Needs Improvement
#1742 of 1,823 schools in IN
Joseph Hess Elementary School
Elementary School · School City of Hammond
3640 Orchard Dr, Hammond, IN 46323
Enrollment
686
Student-Teacher
19.1:1
Score
3.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
686
Student-Teacher
19.1:1
Score
3.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Indiana schools
#1,742 of 1,823
In Hammond
#10 of 17
public schools
In district
#10 of 16
School City of Hammond
Shortlisting around Joseph Hess 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.
Joseph Hess Elementary School
Elementary School in Hammond · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Charles N Scott Middle School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Morton Senior High School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Joseph Hess Elementary School
Joseph Hess Elementary School is a public elementary school in Hammond, IN, part of School City of Hammond. Joseph Hess Elementary School serves approximately 686 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 19.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Joseph Hess Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,742 of 1,823 schools in IN.
Structured state assessment records for Joseph Hess Elementary School show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 3.1
- IN avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
39% of students at Joseph Hess Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Joseph Hess Elementary School — Students at Joseph Hess Elementary School score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 40 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: 3.8/10.
How Joseph Hess Elementary School Compares
See how Joseph Hess Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
3640 Orchard Dr, Hammond, IN 46323
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Joseph Hess Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MORNING STAR ACADEMY (rated 8.2/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is OUR LADY OF GRACE SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Highland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HIGHLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Highland), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hammond, see our Hammond schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Charles N Scott Middle School Hammond | 0.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Morton Senior High School Hammond | 0.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Excel Center - Hammond Hammond | 0.9 mi | 2.4 |
| Judith Morton Johnston Elementary Highland | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| BIBLE BAPTIST SCHOOL Highland | 1.4 mi | — |
| MORNING STAR ACADEMY Hammond | 1.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Warren G Harding Elementary School Hammond | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| OUR LADY OF GRACE SCHOOL Highland | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Morton Elementary School Hammond | 1.4 mi | 2.5 |
| HIGHLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Highland | 1.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Southridge Elementary School Highland | 2.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Highland High School Highland | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Highland Middle School Highland | 2.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Mildred Merkley Elementary School Highland | 2.4 mi | 6.2 |
| West Side Leadership Academy Gary | 2.2 mi | 5.9 |
| CALUMET CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Griffith | 2.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Calumet New Tech High School Gary | 2.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Griffth Jr/Sr High School Griffith | 2.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Beiriger Elementary School Griffith | 3.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Allen J Warren Elementary School Highland | 3.0 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46323 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,906
Median Home Value
$149,200
Median Rent
$1,189/mo
Population
23,184
College Educated
15.5%
Homeownership
66.6%
Avg Commute
23.6 min
Poverty Rate
15.2%
Median Age
36.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Emmons Elementary School Mishawaka, IN | 3.1 |
| Longfellow New Tech Elementary Sch Gary, IN | 3.1 |
| Merle J Abbett Elementary School Fort Wayne, IN | 3.1 |
| Valley Mills Elementary School Indianapolis, IN | 3.1 |
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary School Hammond, IN | 3.0 |
| Anderson Elementary School Madison, IN | 3.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Joseph Hess Elementary School
What grades does Joseph Hess Elementary School serve?
Joseph Hess Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Joseph Hess Elementary School?
Joseph Hess Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 686 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Joseph Hess Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Joseph Hess Elementary School is 19.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Joseph Hess Elementary School rank in IN?
Joseph Hess Elementary School ranks #1,742 of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Joseph Hess Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Joseph Hess Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 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 Joseph Hess Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Joseph Hess Elementary School has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Joseph Hess Elementary School a charter school?
No, Joseph Hess Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Joseph Hess Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Joseph Hess Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Joseph Hess Elementary School?
59.3% of students at Joseph Hess 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 686
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 59.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lake County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 38.8%
- Phone
- (219) 989-7355
Resources & Links
District
School City of Hammond- District Enrollment
- 11,275
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,879
- District Rank
- #10 of 16
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 rateRelated 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.