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Average

#1371 of 1,823 schools in IN

Jonas E Salk Elementary School

Elementary School · Merrillville Community School Corp

3001 W 77th Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410

Enrollment

593

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

5.1

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#1,371 of 1,823

In Merrillville

#4 of 9

public schools

In district

#3 of 8

Merrillville Community School Corp

Equity

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Jonas E Salk Elementary School

5.1/10

Elementary School in Merrillville · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Montessori Academy of Nwi

Nearby

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

Aquinas Catholic Community School

6.5/10

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

About Jonas E Salk Elementary School

Jonas E Salk Elementary School is a public elementary school in Merrillville, IN, part of Merrillville Community School Corp. Jonas E Salk Elementary School serves approximately 593 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Jonas E Salk Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,371 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for Jonas E Salk Elementary School show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • District avg 5.1
  • IN avg 6.6

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.14 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.8% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.3% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg-4.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.1 pts
Overall Proficiency45% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected+9.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,733
Chronic Absenteeism18.9%

Jonas E Salk Elementary School — Students at Jonas E Salk Elementary School score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

59.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 64.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
47.6% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 67.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.7% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 35 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
84%
ELA
91%
2010
Math
84%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
94%
ELA
96%
2012
Math
95%
ELA
97%
2013
Math
95%
ELA
97%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
84%
2015
Math
73%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
76%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
69%
2018
Math
56%
ELA
51%
2019
Math
56%
ELA
51%
2020*
Math
33%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
33%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
44%
2025
Math
46.8%
ELA
42.3%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Jonas E Salk Elementary School Compares

See how Jonas E Salk Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.1/10
25th percentile in IN
Academic
7.8/10
Very Good
Growth
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
60%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.9%

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

3001 W 77th Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Jonas E Salk Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. FOREST RIDGE ACADEMY (rated 8.3/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Schererville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Timothy Ball Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Crown Point), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Peifer Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Schererville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Merrillville, see our Merrillville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.4 mi
School Distance Rating
MONTESSORI ACADEMY OF NWI Merrillville 0.6 mi
AQUINAS CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SCHOOL Merrillville 1.4 mi 6.5
Homer Iddings Elementary School Merrillville 1.5 mi 4.4
FOREST RIDGE ACADEMY Schererville 1.7 mi 8.3
Edgar L Miller Elementary School Merrillville 2.3 mi 4.8
Merrillville Intermediate School Merrillville 2.4 mi 6.0
Eagle Park Community School Crown Point 2.6 mi 5.4
HAPPY DAYS LEARNING CENTER Merrillville 2.1 mi
HAPPY DAYS CHILD CARE CENTER Merrillville 2.4 mi
Pierce Middle School Merrillville 2.2 mi 4.5
Henry P Fieler Elementary School Merrillville 2.5 mi 4.7
Higher Institute of Arts & Tech Merrillville 2.7 mi 6.5
Merrillville High School Merrillville 2.5 mi 4.4
Timothy Ball Elementary School Crown Point 3.4 mi 8.2
ANDREAN HIGH SCHOOL Merrillville 3.0 mi 7.7
ASCENSION LUTHERAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gary 3.8 mi 6.8
Glen Park Acad for Excel in Lrn Gary 3.8 mi 1.7
Colonel John Wheeler Middle School Crown Point 4.2 mi 6.2
Peifer Elementary School Schererville 3.3 mi 7.8
ST MARY CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SCHOOL Crown Point 4.4 mi 7.2

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
Aurora Elementary School Aurora, IN 5.1
Blue Ridge Primary Elementary Sch Frankfort, IN 5.1
Brentwood Elementary School Fort Wayne, IN 5.1
Caze Elementary School Evansville, IN 5.1
Crooked Creek Elementary School Indianapolis, IN 5.1
Hornet Park Elementary School Beech Grove, IN 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jonas E Salk Elementary School

What grades does Jonas E Salk Elementary School serve?

Jonas E Salk Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Jonas E Salk Elementary School?

Jonas E Salk Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 593 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Jonas E Salk Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Jonas E Salk Elementary School is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Jonas E Salk Elementary School rank in IN?

Jonas E Salk Elementary School ranks #1,371 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Jonas E Salk Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Jonas E Salk Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Jonas E Salk Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Jonas E Salk Elementary School has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Jonas E Salk Elementary School a charter school?

No, Jonas E Salk Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Jonas E Salk Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Jonas E Salk Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jonas E Salk Elementary School?

59.5% of students at Jonas E Salk 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
34 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
593
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
59.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Lake County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.9%

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