Below Average
#1710 of 1,823 schools in IN
Judith Morton Johnston Elementary
Elementary School · School Town of Highland
8220 Fifth St, Highland, IN 46322
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher
25.1:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher
25.1:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Highland
#6 of 6
public schools
Indiana elementary schools
#979 of 1,047
In district
#6 of 6
School Town of Highland
About Judith Morton Johnston Elementary
Judith Morton Johnston Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Highland, Indiana, in Lake County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 376 students with a student-teacher ratio of 25.1 to 1. Located in a large suburban area, the school benefits from its surroundings, offering both community resources and a quieter setting for learning.
Judith Morton Johnston Elementary focuses on providing a well-rounded education despite having lower academic scores compared to other schools in Indiana. In state assessments, 30% of students were proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 41% were proficient or above in Math. Science proficiency was notably low at 0%, indicating areas for improvement and potential growth.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.2 out of 10, reflecting room for academic development across various subjects. With a dedicated team of 15 full-time equivalent teachers, the school aims to support students through tailored educational programs and community partnerships. Judith Morton Johnston Elementary stands in a large suburban area, offering its students a mix of urban amenities and small-town charm.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Judith Morton Johnston Elementary is 25.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Judith Morton Johnston Elementary — Students at Judith Morton Johnston Elementary score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 15 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: 3.6/10.
How Judith Morton Johnston Elementary Compares
See how Judith Morton Johnston Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 47.18% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 34.54% (2025).
Location
8220 Fifth St, Highland, IN 46322
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Judith Morton Johnston Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MORNING STAR ACADEMY (rated 8.2/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Hammond), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mildred Merkley Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, OUR LADY OF GRACE SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Highland, see our Highland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| OUR LADY OF GRACE SCHOOL Highland | 0.5 mi | 7.0 |
| HIGHLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Highland | 0.8 mi | 6.8 |
| MORNING STAR ACADEMY Hammond | 1.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Highland High School Highland | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Highland Middle School Highland | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| BIBLE BAPTIST SCHOOL Highland | 1.1 mi | — |
| Joseph Hess Elementary School Hammond | 1.1 mi | 2.7 |
| Mildred Merkley Elementary School Highland | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Southridge Elementary School Highland | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Morton Elementary School Hammond | 1.6 mi | 2.5 |
| Charles N Scott Middle School Hammond | 1.5 mi | 3.3 |
| Excel Center - Hammond Hammond | 1.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Morton Senior High School Hammond | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Allen J Warren Elementary School Highland | 2.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Warren G Harding Elementary School Hammond | 2.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Ernest R Elliott Elementary School Munster | 1.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Beiriger Elementary School Griffith | 2.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Griffth Jr/Sr High School Griffith | 2.4 mi | 4.5 |
| CALUMET CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Griffith | 2.3 mi | 8.7 |
| Thomas Jefferson Elementary School Hammond | 2.3 mi | 4.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46322 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,219
Median Home Value
$219,500
Median Rent
$1,202/mo
Population
23,749
College Educated
30.1%
Homeownership
77.2%
Avg Commute
25.8 min
Poverty Rate
9.7%
Median Age
44.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Judith Morton Johnston Elementary has a median household income of $76,219. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $219,500, with a median rent of $1,202/month. The local poverty rate of 9.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Parker Elementary School New Castle, IN | 4.0 |
| Shawswick Elementary School Bedford, IN | 4.0 |
| Sycamore Elementary School Kokomo, IN | 4.0 |
| East Side Elementary School Edinburgh, IN | 4.1 |
| George L Myers Elementary School Portage, IN | 4.1 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Winona Lake, IN | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Judith Morton Johnston Elementary
What grades does Judith Morton Johnston Elementary serve?
Judith Morton Johnston Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Judith Morton Johnston Elementary?
Judith Morton Johnston Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 376 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Judith Morton Johnston Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Judith Morton Johnston Elementary is 25.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Judith Morton Johnston Elementary rank in IN?
Judith Morton Johnston Elementary is ranked #1710 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Judith Morton Johnston Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Judith Morton Johnston Elementary has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Judith Morton Johnston Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Judith Morton Johnston Elementary has 50.5% math proficiency and 38.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Judith Morton Johnston Elementary a charter school?
No, Judith Morton Johnston Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Judith Morton Johnston Elementary a Title I school?
No, Judith Morton Johnston Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Judith Morton Johnston Elementary?
46.3% of students at Judith Morton Johnston Elementary 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 (1,694/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Highland). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 376
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lake County
- Phone
- (219) 923-2428
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
School Town of Highland- District Enrollment
- 3,069
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,938
- District Rank
- #6 of 6
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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