Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#1796 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

2.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#1,796 of 1,823

In Hobart

#9 of 9

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

River Forest Community Sch Corp

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around John I Meister Elementary School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

John I Meister Elementary School

2.6/10

Elementary School in Hobart · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Alexander Hamilton Elementary Sch

4.1/10

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

Thomas a Edison Jr-sr HS

3.4/10

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

About John I Meister Elementary School

John I Meister Elementary School is a public elementary school in Hobart, IN, part of River Forest Community Sch Corp. John I Meister Elementary School serves approximately 364 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. John I Meister Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,796 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for John I Meister Elementary School show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 2.6 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.3
  • IN avg 6.6

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-5.01 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.0Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16.1% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency13.5% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg-35.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26.7 pts
Overall Proficiency15% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected-11.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
Resources & Environment3.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,637
Chronic Absenteeism27.2%

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 48.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
46.1% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 54.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 37 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
22%
2025
Math
14.8%
ELA
13.1%

* 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: 1.9/10.

How John I Meister Elementary School Compares

See how John I Meister Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.6/10
2th percentile in IN
Academic
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.2%

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

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. TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Early Learning Center-George Earle (rated 6.9/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Joan Martin Elementary School (rated 6.4/10, 2.6 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 4.1
Thomas A Edison Jr-Sr HS Lake Station 1.4 mi 3.4
River Forest Middle School Hobart 1.2 mi 3.4
River Forest High School Hobart 1.2 mi 3.9
Liberty Elementary School Hobart 1.5 mi 5.5
Veterans Elementary School at Mundell Hobart 1.6 mi 5.8
Early Learning Center-George Earle Hobart 1.5 mi 6.9
Hobart Middle School Hobart 2.2 mi 5.6
Virgil I Bailey Elementary School Lake Station 2.0 mi 3.4
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hobart 2.4 mi 7.0
Joan Martin Elementary School Hobart 2.6 mi 6.4
Charter School of the Dunes Gary 2.7 mi 4.3
Henry S Evans Elementary School Lake Station 2.3 mi 4.0
Neighbors' New Vistas High School Portage 2.4 mi 6.5
Hobart High School Hobart 3.0 mi 5.5
William Fegely Middle School Portage 2.7 mi 4.0
Gary Middle School Gary 3.5 mi 5.1
George L Myers Elementary School Portage 2.8 mi 4.3
Banneker Elementary at Marquette Gary 3.7 mi 1.9
Mary M Bethune Early Child Dev Ctr Gary 3.0 mi 2.9

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Elwood Haynes Elementary School Kokomo, IN 2.6
George Washington Elementary Sch East Chicago, IN 2.6
Wilson Elementary School South Bend, IN 2.7
Beardsley Elementary School Elkhart, IN 2.8
Grissom Elementary School Muncie, IN 2.8
North White Elementary School Monon, IN 2.8

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 ranks #1,796 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is John I Meister Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

John I Meister Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 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 John I Meister Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, John I Meister Elementary School has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.2%

District

River Forest Community Sch Corp
District Enrollment
1,706
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,637
District Rank
#4 of 4

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related 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.