Skip to main content

Average

#884 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 48% in state

Joy Elementary School

Elementary School · Michigan City Area Schools

1600 E Coolspring Ave, Michigan City, IN 46360

Enrollment

426

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#884 of 1,823

In Michigan City

#3 of 11

public schools

In district

#3 of 11

Michigan City Area Schools

School environment

9.1 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Joy 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.

Joy Elementary School

6.5/10

Elementary School in Michigan City · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Queen of All Saints School/diocese

8.2/10

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

Edgewood Elementary School

5.1/10

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

About Joy Elementary School

Joy Elementary School is a public elementary school in Michigan City, IN, part of Michigan City Area Schools. Joy Elementary School serves approximately 426 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Joy Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #884 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for Joy Elementary School show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts above district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • IN avg 6.6

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.44 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency36.2% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.4% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg-15.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.8 pts
Overall Proficiency35% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected+1.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
Resources & Environment9.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,106
Chronic Absenteeism20.2%

Joy Elementary School — Students at Joy Elementary School score 35% 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

61.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 52.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.9% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 52.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.7% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 40 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
72%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
78%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
60%
ELA
65%
2015
Math
64%
ELA
64%
2016
Math
60%
ELA
63%
2017
Math
56%
ELA
61%
2018
Math
55%
ELA
44%
2019
Math
55%
ELA
44%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
33%
2025
Math
36.3%
ELA
34.9%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How Joy Elementary School Compares

See how Joy Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
52th percentile in IN
Academic
6.1/10
Average
Growth
5.8/10
Average
Environment
9.1/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.2%

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

1600 E Coolspring Ave, Michigan City, IN 46360

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Joy Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. New Buffalo Elementary School (rated 9.5/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby New Buffalo), which scores notably higher. Another option is QUEEN OF ALL SAINTS SCHOOL/DIOCESE (rated 8.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, F Willard Crichfield Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Laporte), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Michigan City, see our Michigan City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.7 mi
School Distance Rating
QUEEN OF ALL SAINTS SCHOOL/DIOCESE Michigan City 0.7 mi 8.2
Edgewood Elementary School Michigan City 0.7 mi 5.1
Barker Middle School Michigan City 0.9 mi 4.9
Michigan City High School Michigan City 1.3 mi 5.3
Marsh Elementary School Michigan City 1.3 mi 6.5
ST STANISLAUS SCHOOL Michigan City 1.6 mi 8.0
Martin T Krueger Middle School Michigan City 1.7 mi 5.6
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Michigan City 1.9 mi 7.7
Knapp Elementary School Michigan City 1.7 mi 8.1
MARQUETTE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Michigan City 1.9 mi 7.9
Lake Hills Elementary School Michigan City 2.4 mi 3.4
Coolspring Elementary School Michigan City 3.0 mi 5.0
NOTRE DAME CATHOLIC SCHOOL/DIOCESE Michigan City 3.9 mi 6.1
Pine Elementary School Michigan City 3.7 mi 6.8
Renaissance Academy Charter School Laporte 4.8 mi 5.9
LaPorte Juvenile Correctional Laporte 5.5 mi 6.0
Springfield Elementary School Michigan City 6.1 mi 4.4
F Willard Crichfield Elementary Laporte 6.8 mi 8.2
New Buffalo Elementary School New Buffalo 8.5 mi 9.5
Westville Elementary School Westville 10.7 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46360 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,641

Median Home Value

$155,900

Median Rent

$924/mo

Population

43,997

College Educated

22.6%

Homeownership

68.3%

Avg Commute

22.7 min

Poverty Rate

17.3%

Median Age

40.8

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Converse Elementary School Converse, IN 6.5
Grandview Elementary School Connersville, IN 6.5
Kennedy Academy South Bend, IN 6.5
Lakeview Elementary School Bloomington, IN 6.5
Lancaster Central School Bluffton, IN 6.5
Madison S.T.E.A.M. Academy South Bend, IN 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Joy Elementary School

What grades does Joy Elementary School serve?

Joy Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Joy Elementary School?

Joy Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 426 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Joy Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Joy Elementary School is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Joy Elementary School rank in IN?

Joy Elementary School ranks #884 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Joy Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Joy Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Joy Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Joy Elementary School has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Joy Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Joy Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Joy Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Joy Elementary School?

61.5% of students at Joy 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
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
426
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
LaPorte County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.2%

District

Michigan City Area Schools
District Enrollment
5,022
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,106
District Rank
#3 of 11

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 rate

Related 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.