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#1442 of 1,823 schools in IN

John Wood Elementary School

Elementary School · Merrillville Community School Corp

6100 E 73rd Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410

Enrollment

292

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

5.1

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Merrillville

#5 of 9

public schools

Indiana elementary schools

#831 of 1,047

In district

#4 of 8

Merrillville Community School Corp

Equity

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About John Wood Elementary School

John Wood Elementary School serves 292 students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in Merrillville, Indiana. With 20 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 14.6-to-1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #364 out of 1,831 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 80th percentile.

With an academic score of 7.8 out of 10, John Wood Elementary shows particular strength in mathematics, where 52% of students perform at proficient levels or above across all tested grades. The school draws from a diverse community in the 46410 zip code, where the median household income is $60,432 and median home values reach $176,000. About 23% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 15.2% of families live below the poverty line, reflecting a mix of socioeconomic backgrounds among the student population.

John Wood Elementary offers families in Lake County a well-performing elementary education option with strong academic results and reasonable class sizes. The school is situated in a rural setting near town, providing students with a quieter learning environment while maintaining access to community resources and amenities.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, John Wood Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-2.94 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.6Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency36.2%
Math vs. State Avg-5.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4 pts
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected+11.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,764

John Wood Elementary School — Students at John Wood Elementary School score 41% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 50.0%
School
State
47.6%
ELA Proficiency 37.7%
School
State
40.7%

Based on 13 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
72%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
52%
2025
Math
46.3%
ELA
36.5%

* 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: 2.8/10.

How John Wood Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
21th percentile in IN
Academic
7.6/10
7.6/10
Growth
2.8/10
Below average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

6100 E 73rd Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering John Wood Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. INDIANA HORIZON ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Crown Point), which scores notably higher. Another option is Liberty Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Hobart), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Union Center Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Valparaiso), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Merrillville, see our Merrillville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Joan Martin Elementary School Hobart 2.6 mi 5.2
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hobart 2.9 mi 7.0
Hobart Middle School Hobart 2.9 mi 5.8
Hobart High School Hobart 2.9 mi 4.4
Veterans Elementary School at Mundell Hobart 3.7 mi 5.8
AVICENNA ACADEMY Crown Point 3.5 mi 7.1
INDIANA HORIZON ACADEMY Crown Point 3.5 mi 7.8
Liberty Elementary School Hobart 3.9 mi 7.4
NORTHWEST ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Crown Point 4.1 mi
Early Learning Center-George Earle Hobart 4.3 mi 4.4
Merrillville High School Merrillville 3.6 mi 5.9
Pierce Middle School Merrillville 3.7 mi 4.7
HAPPY DAYS LEARNING CENTER Merrillville 3.8 mi
John I Meister Elementary School Hobart 5.2 mi 2.7
River Forest Middle School Hobart 5.2 mi 5.0
ANDREAN HIGH SCHOOL Merrillville 4.1 mi 7.7
Jerry Ross Elementary School Crown Point 5.2 mi 6.5
River Forest High School Hobart 5.3 mi 6.1
Union Center Elementary School Valparaiso 4.1 mi 7.3
MY SAFARI PREPARATORY ACADEMY GEORGIA ST. CAMPUS Gary 4.6 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

Community Profile

The community surrounding John Wood Elementary School 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
Central Elementary School Beech Grove, IN 5.1
Geist Montessori Academy Mccordsville, IN 5.1
Harris Elementary School Greenfield, IN 5.1
Poston Road Elementary School Martinsville, IN 5.1
Adams Elementary School Fort Wayne, IN 5.0
Butler Elementary School Butler, IN 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about John Wood Elementary School

What grades does John Wood Elementary School serve?

John Wood Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend John Wood Elementary School?

John Wood Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 292 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at John Wood Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at John Wood Elementary School is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does John Wood Elementary School rank in IN?

John Wood Elementary School is ranked #1442 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is John Wood Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

John Wood Elementary 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 John Wood Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, John Wood Elementary School has 50.0% math proficiency and 37.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is John Wood Elementary School a charter school?

No, John Wood Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is John Wood Elementary School a Title I school?

No, John Wood Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John Wood Elementary School?

67.8% of students at John Wood 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

County Safety
Low (45/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
292
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
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

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