Average
#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
Enrollment
292
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
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
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John Wood Elementary School — Students at John Wood Elementary School score 41% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 13 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: 2.8/10.
How John Wood Elementary School Compares
See how John Wood Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 45.74% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 36.17% (2025).
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.
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
- Phone
- (219) 650-5305
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Merrillville Community School Corp- District Enrollment
- 5,867
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,733
- District Rank
- #4 of 8
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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