Needs Improvement
#1814 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
2.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
686
Student-Teacher
19.1:1
Score
2.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hammond
#15 of 17
public schools
Indiana elementary schools
#1,042 of 1,047
In district
#14 of 16
School City of Hammond
About Joseph Hess Elementary School
Joseph Hess Elementary School is a regular public school located in Hammond, Indiana, serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 686 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 19.1:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child’s learning needs. Joseph Hess has 36 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a supportive educational environment.
Academically, Joseph Hess Elementary School is ranked at #1696 out of 1831 schools in Indiana, placing it in the 7th percentile overall. The school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 3.8 out of 10, with particular focus areas being reading and math proficiency scores, where only 17% of students are proficient or above. Science performance shows no students reaching proficiency levels as of recent data.
Joseph Hess Elementary School is situated in a large suburban area within Lake County, offering a community setting that supports diverse educational needs. While there may be room for academic growth, the school remains committed to student development and providing essential learning resources for its vibrant community.
Score Breakdown
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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 18 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: 2.2/10.
How Joseph Hess Elementary School Compares
See how Joseph Hess Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 15.02% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 11.71% (2025).
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 Mildred Merkley Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Highland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, OUR LADY OF GRACE SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 1.5 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 | 3.3 |
| Morton Senior High School Hammond | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Excel Center - Hammond Hammond | 0.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Judith Morton Johnston Elementary Highland | 1.1 mi | 4.0 |
| 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 | 4.9 |
| 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 | 6.4 |
| Highland High School Highland | 2.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Highland Middle School Highland | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Mildred Merkley Elementary School Highland | 2.4 mi | 7.2 |
| West Side Leadership Academy Gary | 2.2 mi | 5.2 |
| CALUMET CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Griffith | 2.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Calumet New Tech High School Gary | 2.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Griffth Jr/Sr High School Griffith | 2.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Beiriger Elementary School Griffith | 3.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Allen J Warren Elementary School Highland | 3.0 mi | 7.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Joseph Hess Elementary School has a median household income of $56,906. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $149,200, with a median rent of $1,189/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| North White Elementary School Monon, IN | 2.8 |
| Morton Elementary School Hammond, IN | 2.5 |
| North Side Elementary School Union City, IN | 3.1 |
| Lew Wallace Elementary School Hammond, IN | 2.3 |
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary School Hammond, IN | 3.2 |
| Fairlawn Elementary School Evansville, IN | 3.3 |
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 is ranked #1814 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Joseph Hess Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Joseph Hess Elementary School has a composite rating of 2.7 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 Joseph Hess Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Joseph Hess Elementary School has 17.5% math proficiency and 15.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (3,823/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hammond). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (219) 989-7355
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
School City of Hammond- District Enrollment
- 11,275
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,879
- District Rank
- #14 of 16
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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