban area, providing a typical Midwestern backdrop for its educational programs.
John I Meister Elementary focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment despite current academic challenges reflected in lower test scores—only 28% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and just 23% in Math, with no proficiency shown in Science. The school is ranked 1732 out of 1831 schools statewide, indicating there's room for growth and development across the curriculum. Located on Jay Street, John I Meister Elementary School sits in a community that values education and provides a nurturing setting for young learners to grow and thrive.
Score Breakdown
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John I Meister Elementary School — Students at John I Meister Elementary School score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 15 test records from IN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.4/10.
How John I Meister Elementary School Compares
See how John I Meister Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 16.15% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 13.54% (2025).
Location
3300 Jay St, Hobart, IN 46342
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering John I Meister Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Liberty Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Veterans Elementary School at Mundell (rated 5.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hobart, see our Hobart schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander Hamilton Elementary Sch Lake Station | 0.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Thomas A Edison Jr-Sr HS Lake Station | 1.4 mi | 3.5 |
| River Forest Middle School Hobart | 1.2 mi | 5.0 |
| River Forest High School Hobart | 1.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Liberty Elementary School Hobart | 1.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Veterans Elementary School at Mundell Hobart | 1.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Early Learning Center-George Earle Hobart | 1.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Hobart Middle School Hobart | 2.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Virgil I Bailey Elementary School Lake Station | 2.0 mi | 4.2 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hobart | 2.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Joan Martin Elementary School Hobart | 2.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Charter School of the Dunes Gary | 2.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Henry S Evans Elementary School Lake Station | 2.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Neighbors' New Vistas High School Portage | 2.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Hobart High School Hobart | 3.0 mi | 4.4 |
| William Fegely Middle School Portage | 2.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Gary Middle School Gary | 3.5 mi | 5.1 |
| George L Myers Elementary School Portage | 2.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Banneker Elementary at Marquette Gary | 3.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Mary M Bethune Early Child Dev Ctr Gary | 3.0 mi | 2.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46342 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,163
Median Home Value
$193,400
Median Rent
$1,110/mo
Population
32,525
College Educated
21.4%
Homeownership
75.1%
Avg Commute
27.8 min
Poverty Rate
14.7%
Median Age
38.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding John I Meister Elementary School has a median household income of $72,163. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $193,400, with a median rent of $1,110/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| North White Elementary School Monon, IN | 2.8 |
| Mary M Bethune Early Child Dev Ctr Gary, IN | 2.6 |
| Mount Healthy Elementary School Columbus, IN | 2.9 |
| Joshua Academy Evansville, IN | 3.0 |
| Deming Early Learning Center Terre Haute, IN | 3.1 |
| Lew Wallace Elementary School Hammond, IN | 2.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about John I Meister Elementary School
What grades does John I Meister Elementary School serve?
John I Meister Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend John I Meister Elementary School?
John I Meister Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 364 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at John I Meister Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at John I Meister Elementary School is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does John I Meister Elementary School rank in IN?
John I Meister Elementary School is ranked #1815 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is John I Meister Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
John I Meister Elementary School has a composite rating of 2.7 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 John I Meister Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, John I Meister Elementary School has 21.5% math proficiency and 22.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is John I Meister Elementary School a charter school?
No, John I Meister Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is John I Meister Elementary School a Title I school?
No, John I Meister Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John I Meister Elementary School?
73.6% of students at John I Meister Elementary 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,430/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hobart). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 364
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 73.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lake County
- Phone
- (219) 962-1103
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
River Forest Community Sch Corp- District Enrollment
- 1,706
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,637
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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
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