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Average

#1467 of 1,823 schools in IN

River Forest Middle School

Middle School · River Forest Community Sch Corp

3300 Indiana St, Hobart, IN 46342

Enrollment

374

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

5.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hobart

#6 of 9

public schools

Indiana middle schools

#266 of 330

In district

#2 of 4

River Forest Community Sch Corp

About River Forest Middle School

River Forest Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Hobart, Indiana, in Lake County. The school serves students from sixth through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 374 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each student succeed.

River Forest Middle School is part of a larger suburban setting, offering a blend of urban amenities with a more relaxed community feel. The academic performance at River Forest places it in the lower quartile among Indiana schools; however, the school focuses on continuous improvement and development for its students. In recent state assessments, 17% of students were proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while only 12% scored proficient or higher in Math.

Science proficiency was notably low at 0%, indicating areas where the school is working hard to enhance educational outcomes. River Forest Middle School's location in a large suburban area provides access to various community resources and activities, supporting students' holistic development beyond the classroom.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at River Forest Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.1%
Math vs. State Avg-28.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.5 pts
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-7.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment5.0Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,457

River Forest Middle School — Students at River Forest Middle School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 13.3%
School
State
38.2%
ELA Proficiency 24.8%
School
State
40.5%

Based on 15 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
24%
ELA
26%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
26%
2022
Math
14%
2025
Math
11.3%
ELA
24.1%

* 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 River Forest Middle School Compares

See how River Forest Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
20th percentile in IN
Academic
3.6/10
3.6/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
5.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

3300 Indiana St, Hobart, IN 46342

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering River Forest Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Hobart Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Bailly Middle School (rated 3.6/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Gary), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hobart, see our Hobart schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
River Forest High School Hobart 0.1 mi 6.1
Early Learning Center-George Earle Hobart 0.9 mi 4.4
Alexander Hamilton Elementary Sch Lake Station 0.9 mi 3.9
Henry S Evans Elementary School Lake Station 1.1 mi 3.8
Veterans Elementary School at Mundell Hobart 1.5 mi 5.8
John I Meister Elementary School Hobart 1.2 mi 2.7
Gary Career Center Gary 1.8 mi
Gary Virtual Academy Gary 1.8 mi 4.2
Mary M Bethune Early Child Dev Ctr Gary 2.1 mi 2.6
Hobart Middle School Hobart 2.4 mi 5.8
Thomas A Edison Jr-Sr HS Lake Station 2.2 mi 3.5
Liberty Elementary School Hobart 2.3 mi 7.4
Joan Martin Elementary School Hobart 2.8 mi 5.2
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hobart 2.8 mi 7.0
Daniel Hale Williams Elem Sch Gary 2.8 mi 5.0
Charter School of the Dunes Gary 3.1 mi 5.8
Bailly Middle School Gary 2.8 mi 3.6
Virgil I Bailey Elementary School Lake Station 2.9 mi 4.2
MY SAFARI PREPARATORY ACADEMY GEORGIA ST. CAMPUS Gary 3.2 mi
MY SAFARI PREPARATORY ACADEMY Gary 3.0 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46342 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,163

Median Home Value

$193,400

Median Rent

$1,110/mo

Population

32,525

College Educated

21.4%

Homeownership

75.1%

Avg Commute

27.8 min

Poverty Rate

14.7%

Median Age

38.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding River Forest Middle School has a median household income of $72,163. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $193,400, with a median rent of $1,110/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Barker Middle School Michigan City, IN 5.0
Bell Intermediate Academy Martinsville, IN 5.0
Centerville-Abington Jr High Sch Centerville, IN 5.0
Lewis Cass Junior High School Walton, IN 5.0
Monrovia Middle School Monrovia, IN 5.0
Union County Middle School Liberty, IN 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about River Forest Middle School

What grades does River Forest Middle School serve?

River Forest Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend River Forest Middle School?

River Forest Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 374 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at River Forest Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at River Forest Middle School is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does River Forest Middle School rank in IN?

River Forest Middle School is ranked #1467 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is River Forest Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

River Forest Middle School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 River Forest Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, River Forest Middle School has 13.3% math proficiency and 24.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is River Forest Middle School a charter school?

No, River Forest Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is River Forest Middle School a Title I school?

No, River Forest Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for River Forest Middle School?

74.9% of students at River Forest Middle 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

City Safety
High (2,430/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hobart). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
374
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Lake County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

River Forest Community Sch Corp
District Enrollment
1,706
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,637
District Rank
#2 of 4

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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