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Average

#804 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 44% in state

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

6.6

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Merrillville

#2 of 9

public schools

Indiana elementary schools

#506 of 1,047

In district

#2 of 8

Merrillville Community School Corp

Academic performance

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Jonas E Salk Elementary School

Jonas E Salk Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Merrillville, Indiana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, the school has an enrollment of 593 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.6:1 with 38 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The setting is in a large suburban area that offers a mix of residential neighborhoods and nearby amenities.

Jonas E Salk Elementary focuses on the foundational years of education, supporting young learners as they embark on their academic journey. With a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranking at #738 among Indiana’s schools, there is room for improvement in several areas. The school's ELA/Reading proficiency stands at 28% and Math proficiency at 33%, indicating that while the academic performance has some challenges, it remains a key focus for educators.

Jonas E Salk Elementary School is situated in a vibrant suburban community where families can take advantage of local parks, shops, and other neighborhood resources to enhance their children’s learning experiences beyond the classroom.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.3%
Math vs. State Avg-4.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.1 pts
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected+10.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,764

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: 34%).

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 45.6%
School
State
47.6%
ELA Proficiency 42.0%
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
56%
ELA
51%
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: 6.1/10.

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
6.6/10
56th percentile in IN
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
60%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

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 Henry P Fieler Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST MARY CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Crown Point), which scores slightly 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 3.6
FOREST RIDGE ACADEMY Schererville 1.7 mi 8.3
Edgar L Miller Elementary School Merrillville 2.3 mi 4.4
Merrillville Intermediate School Merrillville 2.4 mi 4.9
Eagle Park Community School Crown Point 2.6 mi 6.1
HAPPY DAYS LEARNING CENTER Merrillville 2.1 mi
HAPPY DAYS CHILD CARE CENTER Merrillville 2.4 mi
Pierce Middle School Merrillville 2.2 mi 4.7
Henry P Fieler Elementary School Merrillville 2.5 mi 8.1
Higher Institute of Arts & Tech Merrillville 2.7 mi 5.3
Merrillville High School Merrillville 2.5 mi 5.9
Timothy Ball Elementary School Crown Point 3.4 mi 5.5
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 5.1
Colonel John Wheeler Middle School Crown Point 4.2 mi 6.7
Peifer Elementary School Schererville 3.3 mi 5.2
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Jonas E Salk 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
Adams Central Elementary School Monroe, IN 6.6
Amelia Earhart Elementary School Lafayette, IN 6.6
Andrew J Brown Academy Indianapolis, IN 6.6
Beiger Elementary School Mishawaka, IN 6.6
Concord West Side Elem School Elkhart, IN 6.6
Frances Slocum Elem School Marion, IN 6.6

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 is ranked #804 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

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

Jonas E Salk Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Jonas E Salk Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jonas E Salk Elementary School has 45.6% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

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
593
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
59.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
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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